Average
#1415 of 2,102 schools in WI
South Milwaukee High
High School · South Milwaukee School District
801 15th Ave, South Milwaukee, WI 53172
Enrollment
979
Student-Teacher
14.2:1
Score
5.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
979
Student-Teacher
14.2:1
Score
5.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In South Milwaukee
#4 of 6
public schools
Wisconsin high schools
#222 of 499
In district
#4 of 6
South Milwaukee School District
About South Milwaukee High
South Milwaukee High serves 979 students in grades 9 through 12 with a student-teacher ratio of 14.2:1, supported by 69 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks #1307 out of 2112 Wisconsin high schools, placing it in the 38th percentile statewide with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10, indicating opportunities for continued academic growth and development. Located at 801 15th Avenue in South Milwaukee, the school draws from a community where families have a median household income of $68,801 and median home values around $200,500.
About one in four residents holds a bachelor's degree or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 13.5%, reflecting a working-class community with mixed economic circumstances. The relatively manageable class sizes, with fewer than 15 students per teacher, provide opportunities for more individualized attention as students work toward their graduation goals. The school serves as an important educational anchor for local families seeking a comprehensive high school experience.
South Milwaukee High operates within Milwaukee County's large suburban setting, serving a diverse ZIP code population of over 20,000 residents in an established community that balances accessibility to urban amenities with a more relaxed suburban atmosphere.
Score Breakdown
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South Milwaukee High — Students at South Milwaukee High score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
51.5%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.1/10.
How South Milwaukee High Compares
See how South Milwaukee High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 28% (2019) to 24% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 31% (2019) to 28% (2021).
Location
801 15th Ave, South Milwaukee, WI 53172
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Milwaukee High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ST PAULS LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Cudahy), which scores notably higher. Another option is Blakewood Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, GUIDANCE ACADEMY (rated 6.9/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in South Milwaukee, see our South Milwaukee schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| South Milwaukee Middle South Milwaukee | 0.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Rawson Elementary South Milwaukee | 0.4 mi | 4.8 |
| GUIDANCE ACADEMY South Milwaukee | 0.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Mitchell Elementary Cudahy | 1.0 mi | 5.6 |
| E W Luther Elementary South Milwaukee | 0.8 mi | 6.4 |
| DIVINE MERCY SCHOOL South Milwaukee | 0.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Jones Elementary Cudahy | 1.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Cudahy Middle Cudahy | 1.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Lakeview Elementary South Milwaukee | 1.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Blakewood Elementary South Milwaukee | 1.7 mi | 7.0 |
| ZION EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL South Milwaukee | 1.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Kosciuszko Elementary Cudahy | 2.0 mi | 6.6 |
| GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Oak Creek | 2.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Cudahy High Cudahy | 2.5 mi | 4.1 |
| Carollton Elementary Oak Creek | 2.8 mi | 6.9 |
| ST PAULS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Cudahy | 2.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Lincoln Elementary Cudahy | 3.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Willow Glen Primary School Saint Francis | 3.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Edgewood Elementary Oak Creek | 2.8 mi | 6.4 |
| ST MATTHEW SCHOOL Oak Creek | 3.3 mi | 6.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 53172 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$70,146
Median Home Value
$216,400
Median Rent
$1,014/mo
Population
20,547
College Educated
27.7%
Homeownership
66.8%
Avg Commute
25 min
Poverty Rate
12.5%
Median Age
40.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Milwaukee High has a median household income of $70,146. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $216,400, with a median rent of $1,014/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.5%. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Badger High Lake Geneva, WI | 5.8 |
| East High Wausau, WI | 5.8 |
| Fort Atkinson High Fort Atkinson, WI | 5.8 |
| Harold S Vincent School of Agricultural Science Milwaukee, WI | 5.8 |
| West De Pere High De Pere, WI | 5.8 |
| Baraboo High Baraboo, WI | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Milwaukee High
What grades does South Milwaukee High serve?
South Milwaukee High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend South Milwaukee High?
South Milwaukee High has an enrollment of approximately 979 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Milwaukee High?
The student-teacher ratio at South Milwaukee High is 14.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Milwaukee High rank in WI?
South Milwaukee High is ranked #1415 out of 2,102 schools in WI.
What is South Milwaukee High's MySchoolScout rating?
South Milwaukee High has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Milwaukee High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Milwaukee High has 26.0% math proficiency and 29.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Milwaukee High a charter school?
No, South Milwaukee High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Milwaukee High a Title I school?
No, South Milwaukee High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Milwaukee High?
51.5% of students at South Milwaukee 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.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 35 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 32 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 43 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,457/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (South Milwaukee). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 979
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 69
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 51.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Milwaukee County
- Phone
- (414) 766-5100
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
South Milwaukee School District- District Enrollment
- 2,783
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,914
- District Rank
- #4 of 6
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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