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Best Public Schools in Madison, WI (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Madison Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 64 public schools serving 28,426 students in Madison, WI (there are 42 private schools, serving 6,480 private students). 82% of all K-12 students in Madison, WI are educated in public schools (compared to the WI state average of 85%).
The top-ranked public schools in Madison, WI are Shorewood Hills Elementary School, Van Hise Elementary School and Randall Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Madison, WI public schools have an average math proficiency score of 35% (versus the Wisconsin public school average of 40%), and reading proficiency score of 39% (versus the 39% statewide average). Schools in Madison have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Wisconsin public schools.
Minority enrollment is 58% 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 Madison, WI (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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #9 - 109. - 10.
Crestwood Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
5930 Old Sauk Rd
Madison, WI 53705
(608) 204-1120
Gr: PK-5 | 293 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Stephens Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
120 S Rosa Rd
Madison, WI 53705
(608) 204-1900
Gr: PK-5 | 447 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #1111.
Spring Harbor Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1110 Spring Harbor Dr
Madison, WI 53705
(608) 204-1100
Gr: 6-8 | 269 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #1212.
West High School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
30 Ash St
Madison, WI 53726
(608) 204-4100
Gr: 9-12 | 2,222 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #1313.
Lowell Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
401 Maple Ave
Madison, WI 53704
(608) 204-6600
Gr: PK-5 | 329 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Elvehjem Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
5106 Academy Dr
Madison, WI 53716
(608) 204-1400
Gr: PK-5 | 415 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Thoreau Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3870 Nakoma Rd
Madison, WI 53711
(608) 204-6940
Gr: PK-5 | 403 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #1616.
Innovative High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1045 E Dayton St
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 204-4220
Gr: 9-12 | 138 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #1717.
Metro School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
115 W Doty St, 7e
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 663-1634
Gr: 4-12 | 12 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #1818.
Cesar Chavez Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
3502 Maple Grove Dr
Madison, WI 53719
(608) 442-2000
Gr: PK-5 | 631 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #1919.
Muir Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
6602 Inner Dr
Madison, WI 53705
(608) 663-8170
Gr: PK-5 | 377 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #2020.
Emerson Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
2421 E Johnson St
Madison, WI 53704
(608) 204-2000
Gr: PK-5 | 297 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #2121.
O'keeffe Middle School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
510 S Thornton Ave
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 204-6820
Gr: 6-8 | 434 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #2222.
Huegel Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
2601 Prairie Rd
Madison, WI 53711
(608) 204-3100
Gr: PK-5 | 417 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #2323.
Vel Phillips Memorial High School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
201 S Gammon Rd
Madison, WI 53717
(608) 663-5990
Gr: 9-12 | 2,004 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #2424.
Monona Grove High School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
4400 Monona Dr
Madison, WI 53716
(608) 221-7666
Gr: 9-12 | 1,170 student Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #2525.
Isthmus Montessori Academy Public
Charter School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1802 Pankratz St
Madison, WI 53704
(608) 661-8200
Gr: PK-12 | 210 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #2626.
Cherokee Heights Middle School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
4301 Cherokee Dr
Madison, WI 53711
(608) 204-1240
Gr: 6-8 | 526 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #2727.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
909 Sequoia Trl
Madison, WI 53713
(608) 204-4900
Gr: PK-5 | 393 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #2828.
Savanna Oaks Middle School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
5890 Lacy Rd
Madison, WI 53711
(608) 845-4010
Gr: 6-8 | 360 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #2929.
Toki Middle School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
5606 Russett Rd
Madison, WI 53711
(608) 204-4740
Gr: 6-8 | 487 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #30 - 3130. - 31.
Gompers Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1502 Wyoming Way
Madison, WI 53704
(608) 204-4520
Gr: PK-5 | 217 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #30 - 3130. - 31.
Orchard Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
5602 Russett Rd
Madison, WI 53711
(608) 204-2320
Gr: PK-5 | 265 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #3232.
Milele Chikasa Anana Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
6323 Woodington Way
Madison, WI 53711
(608) 204-2180
Gr: PK-5 | 455 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #3333.
Nuestro Mundo
Charter School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
902 Nichols Rd
Madison, WI 53716
(608) 204-1076
Gr: PK-5 | 311 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #3434.
Ezekiel Gillespie Middle School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
101 S Gammon Rd
Madison, WI 53717
(608) 663-6403
Gr: 6-8 | 462 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #3535.
Kennedy Elementary School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
221 Meadowlark Dr
Madison, WI 53714
(608) 204-3420
Gr: PK-5 | 582 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 70%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Madison, WI?
The top-ranked public schools in Madison, WI include Shorewood Hills Elementary School, Van Hise Elementary School and Randall Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Madison?
64 public schools are located in Madison.
What percentage of students in Madison go to public school?
82% of all K-12 students in Madison are educated in public schools (compared to the WI state average of 85%).
What is the racial composition of students in Madison?
Madison public schools minority enrollment is 58% 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 Madison are often viewed compared to one another?

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