Best Public Schools in Milwaukee, WI

The city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin is home to 178 schools, including 121 elementary schools, 11 middle schools, 39 high schools, and 7 alternative schools. These schools serve a diverse student population and face a range of challenges, from high poverty rates to uneven academic performance.

Some of the standout schools in Milwaukee include Reagan College Preparatory High, which ranks 65th out of 431 Wisconsin high schools and has strong test scores and a relatively low free/reduced lunch rate. Whittier Elementary also performs exceptionally well, ranking 279th out of 1,061 Wisconsin elementary schools with high proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Mathematics. In contrast, the Milwaukee School District as a whole is ranked 417th out of 428 districts in the state, indicating significant challenges across the district.

The data reveals stark disparities in performance and resources between the highest and lowest-performing schools in Milwaukee. There appears to be a strong correlation between high poverty levels, as measured by free/reduced lunch rates, and lower academic achievement. However, the presence of high-performing public charter schools, like Downtown Montessori, suggests that strong outcomes are possible even within the Milwaukee school system. Overall, the data paints a complex picture of the Milwaukee school landscape, with both bright spots and significant challenges that the district must continue to address.