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
Enrollment
842
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
6.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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South Division High — Students at South Division High score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 11%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
89.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WI EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from WI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 2.5% (2019) to 10% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 2.5% (2019) to 10% (2021).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (414) 902-8300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Milwaukee School District- District Enrollment
- 66,864
- Schools in District
- 156
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,815
- District Rank
- #26 of 154
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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