Summary:
ZIP code 53172 in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin is served by six public schools in the South Milwaukee School District — four elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school — enrolling roughly 2,686 students. The district overall is rated 1 star and ranks 341st of 432 Wisconsin districts (21st percentile), but that low rating hides wide differences among individual schools, so parents should look closely at each building rather than the district average alone.
The clear standout is E W Luther Elementary, the only 4-star school in the ZIP, ranked in the 73rd percentile and above the state average in all eight tested elementary areas in 2025–2026. It also has the lowest chronic absenteeism (14.0%) and lowest free/reduced lunch rate (43.15%) in the area. Blakewood Elementary is the second-strongest: 3 stars, 53rd percentile, and above state in ELA, science, and social studies, though its math scores fall below state averages.
Elsewhere, results are weaker. South Milwaukee High is the most improved school, climbing from the 5th percentile and 0 stars to the 30th percentile and 2 stars, with sharp gains in ELA, math, and science — yet it remains below state on every tested subject, and its 39.4% chronic absenteeism rate is more than double the state's 17.3%, with a graduation rate of 87.6% versus 92.0% statewide. South Milwaukee Middle has been 1 star for three years with all subjects below state, and math is weak across the district. Lakeview Elementary (23rd percentile) and Rawson Elementary (21st percentile) are both 1 star; Lakeview spends the most per student ($16,872) with the smallest classes (11.7 ratio) yet still struggles, while Rawson has the highest poverty and absenteeism rates among the elementary schools.
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