University School of Milwaukee's nationally recognized, education-based athletic program provides valuable lessons for student athletes such as teamwork, sportsmanship, work ethic, and leadership. USM embraces the NCAA Division III philosophy, which stresses athletic programs that support, not compete with, academics. Approximately 90% of all Upper School students participate in at least one sport each year, and USM's no-cut policy exemplifies the school's commitment to providing athletic opportunities to all students. Supporting 25 varsity sport offerings and 13 Middle School sport offerings, USM embraces the "teacher as a coach" model with 38 coaches on staff that hold NFHS accreditation. USM has won more than 30 state championships over the past 10 years, and has been named a recipient of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Award of Excellence three times.

In support of the athletic program, USM's many indoor and outdoor athletic facilities are primely situated on our beautiful 125-acre campus. These include the Polly and Henry Uihlein Ice Arena, four gymnasiums, a comprehensive fitness center, the Pennington Athletic Complex's two outdoor synthetic turf fields, six grass fields for competition and practice, eight tennis courts, a turf baseball field, and a wooded cross country trail.