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Average

#1603 of 2,105 schools in WI

South High

High School · Waukesha School District

401 E Roberta Ave, Waukesha, WI 53186

Enrollment

879

Student-Teacher

11.9:1

Score

5.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Wisconsin schools

#1,603 of 2,105

In Waukesha

#24 of 27

public schools

In district

#23 of 26

Waukesha School District

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South High

5.1/10

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

Waukesha Academy of Health Professions

5.0/10

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

Waukesha Engineering Preparatory Academy

6.7/10

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

About South High

South High is a public high school in Waukesha, WI, part of Waukesha School District. South High serves approximately 879 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio. South High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,603 of 2,105 schools in WI.

Structured state assessment records for South High show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.1 · Average
  • District avg 5.3
  • WI avg 5.5

What Parents Should Know

39% of students at South 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 Progress2.6Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-3.65 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics3.1Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency16% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency27% (2021 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency22% (2021 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)41% (model expectation from 2021 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-19.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
College Readiness9.2Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate87%
AP Participation57.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.4Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,969
Chronic Absenteeism38.5%

South High — Students at South High score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

52.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 32.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 36.9% (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
66%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
63%
ELA
68%
2011
Math
34%
ELA
37%
2012
Math
43%
ELA
32%
2013
Math
32%
ELA
34%
2014
Math
28%
ELA
36%
2015
Math
27%
ELA
30%
2016
Math
27%
ELA
29%
2017
Math
23%
ELA
29%
2018
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2019
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2020*
Math
16%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
16%
ELA
27%

* 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: 2.6/10.

How South High Compares

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

Overall Score
5.1/10
24th percentile in WI
Academic
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.6/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.4/10
Below Average
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.4
Sports
26
13 boys' · 13 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
53%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
74 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
38.5%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
57.5% participation·State avg: 2.4 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics26sports offered
13 boys'·13 girls'·53 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 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

401 E Roberta Ave, Waukesha, WI 53186

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Waukesha Engineering Preparatory Academy (rated 6.7/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Waukesha East Alternative School (rated 6.2/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Waukesha Transition Academy (rated 5.2/10, 1.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Waukesha, see our Waukesha schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Waukesha Academy of Health Professions Waukesha 0.0 mi 5.0
Waukesha Engineering Preparatory Academy Waukesha 0.1 mi 6.7
WAUKESHA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Waukesha 0.5 mi 7.5
Waukesha STEM Academy Waukesha 0.7 mi 8.4
Heyer Elementary Waukesha 0.7 mi 6.6
eAchieve Elementary Waukesha 1.0 mi 6.4
eAchieve Academy - Wisconsin Waukesha 1.0 mi 3.7
Les Paul Middle Waukesha 1.1 mi 7.9
Hadfield Elementary Waukesha 1.2 mi 5.6
La Casa de Esperanza Charter School Waukesha 1.3 mi 8.2
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Waukesha 1.5 mi 6.2
White Rock School Waukesha 1.6 mi 8.1
Waukesha East Alternative School Waukesha 1.6 mi 6.2
White Rock Campus Waukesha 1.6 mi 5.4
Waukesha Transition Academy Waukesha 1.6 mi 5.2
Prairie Elementary Waukesha 1.4 mi 8.9
Riverview School Waukesha 2.0 mi
Butler Middle Waukesha 2.0 mi 6.7
MOUNT CALVARY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Waukesha 2.1 mi 5.9
Banting Elementary Waukesha 2.6 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 53186 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$74,596

Median Home Value

$277,800

Median Rent

$1,180/mo

Population

33,264

College Educated

39.1%

Homeownership

54.8%

Avg Commute

18.9 min

Poverty Rate

9.6%

Median Age

37.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
MILWAUKEE LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Milwaukee, WI 5.1
Reedsburg Area High Reedsburg, WI 5.1
River Falls High River Falls, WI 5.1
Whitnall High Greenfield, WI 5.1
Carmen Mid/Hi Northwest Campus Milwaukee, WI 5.0
East High Wausau, WI 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South High

What grades does South High serve?

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

How many students attend South High?

South High has an enrollment of approximately 879 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South High?

The student-teacher ratio at South High is 11.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South High rank in WI?

South High ranks #1,603 of 2,105 schools in WI.

What is South High's MySchoolScout rating?

South High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 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 High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, South High has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

Is South High a charter school?

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

Is South High a Title I school?

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

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

52.8% of students at South 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
55 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
26 Some Transit
Bike Score
46 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
879
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
74
Free/Reduced Lunch
52.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Waukesha County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
38.5%
4-Year Graduation
87.0%

District

Waukesha School District
District Enrollment
11,318
Schools in District
27
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,969
District Rank
#23 of 26

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