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Below Average

#1810 of 2,105 schools in WI

South Division High

High School · Milwaukee School District

1515 W Lapham Blvd, Milwaukee, WI 53204

Enrollment

842

Student-Teacher

12.6:1

Score

4.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Wisconsin schools

#1,810 of 2,105

In Milwaukee

#110 of 176

public schools

In district

#93 of 154

Milwaukee School District

Academic growth

8.1 / 10

Excellent

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South Division High

4.5/10

High School in Milwaukee · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

South Accelerated Academy

6.1/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Forest Home Elementary

6.2/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About South Division High

South Division High is a public high school in Milwaukee, WI, part of Milwaukee School District. South Division High serves approximately 842 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 12.6:1 student-teacher ratio. South Division High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,810 of 2,105 schools in WI.

Structured state assessment records for South Division High show 7% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 9% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

How it compares0.5 pts below district
  • This school 4.5 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.0
  • WI avg 5.5

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at South Division High sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

99% of students at South Division High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.09 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics3.2Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency10% (2021 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency10% (2021 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)19% (model expectation from 2021 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-9.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
College Readiness3.9Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate49%
AP Participation6.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,815
Chronic Absenteeism99.2%

South Division High — Students at South Division High score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

89.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 7.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 8.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 test records from WI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
22%
ELA
26%
2010
Math
16%
ELA
20%
2011
Math
6%
ELA
4%
2012
Math
5%
ELA
6%
2013
Math
5%
ELA
10%
2014
Math
2%
ELA
7%
2015
Math
2%
ELA
5%
2016
Math
6%
ELA
10%
2017
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2018
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2019
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2020*
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
10%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.1/10.

How South Division High Compares

See how South Division High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.5/10
14th percentile in WI
Academic
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
8.1/10
Excellent
Environment
2.4/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
1
State avg: 2.4
Sports
3
2 boys' · 1 girls'
Advanced STEM
3/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
89%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
67 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
99.2%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs1 AP course offered
6.5% participation·State avg: 2.4 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics3sports offered
2 boys'·1 girls'·3 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses3 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1515 W Lapham Blvd, Milwaukee, WI 53204

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Division High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. South Accelerated Academy (rated 6.1/10), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CRISTO REY JESUIT MILWAUKEE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.6/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Milwaukee, see our Milwaukee schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.0 mi
School Distance Rating
South Accelerated Academy Milwaukee 0.0 mi 6.1
Forest Home Elementary Milwaukee 0.2 mi 6.2
NOTRE DAME SCHOOL OF MILWAUKEE Milwaukee 0.4 mi 5.0
NOTRE DAME SCHOOL OF MILWAUKEE Milwaukee 0.4 mi 5.4
ST ANTHONY SCHOOL Milwaukee 0.4 mi 3.8
Hayes Bilingual School Milwaukee 0.5 mi 5.5
Kagel Elementary Milwaukee 0.6 mi 4.2
Allen-Field Elementary Milwaukee 0.5 mi 4.6
Bruce Guadalupe Milwaukee 0.7 mi 7.8
CRISTO REY JESUIT MILWAUKEE HIGH SCHOOL Milwaukee 0.8 mi 5.6
Mitchell Elementary Milwaukee 0.6 mi 3.8
CHRIST-ST PETER LUTHERAN SCHOOL Milwaukee 0.6 mi 6.1
Longfellow Elementary Milwaukee 0.7 mi 4.1
Lincoln Avenue Elementary Milwaukee 0.8 mi 5.3
Carmen Middle School South Milwaukee 0.9 mi 6.2
Stellar Collegiate Charter School Milwaukee 0.9 mi 7.7
ST JOSAPHAT PARISH SCHOOL Milwaukee 0.9 mi 6.0
United Community Center Acosta Middle School Milwaukee 0.8 mi 7.6
Rogers Street Academy Milwaukee 0.8 mi 5.6
Vieau Elementary Milwaukee 1.0 mi 5.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 53204 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$43,645

Median Home Value

$106,000

Median Rent

$964/mo

Population

40,008

College Educated

14.6%

Homeownership

26.4%

Avg Commute

20.9 min

Poverty Rate

32.6%

Median Age

29.1

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Ashwaubenon High Green Bay, WI 4.5
Marinette High Marinette, WI 4.5
Medford High Medford, WI 4.5
Portage High Portage, WI 4.5
Rice Lake High Rice Lake, WI 4.5
Edgerton High Edgerton, WI 4.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Division High

What grades does South Division High serve?

South Division High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend South Division High?

South Division High has an enrollment of approximately 842 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South Division High?

The student-teacher ratio at South Division High is 12.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Division High rank in WI?

South Division High ranks #1,810 of 2,105 schools in WI.

What is South Division High's MySchoolScout rating?

South Division High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at South Division High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, South Division High has 7% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 9% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

Is South Division High a charter school?

No, South Division High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is South Division High a Title I school?

No, South Division High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Division High?

89.3% of students at South Division High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
87 Very Walkable
Transit Score
50 Good Transit
Bike Score
55 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
842
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
67
Free/Reduced Lunch
89.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Milwaukee County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
99.2%
4-Year Graduation
49.0%

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