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Average

#1160 of 2,102 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

6.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Milwaukee

#33 of 176

public schools

Wisconsin high schools

#155 of 499

In district

#26 of 154

Milwaukee School District

School environment

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About South Division High

South Division High School serves grades 9–12 in Milwaukee, with an enrollment of 842 students. The school operates as a regular public high school with a student-teacher ratio of 12.6 to 1, supported by 67 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, South Division is working with significant challenges.

The school's MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 places it in the 36th percentile statewide, ranking 1,364th among Wisconsin's 2,112 schools. Proficiency rates are notably low, with only 6 percent of students meeting proficiency benchmarks in both English language arts and math. These results suggest the school is focused on building foundational skills and supporting student academic growth across core subjects.

Despite these academic headwinds, South Division remains a neighborhood anchor in Milwaukee's urban landscape. For families considering this school, understanding the current performance level is important context for making educational decisions. Parents may want to explore what targeted support and resources the school offers to help students improve proficiency and advance toward graduation and post-secondary readiness.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at South Division High are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.3Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+3.75 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics4.3Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)11%
vs. Expected-0.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
College Readiness3.2Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation6.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,369

South Division High — Students at South Division High score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 11%).

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 6.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 6.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from WI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
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: 9.3/10.

How South Division High Compares

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

Overall Score
6.3/10
45th percentile in WI
Academic
4.3/10
4.3/10
Growth
9.3/10
Above average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
89%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
67 teachers

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 6.7/10), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, CRISTO REY JESUIT MILWAUKEE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.6/10, 0.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 6.7
Forest Home Elementary Milwaukee 0.2 mi 5.9
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 4.6
Kagel Elementary Milwaukee 0.6 mi 4.0
Allen-Field Elementary Milwaukee 0.5 mi 5.4
Bruce Guadalupe Milwaukee 0.7 mi 9.1
CRISTO REY JESUIT MILWAUKEE HIGH SCHOOL Milwaukee 0.8 mi 5.6
Mitchell Elementary Milwaukee 0.6 mi 4.6
CHRIST-ST PETER LUTHERAN SCHOOL Milwaukee 0.6 mi 6.1
Longfellow Elementary Milwaukee 0.7 mi 4.3
Lincoln Avenue Elementary Milwaukee 0.8 mi 5.2
Carmen Middle School South Milwaukee 0.9 mi 8.8
Stellar Collegiate Charter School Milwaukee 0.9 mi 6.3
ST JOSAPHAT PARISH SCHOOL Milwaukee 0.9 mi 6.0
United Community Center Acosta Middle School Milwaukee 0.8 mi 6.0
Rogers Street Academy Milwaukee 0.8 mi 5.4
Vieau Elementary Milwaukee 1.0 mi 4.4

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding South Division High has a median household income of $43,645. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $106,000, with a median rent of $964/month. The area has a poverty rate of 32.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
EDGEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL OF THE SACRED HEART Madison, WI 6.3
Monona Grove High Monona, WI 6.3
West Salem High West Salem, WI 6.3
Jefferson High Jefferson, WI 6.2
South High Waukesha, WI 6.2
Wilmot High Wilmot, WI 6.2

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 is ranked #1160 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is South Division High's MySchoolScout rating?

South Division High has a composite rating of 6.3 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at South Division High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Division High has 6.3% math proficiency and 6.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (4,164/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Milwaukee). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Milwaukee School District
District Enrollment
66,864
Schools in District
156
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,815
District Rank
#26 of 154

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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