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Milwaukee County

Wisconsin · Public K-12

Wisconsin's Milwaukee County runs 284 public K-12 schools between its districts, the largest being Milwaukee School District at 65,835 students. That works out to 180 elementary, 28 middle, and 62 high schools.

7-year change in Milwaukee County

SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25
Total enrollment
122,197
-12,881 (-10%) vs SY 2017-18
School count
274
-12 (-4%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
27%
was 31%
% Hispanic
26%
was 23%
% Black
34%
was 36%
% Asian
7%
was 6%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Residents
926,331
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
284
35 districts
Enrollment
122,496
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$64,435
Below Wisconsin avg
Free/reduced lunch
64.1%
Above Wisconsin avg
Elementary
180
65,720 students
Middle
28
12,657 students
High
62
36,178 students
Combined / other
14
7,941 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
Milwaukee School District
65,835 students · 35 districts in Milwaukee County

County vs. school enrollment demographics

Left bar is the racial makeup of Milwaukee County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".

County residents
White
51%
Hispanic
17%
Black
26%
Asian
5%
Two or more
13%
Native American
1%
Pacific Islander
0%
School enrollment
White
27%
Hispanic
26%
Black
34%
Asian
7%
Two or more
6%
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
Bachelor's+
34.7%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
12.7%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
4.8%
civilian labor
Median age
36
23.7% under 18

Test scores in Milwaukee County

Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 210 schools ranked. Wisconsin state average: 53.1%.

Top 5 schools (ELA)
  1. Richards Elementary· 87.8%
  2. Bayside Middle· 87.2%
  3. Wauwatosa STEM· 86.8%
  4. Stormonth Elementary· 86.5%
  5. Indian Hill School· 85.0%

See all 210 schools in Milwaukee County ranked by score →

All schools (284)

LargestA-ZTop rated
NameCityLevelGradesEnrollmentRating
Hartford Avenue ElementaryMilwaukeeElementaryPK-08256·
Thurston Woods ElementaryMilwaukeeElementaryPK-08256·
Veritas HighMilwaukeeHigh09-12256·
Pershing ElementaryWest MilwaukeeElementaryPK-05250·
Zablocki ElementaryMilwaukeeElementaryPK-05250·
Cudahy MiddleCudahyMiddle07-08247·
Brown Street AcademyMilwaukeeElementaryPK-05245·
Franklin ElementaryWest AllisElementaryPK-05244·
Riverwest ElementaryMilwaukeeElementaryPK-05244·
Milwaukee Math and Science AcademyMilwaukeeElementaryPK-08241·
Riley Dual Language Montessori SchoolMilwaukeeElementaryPK-06239·
Clement Avenue ElementaryMilwaukeeElementaryPK-08238·
Maple Tree ElementaryMilwaukeeElementaryPK-05235·
Trowbridge Street School of Great Lakes StudiesMilwaukeeElementaryPK-08228·
Maple Dale SchoolFox PointMiddle04-08224·
Indian Hill SchoolRiver HillsElementaryPK-03223·
Jefferson ElementaryWauwatosaElementaryPK-05222·
Craig Montessori SchoolMilwaukeeElementaryPK-08220·
Grandview HighMilwaukeeHigh09-12219·
Downtown MontessoriMilwaukeeElementaryPK-08218·
Kilbourn ElementaryMilwaukeeElementaryPK-05218·
Wilson ElementaryWauwatosaElementaryPK-05218·
LaFollette ElementaryMilwaukeeElementaryPK-08216·
Bryant ElementaryMilwaukeeElementaryPK-05212·
IDEALMilwaukeeElementaryPK-08210·
Lowell International ElementaryMilwaukeeElementaryPK-05209·
Kosciuszko ElementaryCudahyElementaryPK-06208·
Jackson ElementaryMilwaukeeElementaryPK-05206·
Starms Early ChildhoodMilwaukeeElementaryPK-KG205·
E W Luther ElementarySouth MilwaukeeElementaryPK-05197·
Hampton ElementaryMilwaukeeElementaryPK-05194·
Carmen Middle School SouthMilwaukeeMiddle06-08191·
Stellar Collegiate Charter SchoolMilwaukeeElementaryPK-05190·
United Community Center Acosta Middle SchoolMilwaukeeMiddle06-08188·
Emerson ElementaryMilwaukeeElementaryPK-05187·
Darrell Lynn Hines AcademyMilwaukeeElementaryPK-08180·
Wauwatosa Montessori SchoolWauwatosaElementaryPK-08176·
Woodlands School - State Street CampusMilwaukeeElementaryPK-08175·
Siefert ElementaryMilwaukeeElementaryPK-05174·
Jones ElementaryCudahyElementaryPK-06171·
James E Dottke Project-Based Learning High SchoolWest AllisHigh09-12168·
Clarke Street ElementaryMilwaukeeElementaryPK-08167·
Hi-Mount ElementaryMilwaukeeElementaryPK-08166·
King International Baccalaureate MiddleMilwaukeeMiddle06-08159·
Westside AcademyMilwaukeeElementaryPK-05159·
Auer Avenue ElementaryMilwaukeeElementaryPK-05151·
Pathways HighMilwaukeeHigh09-12149·
Sherman ElementaryMilwaukeeElementaryPK-08147·
Whittier ElementaryMilwaukeeElementaryPK-05146·
Hopkins Lloyd Community SchoolMilwaukeeElementaryPK-05143·
Alliance School of MilwaukeeMilwaukeeHigh09-12141·
Vel R Phillips SchoolWauwatosaCombinedKG-12139·
Wauwatosa STEMWauwatosaElementaryKG-05127·
Keefe Avenue ElementaryMilwaukeeElementaryPK-05125·
Escuela VerdeMilwaukeeHigh09-12121·
Next Door CharterMilwaukeeElementaryPK-PK120·
Project STAY-Supporting Teachers and YouthMilwaukeeHigh09-12114·
Andrew S Douglas MiddleMilwaukeeMiddle06-08106·
Groppi HighMilwaukeeHigh09-12105·
NOVA-Northwest Opportunities Vocational AcademyMilwaukeeHigh09-12104·
Shalom HighMilwaukeeHigh09-12101·
Wauwatosa Virtual AcademyWauwatosaCombinedKG-1291·
Transition HighMilwaukeeHigh09-1290·
Deeper Learning Virtual AcademyWest AllisCombinedPK-1288·
Time 4 Learning Charter SchoolGreendaleElementaryPK-PK88·
CORE4GreenfieldElementaryPK-PK87·
ASSATA HighMilwaukeeHigh09-1278·
South Accelerated AcademyMilwaukeeHigh09-1257·
Vincent Accelerated AcademyMilwaukeeHigh09-1253·
Banner Preparatory School of MilwaukeeMilwaukeeHigh06-1249·
Milwaukee County Community Reintegration CenterFranklinHigh09-1231·
Lad Lake Synergy SchoolMilwaukeeHigh06-1222·
New Horizons for LearningShorewoodHigh09-1222·
SoutheasternMilwaukeeMiddle06-0816·
UpGrade Media Arts SchoolsWauwatosaHigh06-1210·
DOC: Milwaukee Secure Detention FacilityMilwaukeeHigh12-124·
Shared JourneysWest AllisHigh07-124·
Grant Gordon Learning CenterMilwaukeeElementaryPK-PK1·
DOC: Felmers O. Chaney Correctional Cent erMilwaukeeHigh07-120·
Lane IntermediateWest AllisCombinedM-M··
Longfellow ElementaryWest AllisCombinedM-M··
Madison ElementaryWest AllisCombinedM-M··
Milwaukee County Youth Education CenterMilwaukeeHigh06-12··
Penfield Montessori AcademyMilwaukeeCombinedM-M··

Cities in Milwaukee County

Milwaukee181 schoolsWauwatosa18 schoolsWest Allis16 schoolsOak Creek11 schoolsGreenfield9 schoolsFranklin8 schoolsCudahy6 schoolsGreendale6 schoolsSouth Milwaukee6 schoolsShorewood5 schoolsWhitefish Bay4 schoolsGlendale3 schoolsSaint Francis3 schoolsBrown Deer2 schoolsHales Corners2 schoolsWest Milwaukee2 schoolsFox Point1 schoolRiver Hills1 school

About Milwaukee County

Across the wide-reaching Wisconsin county of Milwaukee County of about 926,331 residents, the public-school footprint covers 284 schools and about 122,496 students.

For perspective, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $64,435, 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and roughly 13% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 12% lower than the Wisconsin median.

In terms of grade levels, Milwaukee County is made up of 180 elementary schools (65,720 students), 28 middle schools (12,657), 62 high schools (36,178), and 14 combined or other schools.

Milwaukee School District is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 65,835 students across Milwaukee County.

Over the past 7-year window. Combined enrollment now sits at 122,197 students, shrank 10% from the 135,078 reported in SY 2017-18. Over that span, Milwaukee County lost 12 schools, going from 286 to 274. On the demographic side, White enrollment moved from 31% to 27% over the same window.

Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Milwaukee County discusses open enrollment windows, redistricting talk, and busing logistics. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.

Frequently asked questions

How many K-12 schools serve Milwaukee County?
There are 284 public K-12 schools in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, with a combined enrollment of about 122,496.
How many high schools are in Milwaukee County?
Milwaukee County, Wisconsin has 62 public high schools, serving approximately 36,178 students.
How many middle schools are in Milwaukee County?
Milwaukee County, Wisconsin has 28 public middle schools, serving approximately 12,657 students.
How many elementary schools are in Milwaukee County?
Milwaukee County, Wisconsin has 180 public elementary schools, serving approximately 65,720 students.
What is the largest school district in Milwaukee County?
Milwaukee School District is the largest school district in Milwaukee County, serving approximately 65,835 students. The county contains 35 school districts overall.
How many people live in Milwaukee County?
Milwaukee County has roughly 926,331 residents according to the latest Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What is the median household income in Milwaukee County?
Median household income in Milwaukee County is $64,435, below the Wisconsin average of $73,469. About 12.7% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
How educated are residents of Milwaukee County?
Approximately 34.7% of adults 25 and older in Milwaukee County hold a bachelor's degree or higher, according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What share of students in Milwaukee County qualify for free or reduced lunch?
Roughly 64.1% of students in Milwaukee County public schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a common proxy for low-income enrollment. This is higher than the Wisconsin county average of 41.4%.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Milwaukee County schools?
Across Milwaukee County public schools, the enrollment-weighted student-teacher ratio is approximately 16.9 to 1.

Milwaukee County school rankings

Largest schoolsAll rankings →
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data