9th–12th Grade

South Division High School

9th–12th Grade

South Division High School

9th–12th Grade

South Division High School

Academics

Academic programs at South Division High School are diverse and designed to help students cultivate their unique talents and abilities.

Students can attend college courses on our campus, develop independence and competitive career skills in apprenticeship or transition programs, learn a second or third language — even earn the prestigious Seal of Biliteracy.

All courses of study are aligned to Common Core State Standards that set goals for what students learn at each grade level. Dedicated faculty and staff support our students every step of the way, encouraging them to pursue personalized paths to graduation day that prepare them for college or career, citizenship and service.

For a complete list of the district’s high school programs, courses, and graduation requirements, review the MPS High School Programs and Graduation Requirements guide.

Ambitious Instruction Plan

The Milwaukee Public Schools Ambitious Instruction Plan recognizes and celebrates that our students come from many cultures and backgrounds. This plan focuses on high-quality, culturally appropriate teaching and learning. Our goal is to ensure that every student develops reading, writing, and math skills in ways that are meaningful to their individual lives and experiences. Our staff works together to understand each learner and find appropriate ways to assess and improve their progress. We then make sure that students can apply what they have learned in productive ways in school and in their community.

Common Core State Standards

The curriculum in Milwaukee Public Schools is based on Common Core State Standards. These standards were developed with teachers, school administrators, and experts to prepare all children for college and the workforce.

Advanced Placement (AP)

Sponsored by the College Board and taught by South Division teachers, Advanced Placement courses give students the chance to tackle advanced content and earn college credit.

Career and Technical Education

South Division students interested in careers in education/training or health sciences can earn high school and college credit, develop trade and technical skills, and participate in internships and apprenticeships before they graduate by participating in dual enrollment, career academy, and internship and apprenticeship opportunities.

Career Academies – Education and Health Sciences

South Division’s NAF Academy of Education and NAF Academy of Health Sciences are part of the nationwide NAF network. After four years of career-focused classes, field experiences, and networking that extends from our classrooms into the community, South Division graduates with NAF experience have a competitive edge in applying for college, scholarships, and jobs.

Internships

South Division students who participate in an MPS internship are employed for a specific period of time to learn about a particular industry or occupation.

School-to-Work Transition Program

For three decades, the MPS School-to-Work Transition Program (STWTP) has placed students with special education needs at worksites across Milwaukee where they develop employment readiness and independent living skills while earning credit toward their high school diploma.

Youth Apprenticeships

Learning a trade and earning a paycheck are among the benefits of youth apprenticeships for junior and senior students who alternate classes at South Division with trade apprenticeships. Each student is paired with a mentor who is a journeyman in a student’s chosen trade. Construction and HVAC apprenticeships are especially popular with South Division students.

Core Subjects

Students enroll in classes — ranging from foundational to advanced — that fulfill graduation requirements in these core subjects: English/Language Arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and world languages.

Credit Recovery

Students who earn a “U” or “D” in a core course may use this district-approved online curriculum to recover credits.

Dual Enrollment

Students earn high school and college credit, at the same time, in dual enrollment courses. South Division educators with advanced degrees may be approved to teach Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) or UW-Milwaukee (UWM) courses in our school. Depending on the course, some students may even attend classes on the MATC or UW-Milwaukee campus.

Early College Credit

Wisconsin high schoolers can take one or more courses at an institution of higher education.

M-Cubed College Connections Program

The M3 College Connections program is an innovative dual enrollment program of Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS), Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC), and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) that allows eligible students to complete their high school graduation requirements while earning college credits from both MATC and UWM at no expense to the student. Students successfully completing the program have guaranteed admission to MATC and UWM. Students must be in good standing and on track to graduate in order to participate in the program.

Start College Now

Wisconsin high schoolers can take one or more courses at a two-year or technical college.

Electives

Students can fulfill graduation and college entrance requirements while gaining new insight and knowledge in elective courses. Elective courses typically reflect a school’s focus, such as the arts, engineering, technical education, or foreign language.

English Learners

Approximately fifty percent of South Division students are English learners. The school offers specialized academic programs to accommodate English learners from more than a dozen linguistic backgrounds.

Bilingual Dual Language Program

South Division is home to one of Wisconsin’s largest bilingual high school programs, enrolling 300 to 400 Spanish-speaking students who become proficient speakers, readers, and writers of English and Spanish as they work with bilingual and ESL faculty.

International Newcomer Center

Provides instruction for approximately 30 recent refugee or immigrant students with limited English-language proficiency who have experienced interrupted learning. Students from Tanzania, Myanmar, Sudan, Malaysia, Eritrea and other countries attend classes as a cohort, including art, gym, and music electives, as well as reading intervention and math courses.

Sheltered Instructional Observation Protocol (SIOP)

Students transition from the International Newcomer Center to our Sheltered Program, a program that scaffolds instruction using the SIOP Model, developing bilingual and biliteracy skills. Approximately 180 students attend classes together, working with English as a Second Language (ESL) faculty.

Seal of Biliteracy

The Seal of Biliteracy is awarded to high school seniors who show English language proficiency, proficiency in another language, and sociocultural competency. Students who successfully earn the seal receive a special Seal of Biliteracy certificate issued by the State of Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction when they graduate. Graduates also receive a lapel pin signifying their completion of the program, and the accomplishment is noted on the student’s high school transcript.

Special Education

MPS serves all children with disabilities, including cognitive, emotional, hearing, learning, physical, speech, and vision disabilities. The school’s special education teachers, regular education teachers, school social worker, school psychologist, and administration work together to meet students’ needs.

If you think your child has special education needs, ask your child’s teacher or principal for an evaluation. For general questions about special education or specialized services, please call (414) 874-8493.