The top reported proficiency rate is 6% in English language arts. The lowest is 0% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on King International Baccalaureate Middle
King International Baccalaureate Middle is a regular public school in the Milwaukee School District serving grades six through eight. Its name signals an International Baccalaureate program, though the data available does not describe how the IB curriculum is structured or how widely it is implemented at this campus. Families drawn to the IB framework may want to ask the school directly about course offerings, teacher training, and the path from the Middle Years Programme to high school.
The student body is overwhelmingly Black, with a very small share of students from other racial and ethnic backgrounds. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, placing the school in a high-poverty context. The school is located in the Harambee neighborhood on Milwaukee’s north side, within a city that remains one of the most racially segregated in the country, a pattern with roots in early-20th-century redlining.
State assessment results from the most recent testing year show extremely low proficiency rates across every subject and grade level tested. In mathematics, sixth and eighth graders posted no proficient scores, and seventh graders had a very small share reaching that bar. In English language arts, sixth graders had a modest share proficient, but seventh and eighth graders had virtually none. In science and social studies, tested only in eighth grade, no students met the proficiency threshold. When compared with other districts in Milwaukee County, King International Baccalaureate Middle sits in the bottom quartile for overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades. This is a clear signal that the vast majority of students are performing well below grade-level expectations.
Because the school serves only middle grades, there is no graduation rate to report. Data on chronic absenteeism, discipline, staffing, and course access were not available in the provided records, so a full picture of school climate and student support cannot be drawn from this profile. A parent or guardian considering the school would be well served by visiting, talking to staff about academic interventions and enrichment, and asking how the school supports students who enter below grade level.
The building is part of Milwaukee Public Schools, a large urban district that is navigating several structural challenges. In 2024, voters approved a referendum to fund accessibility upgrades in aging school buildings, a multi-year property-tax-backed commitment that signals sustained investment in physical infrastructure. At the same time, the district is projecting a budget shortfall for the coming school year driven by declining enrollment and the expiration of federal pandemic relief funds, and it is considering program cuts, staffing reductions, and potential school consolidations as part of its Long Range Facilities Plan. These district-level pressures could affect class sizes, course availability, and the stability of school assignments in the years ahead.
Housing in the surrounding area reflects a moderately priced urban market typical of older industrial cities in the Midwest. Home values and rents have risen modestly in recent years, but the region remains more affordable than many comparable metro areas. The county’s inventory of homes for sale has increased, giving buyers more options, and homes typically sell within a few weeks of listing.
For a family weighing options, King International Baccalaureate Middle offers an IB-branded program in a setting where the student population is predominantly Black and economically disadvantaged and where academic proficiency levels are very low. The district context includes both a commitment to facility upgrades and the prospect of budget-driven reductions. A careful conversation with the school about how the IB framework is actually delivered, what academic supports are in place, and how the school engages families would be essential before making a decision.
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