Best High Schools in Zip Code 53214

ZIP code 53214 is home to two high schools — James E Dottke Project-Based Learning High School (grades 9–12, 168 students) and Deeper Learning Virtual Academy (grades 6–12, 88 students) — both part of the West Allis-West Milwaukee School District, which ranks 400 of 432 in Wisconsin at the 7th percentile with 0 stars.

James E Dottke is the stronger of the two on nearly every measure. Its graduation rate is 94.4%, above the district's 87.2% and the state's 92.0%, and its dropout rate is 0.0% versus 3.1% district and 1.1% state. In 2025–2026, 10th grade social studies proficiency was 52.38% (district 32.66%, state 48.25%) and ACT science 41.94% (district 25.95%, state 43.2%). It has also climbed steadily in rank, from the 5th percentile in 2023–2024 to 19th to 41st percentile and 2 stars in 2025–2026. Its clearest weakness is math: ACT math was 22.58% in 2025–2026 and 16.22% in 2024–2025, well below the state's roughly 43%. Chronic absenteeism is 24.4%, above district and state.

Deeper Learning Virtual Academy shows a very different profile. It reports 0.0% chronic absenteeism yet an 18.3% dropout rate, far above district and state, and a graduation rate of 84.2%. Its 2025–2026 high school results are low: 9.09% in 10th grade social studies, 16.67% in ACT ELA, 4.17% in ACT math, and 12.5% in ACT science, with a rank of 499/533 (6th percentile, 0 stars). Notably, James E Dottke serves more students from low-income families (63.1% vs 48.86% free/reduced lunch) and spends more per pupil ($18,309 vs $12,226). With small enrollments and different grade spans, treat these comparisons as directional.