Photo: "Tichnor Quality Views," Reg. U. S. Pat. Off. Made Only by Tichnor Bros., Inc., Boston, Mass. · Public domainMadison’s public schools outscore 52% of South Dakota districts
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 South Dakota, not nationally.
From South Dakota 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.
Madison’s schools, in brief
Above the state in reading, below in math
Reading proficiency is 52% and math 38% in spring 2022, against 51% and 42% statewide; 85–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $11,654 per student, against $13,040 across South Dakota (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one middle and one high school
From grade 6 the district’s path is Madison Middle School - 02, then Madison High School - 01. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Thomas School (private) is 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.
What’s behind Madison’s grade
B−: better than 52% of South Dakota school districts, #22 of 35 South Dakota towns. Graduation is above the South Dakota average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Madison, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Madison
Madison Elementary - 07
Grades K–5 · 515 students · 16:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Madison
Madison Elementary - 07
Grades K–5 · 515 students · 16:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Madison
Madison Elementary - 07
Grades K–5 · 515 students · 16:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Madison
Madison Elementary - 07
Grades K–5 · 515 students · 16:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Madison
Madison Elementary - 07
Grades K–5 · 515 students · 16:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Madison
Madison Elementary - 07
Grades K–5 · 515 students · 16:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Madison
Madison Middle School - 02
Grades 6–8 · 270 students · 12:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Madison
Madison Middle School - 02
Grades 6–8 · 270 students · 12:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Madison
Madison Middle School - 02
Grades 6–8 · 270 students · 12:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Madison
Madison High School - 01
Grades 9–12 · 384 students · 15:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Madison
Madison High School - 01
Grades 9–12 · 384 students · 15:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Madison
Madison High School - 01
Grades 9–12 · 384 students · 15:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Madison
Madison High School - 01
Grades 9–12 · 384 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Madison’s public schools are run by Madison Central School District 39-2, which also serves Clarno, Concord, Farmington and Herman and others. 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.
Close to the state in reading
Madison vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the South Dakota towns that share Madison’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Madison | B− | Madison Central School District 39-2 |
| Lake View | — | Madison Central School District 39-2 |
| Herman | — | Madison Central School District 39-2 |
| Le Roy | — | Oldham-Ramona-Rutland 39-6 PK–12 · Madison Central School District 39-2 K–12 |
All 3 neighbors share Madison Central School District 39-2 with Madison, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Madison
4 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with South Dakota’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Madison’s schools
Are Madison’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of South Dakota: the public schools Madison children attend outscore 52% of South Dakota’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #22 of 35 South Dakota towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 48%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Madison in?
Madison Central School District 39-2, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 1,169 students in 3 schools (2024–25).
Where do Madison kids go to high school?
Madison High School - 01, with 384 students; its own test results earn a B.
What is Madison’s graduation rate?
85–89% of the class of 2023 in Madison Central School District 39-2 graduated in four years, against 84% across South Dakota.
How much does Madison spend per student?
$11,654 in Madison Central School District 39-2 (FY2024), against $13,040 across South Dakota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Madison?
Yes: St. Thomas School (Catholic, grades PK–5, 74 students).
Parents talk
What Madison families are saying about school.
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 South Dakota. Stars are from neighbors.