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Madison, ConnecticutPhoto: Léo Schmitt · CC BY-SA 4.0
A
Schools in Madison · Madison School District

Madison’s public schools outscore 89% of Connecticut districts

In Madison, 70% of tested students are proficient in math, above the Connecticut average (40%). The grade covers the public school district serving Madison, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Connecticut, not nationally.

#11of 152 Connecticut townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Connecticut state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
74%
▲ 24 pts vs CT 50%
2021–22
Math proficiency
70%
▲ 30 pts vs CT 40%
2021–22
Graduate on time
97%
▲ 9 pts vs CT 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$27.9K
▲ 8% vs CT $25.9K
FY2024
Students per teacher
10.6
CT 12.2 · smaller classes
Schools in town
7
2,374 students on the public path
In brief

Madison’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 95 Connecticut towns with household incomes within a quarter of Madison’s, its schools beat 81%, lower than their 89% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 74% and math 70% in spring 2022, against 50% and 40% statewide; 97% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $27,863 per student, against $25,892 across Connecticut (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Two elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Walter C. Polson Middle School, then Daniel Hand High School. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

The Country School (private) and Grove School (private) are in town. Every school ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Madison’s grade

A Test scoresB+ Graduation

A: better than 89% of Connecticut school districts, #11 of 152 Connecticut towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Connecticut average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

Connecticut school districts we grade (199)Better than 89%
Lower resultsHigher results
Connecticut towns with similar household incomes (95)Better than 81%
A−AA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,248 test results and a graduating class of 220 could put Madison anywhere from A− to A. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Madison’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,248 in math, 1,248 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Madison, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–32 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressA− to A
6–8Walter C. Polson Middle SchoolMadison School DistrictA
9–12Daniel Hand High SchoolMadison School DistrictA+

Madison’s public schools are run by Madison School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Madison School DistrictGrades K–12 · 5 schools · 2,374 students, down 2% since 2020–21 · 10.6 per teacher (CT 12.2)
$27,863CT $25,892 · FY2024
A
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading74%
State average 50.5% · 1248 students tested
Math70%
State average 39.8% · 1248 students tested

Madison vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Connecticut towns that share Madison’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
MadisonAMadison
KillingworthA−Regional School District 17
GuilfordA−Guilford
ClintonBClinton
DurhamB−Regional School District 13

Every school in Madison

7 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Connecticut’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Madisonby address
J. Milton Jeffrey Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–3
A
407 students13:1Rate it →
Kathleen H. Ryerson Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–3
A−
314 students12:1Rate it →
Dr. Robert H. Brown Intermediate School
Elementary · Grades 4–5
A
361 students11:1Rate it →
Walter C. Polson Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
A
541 students10:1Rate it →
Daniel Hand High School
High · Grades 9–12
A+
751 students10:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
The Country School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Nonsectarian
208 students6:1Rate it →
Grove School
High · Grades 8–12
Private · Special education
96 students4:1Rate it →

Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Neck River Elementary School).

Questions about Madison’s schools

Are Madison’s schools good?

By Connecticut’s own tests, yes: the public schools Madison children attend outscore 89% of Connecticut’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #11 of 152 Connecticut towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 81%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Madison in?

Madison School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 2,374 students in 5 schools (2024–25).

Where do Madison kids go to high school?

Daniel Hand High School, with 751 students; its own test results earn an A+.

What is Madison’s graduation rate?

97% of the class of 2023 in Madison School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Connecticut.

How much does Madison spend per student?

$27,863 in Madison School District (FY2024), against $25,892 across Connecticut. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Madison?

Yes: The Country School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 208 students) and Grove School (special education, grades 8–12, 96 students).

Parents talk

What Madison families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Madison → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Connecticut. Stars are from neighbors.