Established in 1895, Milwaukee High School of the Arts, formerly West Division Sr. High School, is a high school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. It is a part of the Milwaukee Public Schools system. It specializes in preparation for a profession in the arts.
Serving 959 students in grades 9-12, Milwaukee High School Of The Arts ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Wisconsin for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is ≤5% (which is lower than the Wisconsin state average of 40%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 18% (which is lower than the Wisconsin state average of 38%).
The student-teacher ratio of 15:1 is higher than the Wisconsin state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 92% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Wisconsin state average of 34% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Quick Facts (2026)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 959 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1
- Minority Enrollment: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 87% (Btm 50% in WI)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: ≤5% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 18% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 5% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), WI Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Milwaukee High School Of The Arts ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Wisconsin for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
School Overview
Milwaukee High School Of The Arts's student population of 959 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 63 teachers has grown by 6% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
959 students
Total Classroom Teachers
63 teachers
Year Founded
1984
School Rankings
Milwaukee High School Of The Arts ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,962 schools in Wisconsin (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Milwaukee High School Of The Arts is 0.64, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.54. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1823 out of 1962 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤5%
40%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
18%
38%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
5%
44%
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
13:1
American Indian
1%
1%
Asian
12%
4%
Hispanic
20%
14%
Black
55%
9%
White
8%
66%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
4%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
87%
90%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
76%
36%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (18-19)
2%
5%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), WI Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Milwaukee High School Of The Arts's ranking?
Milwaukee High School Of The Arts is ranked #1823 out of 1,962 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Wisconsin.
What schools are Milwaukee High School Of The Arts often compared to?
Milwaukee High School Of The Artsis often viewed alongside schools like Reagan College Preparatory High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
≤5% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 40% WI state average), while 18% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 38% WI state average).
What is the graduation rate of Milwaukee High School Of The Arts?
The graduation rate of Milwaukee High School Of The Arts is 87%, which is lower than the Wisconsin state average of 90%.
How many students attend Milwaukee High School Of The Arts?
959 students attend Milwaukee High School Of The Arts.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
55% of Milwaukee High School Of The Arts students are Black, 20% of students are Hispanic, 12% of students are Asian, 8% of students are White, 4% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are American Indian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Milwaukee High School Of The Arts?
Milwaukee High School Of The Arts has a student ration of 15:1, which is higher than the Wisconsin state average of 13:1.
What grades does Milwaukee High School Of The Arts offer ?
Milwaukee High School Of The Arts offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is Milwaukee High School Of The Arts part of?
Milwaukee High School Of The Arts is part of Milwaukee School District.
In what neighborhood is Milwaukee High School Of The Arts located?
Milwaukee High School Of The Arts is located in the Midtown neighborhood of Milwaukee, WI. There are 5 other public schools located in Midtown.
School Reviews
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