Best private high schools in Wisconsin
As filmmaker and writer Nora Ephron said during a '96 commencement address at Wellesley College, "Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead." If that's the case, high school may be one of the greatest dress rehearsals of all.
It's a place where students explore their interests, dive into extracurricular activities, finally get the freedom to choose their own classes, and prepare for college or the workplace. For many of these students and their families, education is key: 1.4 million students enrolled in private high schools in fall 2021, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. There were about 3,600 private secondary schools nationwide as of 2020.
For many anxious parents, getting their kids into the best of these private high schools is of the utmost importance. Some families even move homes to send their kids to better schools. However, among all of these thousands of schools, a few stand out for their academic excellence, incredible track records, and the future success of their young students.
Stacker compiled a list of the best private high schools in Wisconsin using 2024 rankings from Niche. Niche uses seven weighted factors for its rankings. A majority of the score is based on academics, but other factors include culture and diversity; sports; clubs and activities; resources; and surveys of parents, teachers, and students.
#30. St. Joan Antida High School
- Location: Milwaukee, WI
- Enrollment: 167 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#29. Shoreland Lutheran High School
- Location: Kenosha, WI
- Enrollment: 370 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#28. Lourdes Academy
- Location: Oshkosh, WI
- Enrollment: 629 (14:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#27. Providence Academy
- Location: La Crosse, WI
- Enrollment: 95 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#26. Bethel Christian School
- Location: Eau Claire, WI
- Enrollment: 25 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#25. Youth Initiative High School
- Location: Viroqua, WI
- Enrollment: 64 (4:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#24. St. Thomas More High School
- Location: Milwaukee, WI
- Enrollment: 566 (13:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#23. Newman Catholic Middle and High School
- Location: Wausau, WI
- Enrollment: 143 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#22. Pius XI Catholic High School
- Location: Milwaukee, WI
- Enrollment: 737 (13:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#21. Notre Dame de la Baie Academy
- Location: Green Bay, WI
- Enrollment: 776 (14:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#20. Abundant Life Christian School
- Location: Madison, WI
- Enrollment: 293 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#19. St. Mary Catholic High School
- Location: Neenah, WI
- Enrollment: 273 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#18. Martin Luther High School
- Location: Greendale, WI
- Enrollment: 653 (16:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#17. Eagle School
- Location: Richland Center, WI
- Enrollment: 96 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#16. Catholic Memorial High School
- Location: Waukesha, WI
- Enrollment: 575 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#15. Xavier Catholic Schools
- Location: Appleton, WI
- Enrollment: 1,482 (15:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#14. Dominican High School
- Location: Whitefish Bay, WI
- Enrollment: 332 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#13. Wisconsin Lutheran High School
- Location: Milwaukee, WI
- Enrollment: 857 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#12. Divine Savior Holy Angels High School
- Location: Milwaukee, WI
- Enrollment: 686 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#11. Eastbrook Academy
- Location: Milwaukee, WI
- Enrollment: 395 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#10. Marquette University High School
- Location: Milwaukee, WI
- Enrollment: 894 (14:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#9. St. Lawrence Seminary High School
- Location: Mount Calvary, WI
- Enrollment: 136 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#8. Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart
- Location: Madison, WI
- Enrollment: 620 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#7. University Lake School
- Location: Hartland, WI
- Enrollment: 257 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#6. St. John's Northwestern Academies
- Location: Delafield, WI
- Enrollment: 176 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#5. University School of Milwaukee
- Location: Milwaukee, WI
- Enrollment: 1,142 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#4. The Prairie School
- Location: Wind Point, WI
- Enrollment: 638 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#3. Wayland Academy
- Location: Beaver Dam, WI
- Enrollment: 165 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#2. Madison Country Day School
- Location: Waunakee, WI
- Enrollment: 451 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#1. Brookfield Academy
- Location: Brookfield, WI
- Enrollment: 873 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Emma Rubin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.
