Public schools in Milwaukee, WI
176 open public schools with an address in Milwaukee, operated by 17 education agencies. Compare size, staffing, grade spans, and school type, then confirm assignment with the district.
Public schools
176
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
Reported students
74,091
173 schools reporting · NCES 2024–25
Median student–teacher ratio
16.4:1
Wisconsin median 13.2:1
Charter schools
36
0 virtual
An overview of Milwaukee public schools
The federal directory lists 176 public schools in Milwaukee, WI: 117 elementary, 10 middle, 39 high, 10 combined or other. The 173 schools that reported 2024–25 membership enrolled 74,091 students, an average of 428 per school. The largest campus is HAPA-Hmong American Peace Academy K3-12 (1,974 students), and the largest elementary school is Bruce Guadalupe (1,364).
Milwaukee School District operates the most schools here (154), and 2 regular districts have at least one Milwaukee campus, plus 15 charter, service, or other agencies. City names come from school mailing addresses, which often differ from district or municipal boundaries.
Across schools that reported staffing, the median student–teacher ratio is 16.4:1, higher than the statewide school median of 13.2:1. A ratio counts classroom-teacher FTE against total enrollment, so specialized programs and part-time staffing can move it; ask schools for actual class sizes by grade.
School choice options include 36 charter schools. Application windows and lotteries usually open months before the school year.
Among 43 high and combined schools with 2021–22 civil-rights data, 26 reported students enrolled in AP courses and 25 of 44 reported computer-science classes. Confirm current course catalogs directly with each school.
About 79% of students in reporting schools were eligible for free or reduced-price meals in 2024–25. This describes the community served; it is not a quality signal, and community-eligibility schools can report differently.
School districts and agencies serving Milwaukee
Milwaukee School District
Public school district
154 schools in Milwaukee
Seeds of Health Inc
Independent charter agency
3 schools in Milwaukee
Fox Point J2 School District
Public school district
2 schools in Milwaukee
Rocketship Education Wisconsin Inc
Independent charter agency
2 schools in Milwaukee · 3 total
United Community Center Inc
Independent charter agency
2 schools in Milwaukee
Wisconsin Department of Corrections
State operated agency
2 schools in Milwaukee · 33 total
Carmen High School of Science and Technology Inc
Independent charter agency
1 school in Milwaukee
Collective Montessori School Inc
Independent charter agency
1 school in Milwaukee
Darrell L Hines Academy Inc
Independent charter agency
1 school in Milwaukee
Downtown Montessori Academy Inc
Independent charter agency
1 school in Milwaukee
Dr Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy Inc
Independent charter agency
1 school in Milwaukee
Milwaukee Math and Science Academy Inc
Independent charter agency
1 school in Milwaukee
Milwaukee Scholars Charter School Inc
Independent charter agency
1 school in Milwaukee
Milwaukee Science Education Consortium Inc
Independent charter agency
1 school in Milwaukee
Pathways High Inc
Independent charter agency
1 school in Milwaukee
Trans Center for Youth Inc
Independent charter agency
1 school in Milwaukee
Woodlands School Inc
Independent charter agency
1 school in Milwaukee
Elementary schools in Milwaukee
117| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academy of Accelerated Learning Milwaukee School District | PK–05 | 493 | 17.2:1 | |
| ALBA - Academia de Lenguaje y Bellas Artes Milwaukee School District · Charter | PK–08 | 593 | 15.4:1 | |
| Alcott Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 264 | 15:1 | |
| Allen-Field Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–05 | 451 | 11.7:1 | |
| Auer Avenue Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–05 | 151 | 18:1 | |
| Barbee Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 289 | 16.5:1 | |
| Barton Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–05 | 283 | 16.4:1 | |
| Bay View Montessori School Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 449 | 23.2:1 | |
| Bethune Academy Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 574 | 18.2:1 | |
| Brown Street Academy Milwaukee School District | PK–05 | 245 | 13.8:1 | |
| Browning Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–05 | 279 | 15.7:1 | |
| Bruce Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–05 | 270 | 18.2:1 | |
| Bruce Guadalupe United Community Center Inc · Charter | PK–08 | 1,364 | 13.8:1 | |
| Bryant Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–05 | 212 | 11.5:1 | |
| Burbank Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 552 | 16.7:1 | |
| Burdick Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 527 | 21.3:1 | |
| Carson Academy Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 326 | 16:1 | |
| Carver Academy Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 324 | 15.8:1 | |
| Cass Street Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 312 | 18.5:1 | |
| Clarke Street Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 167 | 11.1:1 | |
| Clemens Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–05 | 321 | 14:1 | |
| Clement Avenue Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 238 | 13.1:1 | |
| Collective Montessori School Inc Collective Montessori School Inc · Charter | PK–08 | — | — | |
| Congress Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 607 | 16:1 | |
| Cooper Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 447 | 18.2:1 | |
| Craig Montessori School Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 220 | 17.1:1 | |
| Curtin Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 301 | 17.1:1 | |
| Darrell Lynn Hines Academy Darrell L Hines Academy Inc · Charter | PK–08 | 180 | 23.1:1 | |
| Doerfler Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 609 | 18.1:1 | |
| Downtown Montessori Downtown Montessori Academy Inc · Charter | PK–08 | 218 | 13.6:1 | |
| Eighty-First Street Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–05 | 357 | 18.4:1 | |
| Elm Creative Arts Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–05 | 335 | 17.2:1 | |
| Emerson Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–05 | 187 | 13:1 | |
| Engleburg Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–05 | 286 | 14.2:1 | |
| Fairview Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 603 | 17.3:1 | |
| Fernwood Montessori Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 731 | 21.6:1 | |
| Fifty-Third Street Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 308 | 16.2:1 | |
| Forest Home Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–05 | 559 | 11.2:1 | |
| Franklin Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 311 | 17.9:1 | |
| Fratney Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–06 | 459 | 19.8:1 | |
| Gaenslen Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 641 | 11.7:1 | |
| Garland Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 541 | 17.8:1 | |
| Goodrich Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–05 | 312 | 15.1:1 | |
| Grantosa Drive Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 506 | 17.9:1 | |
| Greenfield Bilingual Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 556 | 15.8:1 | |
| Hampton Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–05 | 194 | 20.6:1 | |
| Hartford Avenue Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 256 | 15.6:1 | |
| Hawley Environmental School Milwaukee School District | PK–05 | 299 | 16.3:1 | |
| Hawthorne Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–05 | 259 | 16.1:1 | |
| Hayes Bilingual School Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 670 | 15.3:1 | |
| Hi-Mount Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 166 | 26.8:1 | |
| Highland Community School Milwaukee School District · Charter | PK–08 | 387 | 13.3:1 | |
| Holmes Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 260 | 13.5:1 | |
| Honey Creek Elementary Milwaukee School District · Charter | PK–05 | 393 | 19.7:1 | |
| Hopkins Lloyd Community School Milwaukee School District | PK–05 | 143 | 16:1 | |
| Humboldt Park Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 604 | 19.5:1 | |
| Ideal Milwaukee School District · Charter | PK–08 | 210 | 16.8:1 | |
| Jackson Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–05 | 206 | 11.5:1 | |
| Kagel Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 292 | 16.5:1 | |
| Keefe Avenue Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–05 | 125 | 15.2:1 | |
| Kilbourn Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–05 | 218 | 16.9:1 | |
| King Jr Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 277 | 15:1 | |
| Kluge Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–05 | 301 | 14.4:1 | |
| La Causa Charter School Milwaukee School District · Charter | PK–08 | 558 | 15.1:1 | |
| LaFollette Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 216 | 20.1:1 | |
| Lancaster Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 316 | 18.5:1 | |
| Lincoln Avenue Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–05 | 427 | 15.1:1 | |
| Longfellow Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 773 | 19.1:1 | |
| Lowell International Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–05 | 209 | 13.8:1 | |
| Manitoba Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 469 | 17.1:1 | |
| Maple Tree Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–05 | 235 | 17.9:1 | |
| Maryland Montessori Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 470 | 20.3:1 | |
| Metcalfe Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 296 | 15.8:1 | |
| Milwaukee Academy of Chinese Language Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 499 | 15.7:1 | |
| Milwaukee College Preparatory School -- 36th Street Campus Milwaukee School District · Charter | PK–08 | 486 | 27:1 | |
| Milwaukee College Preparatory School -- 38th Street Milwaukee School District · Charter | PK–08 | 474 | 29.6:1 | |
| Milwaukee College Preparatory School -- Lloyd Street Milwaukee School District · Charter | PK–08 | 492 | 25.9:1 | |
| Milwaukee College Preparatory School: Lola Rowe North Campus Milwaukee School District · Charter | PK–08 | 496 | 24.8:1 | |
| Milwaukee French Immersion Milwaukee School District | PK–05 | 426 | 20:1 | |
| Milwaukee German Immersion Milwaukee School District | PK–05 | 549 | 22.3:1 | |
| Milwaukee Math and Science Academy Milwaukee Math and Science Academy Inc · Charter | PK–08 | 241 | 17.2:1 | |
| Milwaukee Parkside School Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 859 | 16.8:1 | |
| Milwaukee Scholars Charter School Milwaukee Scholars Charter School Inc · Charter | PK–08 | 696 | 19.3:1 | |
| Milwaukee Sign Language Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 384 | 16:1 | |
| Milwaukee Spanish Immersion Milwaukee School District | PK–05 | 605 | 17.8:1 | |
| Mitchell Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 597 | 14.4:1 | |
| Morgandale Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 624 | 19.3:1 | |
| Neeskara Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–05 | 356 | 15.1:1 | |
| Ninety-Fifth Street Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–05 | 428 | 20.6:1 | |
| Parkview Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–05 | 335 | 16.3:1 | |
| Pratt Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–05 | 288 | 18.6:1 | |
| Riley Dual Language Montessori School Milwaukee School District | PK–07 | 239 | 16.4:1 | |
| River Trail School of Agricultural Science Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 406 | 19.4:1 | |
| Riverwest Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–05 | 244 | 16.2:1 | |
| Rocketship Southside Community Prep Rocketship Education Wisconsin Inc · Charter | PK–05 | 418 | 17.4:1 | |
| Rocketship Transformation Prep Rocketship Education Wisconsin Inc · Charter | PK–05 | 313 | 32.1:1 | |
| Rogers Street Academy Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 570 | 15.8:1 | |
| Seeds of Health Elementary Program Seeds of Health Inc · Charter | PK–08 | 380 | 16.5:1 | |
| Sherman Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 147 | 8.7:1 | |
| Siefert Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–05 | 174 | 14.7:1 | |
| Starms Discovery Milwaukee School District | 01–08 | 268 | 17.8:1 | |
| Starms Early Childhood Milwaukee School District | PK–KG | 205 | 17.7:1 | |
| Stormonth Elementary Fox Point J2 School District | PK–04 | 473 | 12.7:1 | |
| Story Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 365 | 16.4:1 | |
| Stuart Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–05 | 322 | 16.9:1 | |
| Thoreau Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 353 | 15.3:1 | |
| Thurston Woods Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 256 | 17.1:1 | |
| Townsend Street Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 257 | 16.1:1 | |
| Trowbridge Street School of Great Lakes Studies Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 228 | 13.9:1 | |
| U S Grant School Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 585 | 17.3:1 | |
| Victory Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 419 | 16.9:1 | |
| Vieau Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 713 | 16.2:1 | |
| Westside Academy Milwaukee School District | PK–05 | 159 | 15.1:1 | |
| Whitman Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–08 | 339 | 15.8:1 | |
| Whittier Elementary Milwaukee School District · Charter | PK–05 | 146 | 17.4:1 | |
| Woodlands School Woodlands School Inc · Charter | PK–08 | 313 | 17.3:1 | |
| Zablocki Elementary Milwaukee School District | PK–05 | 250 | 11.1:1 |
Middle schools in Milwaukee
10| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew S Douglas Middle Milwaukee School District | 06–08 | 106 | 13.3:1 | |
| Audubon Technology and Communication Middle Milwaukee School District | 06–08 | 345 | 14.2:1 | |
| Bayside Middle Fox Point J2 School District | 05–08 | 340 | 10.5:1 | |
| Carmen Middle School South Carmen High School of Science and Technology Inc · Charter | 06–08 | 191 | 12.7:1 | |
| King International Baccalaureate Middle Milwaukee School District | 06–08 | 159 | 10.3:1 | |
| Lincoln Middle Milwaukee School District | 06–08 | 309 | 15.5:1 | |
| Morse Mid Milwaukee School District | 06–08 | 383 | 21.1:1 | |
| Roosevelt Middle Milwaukee School District | 06–08 | 270 | 17.2:1 | |
| United Community Center Acosta Middle School United Community Center Inc · Charter | 06–08 | 188 | 11.1:1 | |
| Wedgewood Park School Milwaukee School District | 06–08 | 541 | 14.6:1 |
High schools in Milwaukee
39| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alliance School of Milwaukee Milwaukee School District · Charter | 09–12 | 141 | 13.2:1 | |
| ASSATA High Milwaukee School District · Alternative School | 09–12 | 78 | 27.5:1 | |
| Audubon Technology and Communication High Milwaukee School District | 09–12 | 436 | 16.4:1 | |
| Banner Preparatory School of Milwaukee Milwaukee School District · Alternative School | 06–12 | 49 | 16.3:1 | |
| Bay View High Milwaukee School District | 09–12 | 1,021 | 17.2:1 | |
| Bradley Technology High Milwaukee School District | 09–12 | 1,048 | 16.5:1 | |
| Carmen Hi Southeast Campus Milwaukee School District · Charter | 09–12 | 679 | 48.5:1 | |
| Carmen High School of Science and Technology South Campus Milwaukee School District · Charter | 09–12 | 382 | 19.1:1 | |
| Carmen Mid/Hi Northwest Campus Milwaukee School District · Charter | 06–12 | 526 | 35.1:1 | |
| DOC: Felmers O. Chaney Correctional Cent er Wisconsin Department of Corrections · Alternative School | 07–12 | 0 | — | |
| DOC: Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility Wisconsin Department of Corrections · Alternative School | 12–12 | 4 | 2:1 | |
| Escuela Verde Trans Center for Youth Inc · Charter | 09–12 | 121 | 12.1:1 | |
| Grandview High Milwaukee School District · Alternative School | 09–12 | 219 | 31.3:1 | |
| Green Tree Preparatory Academy Milwaukee School District · Charter | 06–12 | 535 | 22.4:1 | |
| Groppi High Milwaukee School District · Alternative School | 09–12 | 105 | 11.6:1 | |
| Hamilton High Milwaukee School District | 09–12 | 1,472 | 14.8:1 | |
| Harold S Vincent School of Agricultural Science Milwaukee School District | 09–12 | 611 | 15.1:1 | |
| James Madison Academic Campus Milwaukee School District | 09–12 | 468 | 14.6:1 | |
| King International Milwaukee School District | 09–12 | 1,308 | 18.1:1 | |
| Lad Lake Synergy School Milwaukee School District · Alternative School | 06–12 | 22 | 4.4:1 | |
| Marshall High Milwaukee School District | 09–12 | 639 | 14.3:1 | |
| Milwaukee County Youth Education Center Milwaukee School District · Alternative School | 06–12 | — | — | |
| Milwaukee High School of the Arts Milwaukee School District | 09–12 | 959 | 15.2:1 | |
| Milwaukee School of Languages Milwaukee School District | 06–12 | 964 | 16.1:1 | |
| North Division High Milwaukee School District | 09–12 | 346 | 12.5:1 | |
| NOVA-Northwest Opportunities Vocational Academy Milwaukee School District · Alternative School | 09–12 | 104 | 17.4:1 | |
| Pathways High Pathways High Inc · Charter | 09–12 | 149 | 15.7:1 | |
| Project STAY-Supporting Teachers and Youth Milwaukee School District · Alternative School | 09–12 | 114 | 12.1:1 | |
| Pulaski High Milwaukee School District | 09–12 | 1,041 | 17.8:1 | |
| Reagan College Preparatory High Milwaukee School District | 09–12 | 1,372 | 20.9:1 | |
| Riverside High Milwaukee School District | 09–12 | 1,240 | 17.6:1 | |
| Shalom High Milwaukee School District · Alternative School | 09–12 | 101 | 16.9:1 | |
| South Accelerated Academy Milwaukee School District · Alternative School | 09–12 | 57 | 14.2:1 | |
| South Division High Milwaukee School District | 09–12 | 923 | 13.9:1 | |
| Tenor High Seeds of Health Inc · Charter | 09–12 | 651 | 24.1:1 | |
| Transition High Milwaukee School District · Alternative School | 09–12 | 90 | 9.8:1 | |
| Veritas High Seeds of Health Inc · Charter | 09–12 | 256 | 20:1 | |
| Vincent Accelerated Academy Milwaukee School District · Alternative School | 09–12 | 53 | 19.5:1 | |
| WHS Information Technology Milwaukee School District | 09–12 | 402 | 16.2:1 |
Combined, early-childhood, and other schools in Milwaukee
10| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dr Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy Dr Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy Inc · Charter | PK–12 | 608 | 60.8:1 | |
| Golda Meir School Milwaukee School District | 03–12 | 1,192 | 18.8:1 | |
| Grant Gordon Learning Center Milwaukee School District | PK–PK | 1 | 0.2:1 | |
| HAPA-Hmong American Peace Academy K3-12 Milwaukee School District · Charter | PK–12 | 1,974 | 26.3:1 | |
| MacDowell Montessori School K3-12 Milwaukee School District | PK–12 | 823 | 16.2:1 | |
| Milwaukee Academy of Science Milwaukee Science Education Consortium Inc · Charter | PK–12 | 1,711 | 17.6:1 | |
| Milwaukee Virtual School Milwaukee School District · Charter | PK–12 | — | — | |
| Next Door Charter Milwaukee School District · Charter | PK–PK | 120 | 13.3:1 | |
| Obama School of Career and Technical Education Milwaukee School District | PK–12 | 1,294 | 30.1:1 | |
| Wisconsin Conservatory of Lifelong Learning Milwaukee School District | PK–12 | 286 | 13.1:1 |
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White9%
- Hispanic30%
- Black47.7%
- Asian8.4%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.3%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.1%
- Multiracial4.3%
Enrollment-weighted across 172 Milwaukee schools with NCES CCD 2024–25 race/ethnicity counts (74,091 students). Privacy suppression can leave small gaps.
Questions about public schools in Milwaukee
How many public schools are in Milwaukee, WI?
The current NCES directory lists 176 open public schools with a location address in Milwaukee: 117 elementary, 10 middle, 39 high, 10 combined or other. Together they reported 74,091 students in 2024–25. The count includes charter, alternative, and special-purpose public schools; it excludes private schools.
Which school districts serve Milwaukee?
Schools with an address in Milwaukee belong to 17 education agencies, led by Milwaukee School District (154 schools), Seeds of Health Inc (3 schools), Fox Point J2 School District (2 schools). A mailing city is not an attendance boundary; confirm the district for a specific address.
What is the largest public high school in Milwaukee?
Hamilton High reported the largest high-school enrollment in Milwaukee, with 1,472 students in 2024–25 (grades 09–12). Size is a description of the campus, not a quality measure.
Are there charter schools in Milwaukee?
Yes. 36 of the 176 public schools in Milwaukee are identified as charter schools in the NCES directory, including ALBA - Academia de Lenguaje y Bellas Artes, Alliance School of Milwaukee, Bruce Guadalupe. Charter schools are public and tuition-free, but admission usually uses an application or lottery.
What is the typical student–teacher ratio in Milwaukee schools?
The median reported student–teacher ratio across Milwaukee public schools is 16.4:1, higher than the Wisconsin school median of 13.2:1. The ratio divides enrollment by classroom-teacher FTE; it is not an average class size.
Does living in Milwaukee guarantee a seat at a specific school?
No. Assignment depends on the district's attendance boundaries, programs, and enrollment rules, which can split a city or cross city lines. Use the district profile and its official boundary or school-locator tool to confirm the assigned school for an exact address.
Nearby Wisconsin cities
Sources: NCES Common Core of Data 2025–26 preliminary directory (schools, grades, addresses, charter status) and 2024–25 nonfiscal files (enrollment, teachers, race/ethnicity, meal eligibility); Civil Rights Data Collection 2021–22 (AP and computer science). Cities are grouped by school mailing address. Methodology · All Wisconsin cities