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Below Average

#1779 of 2,105 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

4.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Wisconsin schools

#1,779 of 2,105

In South Milwaukee

#6 of 6

public schools

In district

#6 of 6

South Milwaukee School District

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South Milwaukee High

4.6/10

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

South Milwaukee Middle

5.1/10

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

Rawson Elementary

5.3/10

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

About South Milwaukee High

South Milwaukee High is a public high school in South Milwaukee, WI, part of South Milwaukee School District. South Milwaukee High serves approximately 979 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 14.2:1 student-teacher ratio. South Milwaukee High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,779 of 2,105 schools in WI.

Structured state assessment records for South Milwaukee High show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

How it compares0.9 pts below WI schools
  • This school 4.6 · Below Average
  • WI avg 5.5

What Parents Should Know

38% of students at South Milwaukee 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 Progress2.1Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-3.98 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics3.7Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency28% (2021 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency26% (2021 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)42% (model expectation from 2021 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-15.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile18th
College Readiness7.7Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate91%
AP Participation24.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.0Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,914
Chronic Absenteeism37.5%

South Milwaukee High — Students at South Milwaukee High score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

51.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 36.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 40.1% (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
75%
ELA
85%
2010
Math
75%
ELA
83%
2011
Math
38%
ELA
38%
2012
Math
38%
ELA
38%
2013
Math
31%
ELA
36%
2014
Math
24%
ELA
34%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2016
Math
28%
ELA
27%
2017
Math
26%
ELA
25%
2018
Math
28%
ELA
31%
2019
Math
28%
ELA
31%
2020*
Math
24%
ELA
28%
2021*
Math
24%
ELA
28%

* 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: 2.1/10.

How South Milwaukee High Compares

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

Overall Score
4.6/10
16th percentile in WI
Academic
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.1/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.0/10
Below Average
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.4
Sports
19
10 boys' · 9 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
52%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
69 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
37.5%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
24.9% participation·State avg: 2.4 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics19sports offered
10 boys'·9 girls'·33 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. E W Luther Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Carollton Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Oak Creek), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Willow Glen Primary School (rated 7.6/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Saint Francis), 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 5.1
Rawson Elementary South Milwaukee 0.4 mi 5.3
GUIDANCE ACADEMY South Milwaukee 0.6 mi 6.9
Mitchell Elementary Cudahy 1.0 mi 7.0
E W Luther Elementary South Milwaukee 0.8 mi 8.9
DIVINE MERCY SCHOOL South Milwaukee 0.9 mi 6.6
Jones Elementary Cudahy 1.3 mi 7.5
Cudahy Middle Cudahy 1.5 mi 5.3
Lakeview Elementary South Milwaukee 1.5 mi 6.6
Blakewood Elementary South Milwaukee 1.7 mi 6.3
ZION EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL South Milwaukee 1.8 mi 4.9
Kosciuszko Elementary Cudahy 2.0 mi 7.2
GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Oak Creek 2.4 mi 6.9
Cudahy High Cudahy 2.5 mi 3.9
Carollton Elementary Oak Creek 2.8 mi 8.2
ST PAULS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Cudahy 2.8 mi 7.5
Lincoln Elementary Cudahy 3.0 mi 5.7
Willow Glen Primary School Saint Francis 3.2 mi 7.6
Edgewood Elementary Oak Creek 2.8 mi 7.1
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
D C Everest High Weston, WI 4.6
Hartford High Hartford, WI 4.6
Menomonie High Menomonie, WI 4.6
Milton High Milton, WI 4.6
New Richmond High New Richmond, WI 4.6
Ashwaubenon High Green Bay, WI 4.5

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 ranks #1,779 of 2,105 schools in WI.

What is South Milwaukee High's MySchoolScout rating?

South Milwaukee High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 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 Milwaukee High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, South Milwaukee High has 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
40 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
32 Some Transit
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
37.5%
4-Year Graduation
91.0%

District

South Milwaukee School District
District Enrollment
2,783
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,914
District Rank
#6 of 6

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