Milwaukee High School of the Arts

Summary:

Milwaukee High School of the Arts is a public high school serving 989 students in grades 9-12 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The school is part of the Milwaukee School District, which is ranked 417 out of 428 districts in the state and has a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Milwaukee High School of the Arts has consistently ranked in the bottom 10-15% of Wisconsin high schools over the past decade, with a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger. The school's performance is particularly low for Asian and Low Socio-Economic Status (SES) students, ranking in the bottom 10-15% of Wisconsin high schools for these subgroups. The school's four-year graduation rate has fluctuated between 86.2% and 91.2% over the past five years, which is lower than the state average, and its dropout rate has ranged from 1.0% to 2.6%, which is higher than the state average. Additionally, Milwaukee High School of the Arts has experienced high rates of chronic absenteeism, ranging from 31.3% to 59.7% over the past five years, significantly higher than the state average.

The nearby schools within the Milwaukee School District, such as Shalom High, Project STAY-Supporting Teachers and Youth, Transition High, and Groppi High, all perform similarly to or worse than Milwaukee High School of the Arts on key metrics like graduation rates, dropout rates, chronic absenteeism, and academic performance. The only nearby school that performs slightly better is Pathways High, a public charter school outside the Milwaukee School District.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 2300 W Highland Ave
       Milwaukee, WI  53233-1007


(414) 934-7000

District: Milwaukee School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
419th of 431 Wisconsin High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $13,758 Help


Feeder schools for Milwaukee High School of the Arts:

Elementary:    Academy of Accelerated Learning
    Alcott Elementary
    Allen-Field Elementary
    Auer Avenue Elementary
    More...
Middle:    Audubon Technology and Communication Middle
    King International Baccalaureate Middle
    Lincoln Middle
    Morse Mid
    More...

Student/teacher ratio:  15.3 Help
Number of students:  989

Racial breakdown:

African American:
51.5%
Hispanic:
22.0%
Asian:
11.9%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  73.9% Help


 See top rated Wisconsin high schools

 Compare Milwaukee High School of the Arts to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Milwaukee High School of the Arts ranks worse than 97.2% of high schools in Wisconsin. It also ranks 5th among 12 ranked high schools in the Milwaukee School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 4.24. (See more...)
Help
The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Milwaukee High School of the Arts who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.
Help
The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: African American (51.5%), Hispanic (22%), Asian (11.9%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 73.9% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Milwaukee High School of the Arts is 15.3. 18 high schools in the Milwaukee School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Milwaukee High School of the Arts employs 64.6 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Milwaukee High School of the Arts is $13,758. 32 high schools in the Milwaukee School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Milwaukee High School of the Arts:

SchoolDigger ranks Milwaukee High School of the Arts 419th of 431 Wisconsin public high schools. (See Milwaukee High School of the Arts in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Asian students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Milwaukee School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Milwaukee School District 417th of 428 Wisconsin school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for Milwaukee High School of the Arts?

Rank History for Milwaukee High School of the Arts

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Rank History for all students at Milwaukee High School of the Arts

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 29.73 240th 275 12.7%
2005 23.45 251st 287 12.5%
2007 27.69 241st 281 14.2%
2008 17.47 405th 437 7.3%
2009 17.41 400th 438 8.7%
2010 14.53 414th 450 8.0%
2011 25.24 403rd 445 9.4%
2012 12.21 421st 452 6.9%
2013 10.95 428th 457 6.3%
2014 8.43 431st 462 6.7%
2015 7.25 440th 466 5.6%
2016 3.53 403rd 408 1.2%
2017 1.37 409th 410 0.2%
2018 1.62 406th 410 1.0%
2019 2.13 398th 400 0.5%
2021 2.07 389th 390 0.3%
2022 6.35 384th 391 1.8%
2023 9.06 396th 415 4.6%
2024 4.24 419th 431 2.8%
See the entire list of Wisconsin High School Rankings!

Rank History for Special Education students at Milwaukee High School of the Arts

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 24.83 50th 55 9.1%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Milwaukee High School of the Arts

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 5.84 252nd 255 1.2%
2019 6.87 249th 251 0.8%
2021 8.73 222nd 226 1.8%
2022 19.73 227th 250 9.2%
2023 17.06 251st 271 7.4%
2024 9.47 311th 326 4.6%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Milwaukee High School of the Arts

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 1.49 354th 355 0.3%
2019 2.23 343rd 343 0.0%
2022 5.57 337th 343 1.7%
2023 7.96 314th 329 4.6%
2024 3.79 345th 353 2.3%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Milwaukee High School of the Arts

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 1.70 353rd 354 0.3%
2021 3.24 333rd 334 0.3%
2022 7.59 342nd 347 1.4%
2023 10.59 345th 359 3.9%
2024 5.53 356th 365 2.5%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Milwaukee High School of the Arts

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 5.36 51st 51 0.0%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin High Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at Milwaukee High School of the Arts

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 17.33 20th 20 0.0%
2019 17.95 17th 18 5.6%
2023 24.32 12th 13 7.7%
2024 39.20 16th 26 38.5%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin High Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Milwaukee High School of the Arts

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 39.69 52nd 97 46.4%
2024 24.40 91st 119 23.5%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Milwaukee High School of the Arts

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 25.51 211th 266 20.7%
2023 62.03 85th 271 68.6%
2024 23.46 249th 300 17.0%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Milwaukee High School of the Arts Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 



Data source: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a student
Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Open Quote It an ARTS school the only ARTS high school in ALL of WISCONSIN Close Quote



Enrollment information for Milwaukee High School of the Arts

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 327 276 1 63 9 n/a n/a 0 676
1989 371 292 5 57 11 n/a n/a 0 736
1990 383 264 6 61 8 n/a n/a 0 722
1991 389 274 12 64 12 n/a n/a 0 751
1992 411 314 13 63 14 n/a n/a 0 815
1993 427 318 11 69 13 n/a n/a 0 838
1994 412 350 13 72 11 n/a n/a 0 858
1995 404 398 6 67 9 n/a n/a 0 884
1996 404 398 6 67 9 n/a n/a 0 884
1997 387 430 11 76 9 n/a n/a 0 913
1998 396 463 20 80 9 n/a n/a 0 968
1999 357 418 18 67 6 n/a n/a 0 866
2000 353 425 21 63 8 n/a n/a 0 870
2001 370 420 19 63 7 n/a n/a 0 879
2002 403 428 17 84 6 n/a n/a 0 938
2003 403 428 17 84 6 n/a n/a 0 938
2004 384 444 21 85 7 n/a n/a 0 941
2005 372 493 18 97 6 n/a n/a 0 986
2006 344 479 17 95 6 n/a n/a 0 941
2007 338 461 19 93 8 n/a n/a 0 919
2008 292 477 21 86 9 n/a n/a 0 885
2009 258 498 24 80 7 n/a n/a 0 867
2010 212 530 29 110 6 n/a n/a 0 887
2011 166 571 20 136 4 0 0 0 897
2012 135 518 20 128 5 0 0 0 806
2013 175 638 23 146 8 0 2 0 992
2014 177 616 17 128 7 0 3 0 948
2015 155 591 45 126 7 0 3 0 927
2016 134 580 68 121 6 1 4 0 914
2017 116 578 79 129 6 0 8 0 916
2018 95 524 83 151 7 0 14 0 874
2019 99 494 90 169 7 0 25 0 884
2020 102 512 100 190 6 0 27 0 937
2021 103 542 106 203 3 2 25 0 984
2022 109 525 124 206 3 1 25 0 993
2023 105 509 118 218 4 2 32 1 989

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Milwaukee High School of the Arts

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 676 49.0 13.7 54.6
1989 736 61.0 12.0 34
1990 722 49.0 14.7 29.8
1991 751 53.0 14.1 81.2
1992 815 57.0 14.2 52.9
1993 838 52.6 15.9 67.5
1994 858 42.7 20.1 66
1995 884 54.0 16.4 66
1996 884 54.0 16.4 66
1997 913 56.2 16.2 65.6
1998 968 61.4 15.8 64.4
1999 866 57.6 15.0 73.4
2000 870 54.0 16.1 71.1
2001 879 52.4 16.8 68.9
2002 938 58.0 16.2 43.7
2003 938 58.0 16.2 43.7
2004 941 52.2 18.0 42.3
2005 986 53.0 18.6 n/a
2006 941 53.0 17.8 n/a
2007 919 46.0 20.0 44.1
2008 885 41.5 21.3 50.3
2009 867 48.4 17.9 54.4
2010 887 48.2 18.3 64.4
2011 897 28.0 32.0 61.3
2012 806 25.2 31.9 71.7
2013 992 31.5 31.4 66.9
2014 948 27.3 34.6 67.1
2015 927 n/a n/a 74.2
2016 914 52.0 17.5 74.7
2017 916 55.1 16.6 65.1
2018 874 51.9 16.8 63
2019 884 54.5 16.2 68.9
2020 937 54.4 17.2 74.7
2021 984 58.5 16.8 87.8
2022 993 56.9 17.4 78.3
2023 989 64.6 15.3 73.9

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Milwaukee High School of the Arts

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 676 49.0 13.7 54.6
1989 736 61.0 12.0 34
1990 722 49.0 14.7 29.8
1991 751 53.0 14.1 81.2
1992 815 57.0 14.2 52.9
1993 838 52.6 15.9 67.5
1994 858 42.7 20.1 66
1995 884 54.0 16.4 66
1996 884 54.0 16.4 66
1997 913 56.2 16.2 65.6
1998 968 61.4 15.8 64.4
1999 866 57.6 15.0 73.4
2000 870 54.0 16.1 71.1
2001 879 52.4 16.8 68.9
2002 938 58.0 16.2 43.7
2003 938 58.0 16.2 43.7
2004 941 52.2 18.0 42.3
2005 986 53.0 18.6 n/a
2006 941 53.0 17.8 n/a
2007 919 46.0 20.0 44.1
2008 885 41.5 21.3 50.3
2009 867 48.4 17.9 54.4
2010 887 48.2 18.3 64.4
2011 897 28.0 32.0 61.3
2012 806 25.2 31.9 71.7
2013 992 31.5 31.4 66.9
2014 948 27.3 34.6 67.1
2015 927 n/a n/a 74.2
2016 914 52.0 17.5 74.7
2017 916 55.1 16.6 65.1
2018 874 51.9 16.8 63
2019 884 54.5 16.2 68.9
2020 937 54.4 17.2 74.7
2021 984 58.5 16.8 87.8
2022 993 56.9 17.4 78.3
2023 989 64.6 15.3 73.9

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Milwaukee High School of the Arts

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,176 (9.0%) $11,864 (91.0%) $13,040
2020 $1,783 (13.1%) $11,834 (86.9%) $13,617
2021 $1,870 (13.6%) $11,888 (86.4%) $13,758

Data source: Wisconsin Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Milwaukee High School of the Arts

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 398th of 400 High schoolsRanks 396th of 415 High schools
 4.1%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
10th Grade Social Studies (Milwaukee High School of the Arts)15.122
 6.9%
   10th Grade Social Studies (Milwaukee School District)17.922.2
 4.3%
   10th Grade Social Studies (Wisconsin)45.947.2
 1.3%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Milwaukee High School of the Arts)11.623.1
 11.5%
   10th Grade English Language Arts (Milwaukee School District)16.321.7
 5.4%
   10th Grade English Language Arts (Wisconsin)38.841.4
 2.6%
10th Grade Science (Milwaukee High School of the Arts)5.35.8
 0.5%
   10th Grade Science (Milwaukee School District)8.79.9
 1.2%
   10th Grade Science (Wisconsin)32.731
 1.7%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students884989
 11.9%
African American494509
 3%
American Indian74
 42.9%
Asian90118
 31.1%
Hispanic169218
 29%
Pacific Islander02
White99105
 6.1%
Two or More Races2532
 28%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients68.9%73.9%
 5%


Schools Near Milwaukee High School of the Arts









Frequently Asked Questions about Milwaukee High School of the Arts

Milwaukee High School of the Arts ranks in the bottom 2.8% of Wisconsin high schools.

Milwaukee High School of the Arts is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Academy of Accelerated Learning
Elementary : Alcott Elementary
Elementary : Allen-Field Elementary
Elementary : Auer Avenue Elementary
Elementary : Barbee Elementary
Elementary : Barton Elementary
Elementary : Bay View Montessori School
Elementary : Bethune Academy
Elementary : Brown Street Academy
Elementary : Browning Elementary
Elementary : Bruce Elementary
Elementary : Bryant Elementary
Elementary : Burbank Elementary
Elementary : Burdick Elementary
Elementary : Carson Academy
Elementary : Carver Academy
Elementary : Cass Street Elementary
Elementary : Clarke Street Elementary
Elementary : Clemens Elementary
Elementary : Clement Avenue Elementary
Elementary : Congress Elementary
Elementary : Cooper Elementary
Elementary : Craig Montessori School
Elementary : Curtin Elementary
Elementary : Doerfler Elementary
Elementary : Eighty-First Street Elementary
Elementary : Elm Creative Arts Elementary
Elementary : Emerson Elementary
Elementary : Engleburg Elementary
Elementary : Fairview Elementary
Elementary : Fernwood Montessori
Elementary : Fifty-Third Street Elementary
Elementary : Forest Home Elementary
Elementary : Franklin Elementary
Elementary : Fratney Elementary
Elementary : Gaenslen Elementary
Elementary : Garland Elementary
Elementary : Goodrich Elementary
Elementary : Grantosa Drive Elementary
Elementary : Greenfield Bilingual
Elementary : Hampton Elementary
Elementary : Hartford Avenue Elementary
Elementary : Hawthorne Elementary
Elementary : Hayes Bilingual School
Elementary : High-Mount Elementary
Elementary : Holmes Elementary
Elementary : Honey Creek Elementary
Elementary : Hopkins Lloyd Community School
Elementary : Humboldt Park Elementary
Elementary : Jackson Elementary
Elementary : Kagel Elementary
Elementary : Keefe Avenue Elementary
Elementary : Kilbourn Elementary
Elementary : King Junior Elementary
Elementary : Kluge Elementary
Elementary : LaFollette Elementary
Elementary : Lancaster Elementary
Elementary : Lincoln Avenue Elementary
Elementary : Longfellow Elementary
Elementary : Lowell International Elementary
Elementary : Manitoba Elementary
Elementary : Maple Tree Elementary
Elementary : Maryland Montessori
Elementary : Metcalfe Elementary
Elementary : Milwaukee Academy of Chinese Language
Elementary : Milwaukee French Immersion
Elementary : Milwaukee German Immersion
Elementary : Milwaukee Parkside School
Elementary : Milwaukee Sign Language Elementary
Elementary : Milwaukee Spanish Immersion
Elementary : Mitchell Elementary
Elementary : Morgandale Elementary
Elementary : Neeskara Elementary
Elementary : Ninety-Fifth Street Elementary
Elementary : Parkview Elementary
Elementary : Pratt Elementary
Elementary : Riley Dual Language Montessori School
Elementary : River Trail School of Agricultural Science
Elementary : Riverwest Elementary
Elementary : Rogers Street Academy
Elementary : Sherman Elementary
Elementary : Siefert Elementary
Elementary : Starms Discovery
Elementary : Starms Early Childhood
Elementary : Story Elementary
Elementary : Stuart Elementary
Elementary : Thoreau Elementary
Elementary : Thurston Woods Elementary
Elementary : Townsend Street Elementary
Elementary : Trowbridge Street School of Great Lakes Studies
Elementary : U S Grant School
Elementary : Victory Elementary
Elementary : Vieau Elementary
Elementary : Westside Academy
Elementary : Whitman Elementary
Elementary : Whittier Elementary
Elementary : Zablocki Elementary
Middle : Audubon Technology and Communication Middle
Middle : King International Baccalaureate Middle
Middle : Lincoln Middle
Middle : Morse Mid
Middle : Roosevelt Middle
Middle : Wedgewood Park School

Students at Milwaukee High School of the Arts are 51% African American, 22% Hispanic, 12% Asian, 11% White, 3% Two or more races.

In the 2022-23 school year, 989 students attended Milwaukee High School of the Arts.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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