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Best Public Schools in Dane County (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Dane County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 168 public schools serving 79,437 students in Dane County, WI (there are 61 private schools, serving 8,110 private students). 91% of all K-12 students in Dane County, WI are educated in public schools (compared to the WI state average of 85%).
The top-ranked public schools in Dane County, WI are Shorewood Hills Elementary School, Van Hise Elementary School and Elm Lawn Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Dane County, WI public schools have an average math proficiency score of 43% (versus the Wisconsin public school average of 40%), and reading proficiency score of 43% (versus the 39% statewide average). Schools in Dane County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of Wisconsin public schools.
Minority enrollment is 39% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Wisconsin public school average of 34% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Dane County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Shorewood Hills Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
1105 Shorewood Blvd
Madison, WI 53705
(608) 204-1200
Gr: PK-5 | 368 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #22.
Van Hise Elementary School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
4747 Waukesha St
Madison, WI 53705
(608) 204-4800
Gr: K-5 | 396 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Elm Lawn Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
6701 Woodgate Rd
Middleton, WI 53562
(608) 829-9070
Gr: PK-4 | 313 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Northside Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
3620 High Rd
Middleton, WI 53562
(608) 829-9130
Gr: PK-4 | 307 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #55.
Randall Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1802 Regent St
Madison, WI 53726
(608) 204-3300
Gr: 3-5 | 320 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #6 - 86. - 8.
New Century School
Charter School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
400 N Main Street
Verona, WI 53593
(608) 845-4900
Gr: K-5 | 122 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #6 - 86. - 8.
Pope Farm Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
816 Schewe Rd
Middleton, WI 53562
(608) 826-7700
Gr: PK-4 | 448 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #6 - 86. - 8.
Sunset Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
8686 Airport Rd
Middleton, WI 53562
(608) 829-9300
Gr: PK-4 | 309 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Hamilton Middle School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
4801 Waukesha St
Madison, WI 53705
(608) 204-4620
Gr: 6-8 | 790 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Verona Area International School
Charter School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
400 N Main Street
Verona, WI 53593
(608) 845-4200
Gr: K-5 | 113 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Arboretum Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1350 Arboretum Dr
Waunakee, WI 53597
(608) 849-1800
Gr: PK-4 | 435 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Prairie View Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
300 Soden Dr
Oregon, WI 53575
(608) 835-4200
Gr: PK-4 | 330 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1313.
Waunakee Intermediate
(Math: 69% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
6273 Woodland Dr
Waunakee, WI 53597
(608) 849-2176
Gr: 5-6 | 661 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #1414.
West Middleton Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
7627 W Mineral Point Rd
Verona, WI 53593
(608) 829-9360
Gr: PK-4 | 334 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #1515.
Marquette Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1501 Jenifer St
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 204-3220
Gr: 3-5 | 169 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #1616.
Winnequah School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
800 Greenway Rd
Madison, WI 53716
(608) 221-7677
Gr: PK-5 | 602 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #1717.
Eastside Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
661 Elizabeth Ln
Sun Prairie, WI 53590
(608) 834-7400
Gr: PK-5 | 408 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #1818.
Horizon Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
625 N Heatherstone Dr
Sun Prairie, WI 53590
(608) 834-7900
Gr: PK-5 | 345 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #1919.
Kromrey Middle School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
7009 Donna Dr
Middleton, WI 53562
(608) 829-9530
Gr: 5-8 | 1,230 student Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #2020.
Waunakee Prairie Elementary School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
700 N Madison St
Waunakee, WI 53597
(608) 849-2200
Gr: K-4 | 531 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #2121.
Token Springs Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1435 N Thompson Rd
Sun Prairie, WI 53590
(608) 834-6500
Gr: PK-5 | 472 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #22 - 2322. - 23.
Country View Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
710 Lone Pine Way
Verona, WI 53593
(608) 845-4800
Gr: K-5 | 382 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #22 - 2322. - 23.
Windsor Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4352 Windsor Rd
Windsor, WI 53598
(608) 842-6300
Gr: K-3 | 526 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #2424.
Netherwood Knoll Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
276 Soden Dr
Oregon, WI 53575
(608) 835-4100
Gr: PK-4 | 419 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #2525.
Park Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1209 Park St
Cross Plains, WI 53528
(608) 829-9250
Gr: PK-4 | 245 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #2626.
Glacier Creek Middle School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2800 Military Road
Cross Plains, WI 53528
(608) 829-9420
Gr: 5-8 | 924 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #2727.
Eagle Point Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
206 N Johnson St
Deforest, WI 53532
(608) 842-6200
Gr: K-3 | 389 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #2828.
Rome Corners Intermediate
(Math: 57% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1111 S Perry Pkwy
Oregon, WI 53575
(608) 835-4700
Gr: 5-6 | 463 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #2929.
Royal Oaks Elementary School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2215 Pennsylvania Ave
Sun Prairie, WI 53590
(608) 834-7200
Gr: PK-5 | 433 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #3030.
Forest Edge Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4848 Brassica Rd
Madison, WI 53711
(608) 835-4600
Gr: PK-6 | 446 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #3131.
Waunakee Heritage Elementary School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
6271 Woodland Drive
Waunakee, WI 53597
(608) 849-2030
Gr: PK-4 | 537 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #32 - 3332. - 33.
Olson Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
801 Redan Dr
Verona, WI 53593
(608) 442-2600
Gr: PK-5 | 462 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #32 - 3332. - 33.
Stoner Prairie Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
5830 Devoro Rd
Madison, WI 53711
(608) 845-4200
Gr: K-5 | 407 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #3434.
Belleville Elementary School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
101 S Grant St
Belleville, WI 53508
(608) 835-6120
Gr: PK-6 | 550 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #3535.
Mount Horeb Intermediate
(Math: 64% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
200 Hanneman St
Mount Horeb, WI 53572
(608) 437-7406
Gr: 3-5 | 508 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 12%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Dane County, WI?
The top-ranked public schools in Dane County, WI include Shorewood Hills Elementary School, Van Hise Elementary School and Elm Lawn Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Dane County?
171 public schools are located in Dane County.
What percentage of students in Dane County go to public school?
91% of all K-12 students in Dane County are educated in public schools (compared to the WI state average of 85%).
What is the racial composition of students in Dane County?
Dane County public schools minority enrollment is 39% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Wisconsin public schools average of 34% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Dane County are often viewed compared to one another?

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