Photo: college.library · CC BY 2.0Madison’s public schools score below 71% of Wisconsin districts on tests and graduation
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 Wisconsin, not nationally.
From Wisconsin state tests taken in spring 2022, when 92% 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
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 38% of tested students were proficient in reading and 35% in math, against 38% and 39% statewide; 92% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
86% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90% across Wisconsin. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $18,827 per student, against $16,459 across Wisconsin (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
28 elementary schools, then 11 middle and four high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Isthmus Montessori Academy Public, Badger Rock Middle, Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart (private), Our Lady Queen of Peace School (private), Abundant Life Christian School (private), Edgewood Campus School (private), Lighthouse Christian School (private), Blessed Sacrament School (private), St. Dennis School (private), High Point Christian School (private), St. Ambrose Academy (private), Madinah Academy of Madison (private), Holy Cross Lutheran School (private), Our Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran School (private), Eastside Lutheran School (private), St. Maria Goretti Catholic School (private), St. James School (private), Wingra School (private), Woodland Montessori School (private), Wings to Soar Online Academy (private), Operation Fresh Start (private), Richardson School (private), Montessori Childrens House (private), Toad Hill Childrens House (private), Preschool of the Arts (private), Horizon High (private) and Acton Academy Madison West (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.
What’s behind Madison’s grade
C: better than 29% of Wisconsin school districts, #302 of 362 Wisconsin towns. Both inputs trail the Wisconsin average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Madison, with each school’s own grade.
Madison’s public schools are run by Madison Metropolitan School District, which also serves Maple Bluff and Shorewood Hills. Parts of Madison (7%, 6%, 4% and 3% of its land) are served by Sun Prairie Area, Middleton-Cross Plains, McFarland and DeForest Area instead. 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 Wisconsin towns that share Madison’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Madison | C | Madison Metropolitan |
| Burke | B+ | DeForest Area PK–12 · Sun Prairie Area PK–12 |
| Blooming Grove | B+ | Oregon PK–12 · Monona Grove PK–12 |
| Westport | A | Waunakee |
| Monona | B | Monona Grove |
| Fitchburg | B+ | Oregon PK–12 · Verona Area PK–12 |
| Middleton | A | Middleton-Cross Plains |
| Verona | B+ | Verona Area |
| Cottage Grove | B | Monona Grove PK–12 · Deerfield PK–12 |
| McFarland | D | McFarland |
| Sun Prairie | B | Sun Prairie Area |
Every school in Madison
77 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Wisconsin’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 4 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Central Wisconsin Center, Mendota Mental Health Institution, Metro School and Innovative and Alternative Middle). 1 duplicate private-school records merged.
Questions about Madison’s schools
Are Madison’s schools good?
On Wisconsin’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Madison children attend score below 71% of Wisconsin’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #302 of 362 Wisconsin towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 28%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Madison in?
Madison Metropolitan School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 25,155 students in 53 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Madison are served by Sun Prairie Area, Middleton-Cross Plains, McFarland and DeForest Area.
Where do Madison kids go to high school?
One of 4 high schools, depending on your address: West High, Vel Phillips Memorial High School, East High and LaFollette High.
What is Madison’s graduation rate?
86% of the class of 2023 in Madison Metropolitan School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Wisconsin.
How much does Madison spend per student?
$18,827 in Madison Metropolitan School District (FY2024), against $16,459 across Wisconsin. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Madison?
Yes: Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart (Catholic, grades 9–12, 618 students), Our Lady Queen of Peace School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 491 students), Abundant Life Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 412 students), Edgewood Campus School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 399 students), Lighthouse Christian School (religious, grades PK–8, 310 students), Blessed Sacrament School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 265 students), St. Dennis School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 257 students), High Point Christian School (religious, grades PK–8, 249 students), St. Ambrose Academy (Catholic, grades 6–12, 187 students), Madinah Academy of Madison (religious, grades PK–8, 183 students), Holy Cross Lutheran School (religious, grades K–8, 159 students), Our Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 158 students), Eastside Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 148 students), St. Maria Goretti Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 116 students), St. James School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 112 students), Wingra School (nonsectarian, grades K–8, 112 students), Woodland Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 98 students), Wings to Soar Online Academy (special education, grades 2–12, 81 students), Operation Fresh Start (nonsectarian, grades 12, 48 students), Richardson School (special education, grades , 31 students), Montessori Childrens House (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 26 students), Toad Hill Childrens House (nonsectarian, grades , 20 students), Preschool of the Arts (nonsectarian, grades K, 15 students), Horizon High (nonsectarian, grades 9–12, 14 students) and Acton Academy Madison West (nonsectarian, grades PK–4, 11 students). Madison also has 2 charter schools, free and open by application.
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 Wisconsin. Stars are from neighbors.