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Average

#1222 of 2,102 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

6.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Waukesha

#19 of 27

public schools

Wisconsin high schools

#168 of 499

In district

#18 of 26

Waukesha School District

School environment

7.2 / 10

Strong

About South High

South High serves 879 students in grades 9-12 in Waukesha, Wisconsin, offering a solid educational foundation with a favorable 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio. With 74 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides personalized attention that helps students navigate their high school years effectively. The school earns a respectable 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #555 out of 2,112 Wisconsin high schools, placing it in the 74th percentile statewide.

This strong performance reflects the school's commitment to student achievement and comprehensive programming for its diverse student body. South High draws students from a stable community where the median household income reaches $69,602 and 42% of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The neighborhood's low poverty rate of 9.1% and median home values of $256,800 indicate a community that values education and invests in its children's futures.

As a regular public high school, South High provides the essential academic preparation students need for post-secondary success, whether pursuing college, career training, or entering the workforce. The school benefits from its location in Waukesha, a small city that combines suburban amenities with close-knit community values, creating an environment where students can thrive academically and socially.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.2Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics3.8Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency16%
Reading/ELA Proficiency27%
Overall Proficiency22%
Expected (poverty-adj.)31%
vs. Expected-9.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
College Readiness9.9Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation57.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.2Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,813

South High — Students at South High score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

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 19.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 27.0%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
22%
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: 3.2/10.

How South High Compares

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

Overall Score
6.2/10
42th percentile in WI
Academic
3.8/10
3.8/10
Growth
3.2/10
Below average
Environment
7.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
53%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
74 teachers

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 Transition Academy (rated 7.0/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Waukesha Engineering Preparatory Academy (rated 5.8/10, 0.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, eAchieve Academy - Wisconsin (rated 5.0/10, 1.0 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 4.8
Waukesha Engineering Preparatory Academy Waukesha 0.1 mi 5.8
WAUKESHA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Waukesha 0.5 mi 7.5
Waukesha STEM Academy Waukesha 0.7 mi 7.7
Heyer Elementary Waukesha 0.7 mi 7.0
eAchieve Elementary Waukesha 1.0 mi 5.2
eAchieve Academy - Wisconsin Waukesha 1.0 mi 5.0
Les Paul Middle Waukesha 1.1 mi 7.7
Hadfield Elementary Waukesha 1.2 mi 7.2
La Casa de Esperanza Charter School Waukesha 1.3 mi 7.5
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Waukesha 1.5 mi 6.2
White Rock School Waukesha 1.6 mi 7.6
Waukesha East Alternative School Waukesha 1.6 mi 4.7
White Rock Campus Waukesha 1.6 mi 6.4
Waukesha Transition Academy Waukesha 1.6 mi 7.0
Prairie Elementary Waukesha 1.4 mi 8.2
Riverview School Waukesha 2.0 mi
Butler Middle Waukesha 2.0 mi 7.0
MOUNT CALVARY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Waukesha 2.1 mi 5.9
Banting Elementary Waukesha 2.6 mi 6.7

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding South High has a median household income of $74,596. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $277,800, with a median rent of $1,180/month. The local poverty rate of 9.6% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
Jefferson High Jefferson, WI 6.2
Wilmot High Wilmot, WI 6.2
EDGEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL OF THE SACRED HEART Madison, WI 6.3
Monona Grove High Monona, WI 6.3
South Division High Milwaukee, WI 6.3
West Salem High West Salem, WI 6.3

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 is ranked #1222 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is South High's MySchoolScout rating?

South High has a composite rating of 6.2 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 High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South High has 19.0% math proficiency and 27.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
Elevated (989/100K)

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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