James Madison Academic Campus

James Madison Academic Campus is a public high school serving grades 9–12 with 468 students at 8135 W Florist Ave in Milwaukee, part of the Milwaukee School District. In 2025–26 it ranked 529 of 533 Wisconsin high schools — 1st percentile, 0 stars — and its district ranks 418 of 432. About 85.68% of students are economically disadvantaged, per-student spending is $23,107 (2024–25), and the student-teacher ratio is 14.6. Tenth-grade proficiency in 2025–26 was Social Studies 2.63%, ACT ELA 4.55%, ACT Math 0%, and ACT Science 2.27%, compared with district averages of 24.03%, 24.62%, 15.75%, and 18.57%, and state averages of 48.25%, 48.47%, 42.93%, and 43.2%.

Its 72.4% graduation rate is close to the district's 71.5% but far below the state's 92.0%, and nearby same-district schools range from Milwaukee School of Languages at 87.9% and Green Tree Preparatory Academy at 85.7% down to ASSATA High at 22.5%. The 7.9% dropout rate is nearly double the district's 4.0% and about seven times the state's 1.1%. Most striking is chronic absenteeism: 88.0% of students, roughly 9 in 10, versus 46.2% districtwide and 17.3% statewide. Only Vincent Accelerated Academy (100.0%) and Banner Preparatory School of Milwaukee (89.8%) were higher nearby, while Milwaukee School of Languages was 37.6%. Notably, West High spends $14,779 per student and posts ACT proficiency around 48–55%, and Brown Deer Middle/High spends $16,997 and also outperforms — despite James Madison spending $23,107.

Every reported subgroup — female, male, special education, and low-income — ranks in the bottom decile, with none near state average. This is not a one-year dip: the school placed at the bottom in 2017–18 (410 of 410), 2014–15 (2nd percentile), and 2013–14 (1st percentile). There are small signs of movement: graduation rose from 58.3% in 2022–23 to 72.4%, chronic absenteeism eased from 92.3% in 2021–22 to 88.0%, and Social Studies proficiency went from 0% to 2.63%. All remain far below district and state benchmarks.