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South Milwaukee School District

Item: South Milwaukee School District
Rating: 2
Author: Public School Review

901 15th Ave
South Milwaukee, WI 53172

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

Tel: (414) 766-5011

www.sdsm.k12.wi.us

Top Rankings

South Milwaukee School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Wisconsin for:

Overview

This School District

This State (WI)

# Schools

6 Schools

2,186 Schools

# Students

2,686 Students

806,117 Students

# Teachers

209 Teachers

58,787 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

13:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	South Milwaukee School District	Wisconsin
Pre-K	157	104
Kind	167	112
1	151	116
2	165	120
3	163	123
4	180	124
5	173	125
6	205	125
7	189	127
8	216	128
9	209	139
10	237	141
11	248	143
12	226	148

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District Rank

South Milwaukee School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 442 school districts in Wisconsin (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.

The school district's graduation rate of 92% has increased from 90% over five school years.

This School District

State Average (WI)

#402 out of 447 school districts
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	South Milwaukee School District
2023	#402
2022	#416
2021	#399
2019	#364
2018	#333
2017	#368
2016	#371
2015	#364
2014	#382
2013	#326
2012	#382

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27%

40%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	South Milwaukee School District	Wisconsin
2023	27%	40%
2022	22%	39%
2021	22%	38%
2019	36%	43%
2018	35%	44%
2017	36%	43%
2016	33%	43%
2015	39%	44%
2014	40%	49%
2013	43%	48%
2012	39%	49%

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24%

38%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	South Milwaukee School District	Wisconsin
2022	24%	38%
2021	24%	39%
2019	31%	41%
2018	35%	43%
2017	33%	45%
2016	33%	44%
2015	42%	52%
2014	30%	37%
2013	32%	37%
2012	31%	36%
2011	85%	83%

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30%

44%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	South Milwaukee School District	Wisconsin
2022	30%	44%
2021	33%	44%

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92%

90.5%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	South Milwaukee School District	Wisconsin
2023	92%	90%
2022	89%	90%
2021	91%	87%
2020	87%	89%
2019	92%	88%
2018	90%	88%
2017	91%	87%
2016	96%	86%
2015	97%	87%
2014	95%	87%
2013	91%	87%

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(2022-23)

25.9%

24%

View Data

Chronic Absenteeism Rate Trends
Year	South Milwaukee School District	Wisconsin
2023	25.9%	24%
2022	28.6%	27.1%
2021	22.5%	18.8%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.61

0.54

View Data

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	South Milwaukee School District	Wisconsin
2023	0.59	0.52
2022	0.58	0.51
2021	0.56	0.51
2020	0.52	0.50
2019	0.52	0.50
2018	0.45	0.49
2017	0.45	0.49
2016	0.41	0.48
2015	0.39	0.48
2014	0.38	0.46
2013	0.37	0.45
2012	0.35	0.44
2011	0.34	0.44
2010	0.34	0.41
2009	0.32	0.41
2008	0.30	0.39
2007	0.31	0.39
2006	0.29	0.39
2005	0.28	0.38
2004	0.28	0.36
2003	0.30	0.37
2002	0.28	0.35
2001	0.31	0.34
2000	0.31	0.32
1999	0.31	0.30
1998	0.30	0.30
1997	0.28	0.30
1996	0.26	0.29
1995	0.28	0.27
1994	0.27	0.26
1993	0.28	0.26
1992	0.28	0.26
1991	0.26	0.26

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% American Indian

n/a

View Data

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison (1988-2021)
Year	South Milwaukee School District	Wisconsin
2021	1%	1%
2020	1%	1%
2019	1%	1%
2016	1%	2%
2014	1%	2%
2013	1%	1%
2012	1%	1%
2011	2%	1%
2010	1%	2%
2009	1%	2%
2008	2%	1%
2007	1%	2%
2006	1%	2%
2005	1%	2%
2004	1%	2%
2003	1%	3%
2002	2%	2%
2001	1%	2%
2000	1%	2%
1999	1%	1%
1998	1%	1%
1997	1%	1%
1996	1%	1%
1995	1%	1%
1994	2%	1%
1993	1%	1%
1992	1%	1%
1991	1%	1%
1990	2%	1%
1989	1%	1%
1988	1%	1%

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% Asian

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison (1991-2023)
Year	South Milwaukee School District	Wisconsin
2023	2%	4%
2022	1%	4%
2021	1%	4%
2020	1%	4%
2019	1%	4%
2018	2%	4%
2017	2%	4%
2016	1%	4%
2015	2%	4%
2014	2%	4%
2013	2%	4%
2012	2%	4%
2011	2%	4%
2010	2%	4%
2009	2%	4%
2008	2%	4%
2007	2%	4%
2006	2%	4%
2005	2%	4%
2004	2%	3%
2003	3%	3%
2002	3%	3%
2001	4%	3%
2000	4%	3%
1999	4%	3%
1998	4%	3%
1997	4%	3%
1996	4%	3%
1995	4%	3%
1994	4%	2%
1993	4%	2%
1992	3%	2%
1991	2%	2%

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% Hispanic

29%

14%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison (1991-2023)
Year	South Milwaukee School District	Wisconsin
2023	27%	14%
2022	26%	13%
2021	25%	13%
2020	22%	13%
2019	22%	13%
2018	20%	12%
2017	20%	12%
2016	17%	11%
2015	16%	11%
2014	15%	10%
2013	14%	10%
2012	12%	10%
2011	11%	9%
2010	12%	8%
2009	11%	8%
2008	10%	8%
2007	10%	7%
2006	9%	6%
2005	8%	6%
2004	7%	6%
2003	7%	5%
2002	6%	5%
2001	6%	5%
2000	6%	4%
1999	6%	4%
1998	6%	4%
1997	6%	3%
1996	5%	3%
1995	5%	3%
1994	4%	3%
1993	5%	3%
1992	4%	3%
1991	4%	3%

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% Black

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison (1991-2023)
Year	South Milwaukee School District	Wisconsin
2023	6%	9%
2022	6%	9%
2021	6%	9%
2020	6%	9%
2019	6%	9%
2018	6%	9%
2017	6%	9%
2016	6%	9%
2015	6%	10%
2014	5%	10%
2013	5%	10%
2012	5%	10%
2011	5%	10%
2010	4%	10%
2009	4%	10%
2008	4%	10%
2007	5%	10%
2006	5%	10%
2005	5%	10%
2004	5%	10%
2003	6%	10%
2002	5%	10%
2001	7%	10%
2000	6%	9%
1999	6%	9%
1998	6%	9%
1997	5%	9%
1996	5%	9%
1995	6%	8%
1994	5%	9%
1993	7%	8%
1992	8%	8%
1991	7%	8%

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% White

55%

66%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison (1991-2023)
Year	South Milwaukee School District	Wisconsin
2023	58%	67%
2022	60%	68%
2021	61%	68%
2020	66%	69%
2019	66%	69%
2018	71%	70%
2017	71%	70%
2016	75%	71%
2015	76%	71%
2014	77%	72%
2013	78%	73%
2012	80%	74%
2011	80%	74%
2010	81%	76%
2009	82%	76%
2008	82%	77%
2007	82%	77%
2006	83%	78%
2005	84%	78%
2004	85%	79%
2003	83%	79%
2002	84%	80%
2001	82%	80%
2000	83%	82%
1999	83%	83%
1998	83%	83%
1997	84%	84%
1996	85%	84%
1995	84%	85%
1994	85%	85%
1993	83%	86%
1992	84%	86%
1991	86%	86%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison (2017-2023)
Year	South Milwaukee School District	Wisconsin
2023	7%	5%
2022	7%	5%
2021	6%	5%
2020	4%	4%
2019	4%	4%
2018	1%	3%
2017	1%	3%

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $18,520 is higher than the state median of $17,205. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $17,187 is higher than the state median of $17,177. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

This School District

This State (WI)

Total Revenue

$50 MM

$13,869 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	South Milwaukee School District	Wisconsin
2023	$61 MM	$18 MM
2022	$55 MM	$16 MM
2021	$50 MM	$15 MM
2020	$48 MM	$14 MM
2019	$48 MM	$14 MM
2018	$46 MM	$14 MM
2017	$45 MM	$13 MM
2016	$45 MM	$13 MM
2015	$43 MM	$12 MM
2014	$44 MM	$12 MM
2012	$42 MM	$12 MM
2011	$44 MM	$13 MM
2010	$43 MM	$12 MM
2009	$43 MM	$12 MM
2008	$41 MM	$12 MM
2007	$40 MM	$12 MM
2006	$39 MM	$11 MM
2005	$38 MM	$11 MM
2004	$38 MM	$11 MM
2003	$37 MM	$10 MM
2002	$32 MM	$10 MM
2001	$31 MM	$10 MM
2000	$29 MM	$9 MM
1999	$27 MM	$8 MM
1998	$26 MM	$8 MM
1997	$25 MM	$8 MM
1996	$24 MM	$7 MM
1995	$23 MM	$7 MM

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Spending

$46 MM

$13,846 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	South Milwaukee School District	Wisconsin
2023	$52 MM	$17 MM
2022	$48 MM	$16 MM
2021	$46 MM	$15 MM
2020	$44 MM	$14 MM
2019	$43 MM	$14 MM
2018	$42 MM	$14 MM
2017	$41 MM	$13 MM
2016	$42 MM	$13 MM
2015	$40 MM	$12 MM
2014	$40 MM	$12 MM
2012	$39 MM	$12 MM
2011	$41 MM	$13 MM
2010	$40 MM	$12 MM
2009	$40 MM	$12 MM
2008	$38 MM	$11 MM
2007	$38 MM	$11 MM
2006	$38 MM	$11 MM
2005	$38 MM	$11 MM
2004	$67 MM	$10 MM
2003	$46 MM	$10 MM
2002	$32 MM	$10 MM
2001	$31 MM	$10 MM
2000	$29 MM	$10 MM
1999	$28 MM	$9 MM
1998	$25 MM	$9 MM
1997	$24 MM	$8 MM
1996	$23 MM	$8 MM
1995	$23 MM	$7 MM

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Revenue / Student

$18,520

$17,205

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	South Milwaukee School District	Wisconsin
2023	$22,141	$20,847
2022	$19,058	$19,615
2021	$17,646	$18,324
2020	$15,808	$16,879
2018	$14,518	$16,046
2017	$13,998	$15,634
2016	$13,725	$15,217
2015	$13,348	$13,583
2014	$13,248	$13,907
2012	$12,792	$13,331
2011	$13,253	$14,085
2010	$12,842	$13,583
2009	$12,757	$12,827
2008	$12,093	$12,886
2007	$11,657	$12,505
2006	$11,277	$12,012
2005	$10,848	$11,868
2004	$10,732	$11,167
2003	$10,162	$10,285
2002	$8,787	$9,947
2001	$8,601	$9,720
2000	$8,408	$8,956
1999	$7,689	$8,375
1998	$7,299	$7,873
1997	$7,030	$7,459
1995	$6,315	$6,949
1992	$5,789	$6,103
1990	$5,469	$5,330

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Spending / Student

$17,187

$17,177

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	South Milwaukee School District	Wisconsin
2023	$18,752	$19,897
2022	$16,813	$18,714
2021	$16,376	$17,545
2020	$14,590	$16,633
2018	$13,338	$16,563
2017	$12,638	$15,583
2016	$12,810	$15,045
2015	$12,358	$13,316
2014	$12,119	$13,867
2012	$11,616	$12,958
2011	$12,364	$13,726
2010	$11,890	$13,316
2009	$12,065	$12,642
2008	$11,202	$12,234
2007	$10,958	$11,794
2006	$11,074	$11,428
2005	$10,845	$11,296
2004	$18,850	$10,661
2003	$12,792	$10,162
2002	$8,927	$9,911
2001	$8,755	$9,632
2000	$8,405	$9,400
1999	$7,960	$9,088
1998	$7,055	$8,599
1997	$6,802	$8,007
1995	$6,245	$6,987
1992	$5,728	$6,313
1990	$5,318	$5,403

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Best South Milwaukee School District Public Schools (2026-27)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

E W Luther Elementary School

(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 35-39%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

718 Hawthorne Ave
South Milwaukee, WI 53172
(414) 766-5326

Gr: PK-5 | 197 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 31%

Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.

Lakeview Elementary School

(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

711 Marion Ave
South Milwaukee, WI 53172
(414) 766-5252

Gr: PK-5 | 274 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 55%

Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.

Rawson Elementary School

(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 32%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

1410 Rawson Ave
South Milwaukee, WI 53172
(414) 766-2904

Gr: PK-5 | 371 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 49%

Rank: #44.

Blakewood Elementary School

(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 15-19%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

3501 Blakewood Ave
South Milwaukee, WI 53172
(414) 766-5900

Gr: PK-5 | 314 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 44%

Rank: #55.

South Milwaukee High School

(Math: 19% | Reading: 20-24%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

801 15th Ave
South Milwaukee, WI 53172
(414) 766-5100

Gr: 9-12 | 920 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 44%

Rank: #66.

South Milwaukee Middle School

(Math: 21% | Reading: 20%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

1001 15th Ave
South Milwaukee, WI 53172
(414) 766-5800

Gr: 6-8 | 610 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 46%

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to South Milwaukee School District?

South Milwaukee School District manages 6 public schools serving 2,686 students.

What is the rank of South Milwaukee School District?

South Milwaukee School District is ranked #403 out of 442 school districts in Wisconsin (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Wisconsin school districts for: Highest graduation rate (Top 20%), Most diverse schools (Top 1%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)

What is the racial composition of students in South Milwaukee School District?

55% of South Milwaukee School District students are White, 29% of students are Hispanic, 8% of students are Two or more races, 7% of students are Black, and 1% of students are Asian.

What is the student/teacher ratio of South Milwaukee School District?

South Milwaukee School District has a student/teacher ratio of 13:1, which is lower than the Wisconsin state average of 14:1.

What is South Milwaukee School District's spending/student ratio?

The school district's spending/student of $17,187 is higher than the state median of $17,177. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

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Quick Facts (2026-27)

District size: 6 schools
Grades: PK-12
Enrollment: 2,686 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1
Minority Enrollment: 45%
: 92% (Top 20% in WI)
: Bottom 50%
: 27% (Btm 50%)
: 24% (Btm 50%)
: 30% (Btm 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), WI Dept. of Education