Enrollment
923
Wisconsin · 2024-25 NCES data
High school (grades 9-12) · Milwaukee, WI
South Division High
Federal NCES profile for South Division High, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 38/100.
2024-25 NCES dataHigh school (grades 9-12)NCES 550960001247
👥 S:T ratio 40
📚 AP courses 25
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 54
📋 Attendance 0
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
South Division High earns 38/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 70% of Wisconsin schools. It is also more racially and ethnically mixed than most Wisconsin schools.
- #16 of 34
- high schools in Milwaukee · Resource Index
- 38
- Resource Index · Typical
- 14.9:1
- large classes for Wisconsin
- 83.6%
- free-lunch eligible
South Division High has class sizes larger than 70% of Wisconsin schools. Computed live against every Wisconsin school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, South Division High ranks #16 of 34 high schools in Milwaukee, WI.
School address
District: Milwaukee School District · Wisconsin
NCES ID 550960001247 Verify on NCES CCD record →
Teachers (FTE)
62.0
Federal CCD staff survey
Students per teacher
14.9:1
vs 14.4:1 Wisconsin avg
+3% vs state
Free-lunch eligible
83.6%
vs 38.5% Wisconsin avg
+117% vs state
Student-teacher ratio in context
How South Division High compares with Wisconsin and U.S. medians
What stands out at South Division High
South Division High is a high-poverty, large high school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, enrolling 923 students.
Class loads run somewhat heavier than typical: 14.9:1 puts it in the larger third of Wisconsin schools by student-teacher ratio.
Economic need is high: 83.6% of students qualify for free meals, 117% above the Wisconsin average, a Title I-weighted population that federal funding formulas prioritise.
By headcount it is one of the larger campuses in Wisconsin, bigger than 94% of state schools at 923 students.
Its Resource Investment Index sits near the middle of the pack among 2,202 scored Wisconsin schools.
Against 41 statewide peers matched on enrollment and economic need, it ranks in the upper tier at #7.
Its student body is led by Hispanic or Latino (57%) and African American (25%), more mixed than most schools in the state (diversity index 60/100).
On the academic-pipeline side it reports 5 Advanced Placement courses.
Counselor coverage is strong, about 231 students per counselor, inside the American School Counselor Association's recommended 250:1.
Chronic absenteeism is elevated: 86.1% of students missed 10% or more of school days (2021-22 Civil Rights Data Collection).
The surrounding Milwaukee School District spends $17,847 per pupil, 20% above the Wisconsin average, a better-resourced district than most.
Its district draws 15.0% of revenue from federal sources, an above-typical federal share that tends to track a higher-need student population.
Discipline events run high: 307 in- and out-of-school suspensions were reported for 923 students in the 2021-22 Civil Rights Data Collection.
The federal civil-rights collection also records 9 expulsions at this campus for 2021-22.
Among Milwaukee's high schools, it stands alongside Hamilton High (1,472 students): South Division High is smaller than that campus by headcount and runs heavier classes (14.9:1 vs 14.6:1).
Milwaukee School District also operates Hapa-Hmong American Peace Academy K3-12 (1,974 students) and Hamilton High (1,472 students) alongside South Division High.
Sourced from NCES CCD, CRDC, and F-33 (federal records, not a quality verdict). How we source and compute this.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics Common Core of Data + CRDC + F-33 · 2024-25
How South Division High compares
South Division High on the metrics families compare, against Wisconsin and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Wisconsin | Wisconsin avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 14.9:1 | ▲ 3% | 14.4:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 83.6% | ▲ 117% | 38.5% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 923 | top 6% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
14.9:1
Leaner classes than 48% of US schools, a middle-of-the-pack class size.
923
Bigger than 89% of US schools by enrollment, a large campus nationally.
Equity indicators (what these measure)
Economic need
83.6%
free-lunch eligible
- 117% above the Wisconsin average of 38.5%
Well above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold, among the highest-need profiles in the state; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
14.9:1
students per teacher
- 3% above state mean
Top 70% in Wisconsin - lower ratio than 30% of state schools
Close to the 15:1 benchmark most often cited for individualized attention.
Engagement
86.1%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
At or above 20%, the commonly used threshold for "high" chronic absenteeism, signaling significant barriers to regular attendance.
Funding equity
$17,847
per pupil, district-wide
- above Wisconsin avg of $14,919
Somewhat above the U.S. public-school average, reflecting higher local or state investment per enrolled student.
Support staff
Counselors4.0 FTE
Per 231 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
0
in-school suspensions + 307 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.0 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 33.3 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection. Includes 9 expulsions.
Overview
- Common Core of Data (June 2026): enrollment, staffing, and the student-teacher ratio above.
- Civil Rights Data Collection: discipline counts and program access (AP, gifted, special education).
- F-33 School District Finance Survey: the district-wide per-pupil spending figures below.
Three separate federal collections, each on its own reporting cadence - which is why this school's numbers line up on a consistent basis against every other school and state on this site, rather than mixing figures pulled from different survey years.
Student demographics
Hispanic or Latino 56.9%
African American 24.8%
Asian 13.4%
White 2.5%
Two or More 2.0%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.4%
Largest group: Hispanic or Latino at 56.9% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 59.6/100
Simpson diversity index - at 59.6, South Division High is more mixed than the Wisconsin school average of 35.7.
Programs
AP courses offered 5
Gifted & talented Yes
Funding & spending
District-wide per-pupil expenditure for Milwaukee School District, which includes South Division High.
$17,847
Per student
+20%
vs Wisconsin
Avg $14,919
+8%
vs U.S.
Avg $16,593
Revenue mix
Local 27.3%
State 57.7%
Federal 15.0%
Source: NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey District-level finance · FY 2021-22 Per-pupil expenditure reflects the district-wide average. Individual school budgets are not reported at the federal level.
How South Division High Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hapa-Hmong American Peace Academy K3-12 | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Hamilton High | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Reagan College Preparatory High | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| King International | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Obama School of Career and Technical Education | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to South Division High's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 1,974
- Students per teacher
- 30.8:1
- Resource Index
- 20/100
- Enrollment
- 1,472
- Students per teacher
- 14.6:1
- Resource Index
- 46/100
- Enrollment
- 1,372
- Students per teacher
- 22.5:1
- Resource Index
- 36/100
- Enrollment
- 1,308
- Students per teacher
- 18.2:1
- Resource Index
- 34/100
- Enrollment
- 1,294
- Students per teacher
- 27.5:1
- Resource Index
- 23/100
Similar high schools in Milwaukee
6 comparable high schools (grades 9-12) serving the same city.
Hamilton High
Standard public school
1,472 students 14.6:1 students per teacher
Reagan College Preparatory High
Standard public school
1,372 students 22.5:1 students per teacher
King International
Standard public school
1,308 students 18.2:1 students per teacher
Riverside High
Standard public school
1,240 students 13.9:1 students per teacher
Bradley Technology High
Standard public school
1,048 students 19.1:1 students per teacher
Pulaski High
Standard public school
1,041 students 15.1:1 students per teacher
Similar high schools statewide
Matched by enrollment size and by staffing ratio across all of Wisconsin, not just this city - a different peer set than the local comparisons above.
Similar enrollment (~923 students)
Similar student-teacher ratio (~14.9:1)
Next steps
Verify locally before acting on South Division High's federal record.
- Compare South Division High against another school. Compare schools
- Milwaukee School District's spending and staffing shape this school. District profile
- Confirm current enrollment and boundaries with the school. Choosing guide
Federal record (CCD 2024-25, CRDC 2021-22) - PlainSchools assigns no subjective rating; the composite quality score is a transparent, reproducible index computed from this cited federal data.
Frequently asked questions about South Division High
How many students attend South Division High?
South Division High has 923 students enrolled. It is a high school in Milwaukee, WI.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Division High?
The student-teacher ratio at South Division High is 14.9:1, which is 3% higher than the Wisconsin average of 14.4:1 and 5% lower than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at South Division High?
83.6% of students at South Division High are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Wisconsin average of 38.5%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of South Division High?
The largest demographic group at South Division High is Hispanic or Latino at 56.9% of enrollment, in Milwaukee, WI. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 59.6/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for South Division High?
South Division High has a Resource Investment Index of 38/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 5 factors: student-teacher ratio, AP course offerings, counselor availability, attendance rates. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does South Division High rank among high schools in Milwaukee?
By Resource Investment Index, South Division High ranks #16 of 34 high schools in Milwaukee, WI. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all high schools in Milwaukee on the city page.
Is South Division High a good school?
South Division High earns 38/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 70% of Wisconsin schools. It is also more racially and ethnically mixed than most Wisconsin schools. This is a resource snapshot, not an academic rating; see the Resource Investment Index question above for what the number does and doesn't measure.
What other schools are in Milwaukee School District?
Besides South Division High, Milwaukee School District also operates Hapa-Hmong American Peace Academy K3-12 (1,974 students), Hamilton High (1,472 students), and Reagan College Preparatory High (1,372 students). See the Milwaukee School District district page for the complete list.
Related tools
Every figure on PlainSchools is rendered directly from the source NCES, CRDC and F-33 federal records, no number is typed in by an editor. Each school's figures reflect its most recent NCES/CRDC submission on file. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of June 2026.