Skip to Main Content

2019 Best Elementary Schools in the Madison AreaAbout this List

Explore the best elementary schools in your area based on rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents using data from the U.S. Department of Education. Read more on how this ranking was calculated.

1 – 25 of 160
Best Schools
160 results

  1. Madison Country Day School

    • Private School
    • Waunakee, WI
    • PK, K-12
    • 17

    Parent: Our child, now in high school, has been at MCDS since Lower School and our overall experience has been strongly positive. The school has grown steadily over the past decade and yet no child falls between the cracks. The low faculty-to-student ratio is key to student success. Faculty are very dedicated to the students and communicate well with parents. The curriculum is challenging, but not excessively so. The range of students' abilities across subjects is broad, yet the common denominator is that all are aiming to do the best they can and succeed in college, be that at a large university or a small liberal arts college. The school also values character education, and the arts are not considered peripheral, but an essential part of the curriculum. The relative lack of racial diversity is offset by social and ethnic diversity, including an international outlook among many families.
    Read 17 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 462 Students
    • 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  2. Arboretum Elementary School

    • Waunakee Community School District, WI
    • PK, K-4
    #1 Best Public Elementary Schools in Madison Area
    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 462 Students
    • 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  3. Sunset Ridge Elementary School

    • Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District, WI
    • PK, K-4
    #2 Best Public Elementary Schools in Madison Area
    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 467 Students
    • 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes
  4. Sponsored

    BASIS Independent McLean

    • Private School
    • McLean, VA
    • PK, K-12
    • 15

    Parent: Our son is currently in the 2nd grade. He has been at the school for two years, and it has been a wonderful experience. The enthusiasm of the teachers, who are truly experts in the subjects they teach, is infectious. They consistently set high standards for all students at every stage of their academic career. This is a school that prioritizes academics and the students themselves; it is targeted to students with intellectual curiosity and a strong work ethic. We are very happy here!
    Read 15 Reviews

    • NG
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 375 Students
    • 6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  5. Elm Lawn Elementary School

    • Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District, WI
    • PK, K-4
    #3 Best Public Elementary Schools in Madison Area
    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 468 Students
    • 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  6. Northside Elementary School

    • Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District, WI
    • PK, K-4
    #4 Best Public Elementary Schools in Madison Area
    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 427 Students
    • 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  7. Waunakee Prairie Elementary School

    • Waunakee Community School District, WI
    • PK, K-4
    #5 Best Public Elementary Schools in Madison Area
    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 572 Students
    • 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  10. West Middleton Elementary School

    • Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District, WI
    • PK, K-4
    #6 Best Public Elementary Schools in Madison Area
    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 462 Students
    • 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  11. Sauk Trail Elementary School

    • Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District, WI
    • PK, K-4
    • 1
    #7 Best Public Elementary Schools in Madison Area

    Parent: I have had the pleasure of sending 4 kids through this school. I can honestly say that I am thrilled that they started their academic experience here. The teachers at top rate. The administrative is caring yet firm.
    Read 1 Review

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 368 Students
    • 10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  12. Shorewood Hills Elementary School

    • Madison Metropolitan School District, WI
    • PK, K-5
    #8 Best Public Elementary Schools in Madison Area
    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 472 Students
    • 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  14. Van Hise Elementary School

    • Madison Metropolitan School District, WI
    • PK, K-5
    • 1
    #9 Best Public Elementary Schools in Madison Area

    Senior: Van Hise Elementary is a very prestigious school. The teachers there are very nice and helpful. The class size is just right to have a closer connection between teachers and students. There are many activities offered after school ranging anywhere from arts to sports to academics. The school provides a safe environment for learning.
    Read 1 Review

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 393 Students
    • 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  15. Winnequah School

    • Monona Grove School District, WI
    • PK, K-5
    #10 Best Public Elementary Schools in Madison Area
    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 559 Students
    • 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  16. Park Elementary School

    • Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District, WI
    • PK, K-4
    #11 Best Public Elementary Schools in Madison Area
    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 286 Students
    • 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes
  18. How Will You Pay for School? 

  19. Netherwood Knoll Elementary School

    • Oregon School District, WI
    • PK, K-4
    #12 Best Public Elementary Schools in Madison Area
    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 540 Students
    • 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  20. Horizon Elementary School

    • Sun Prairie Area School District, WI
    • PK, K-4
    #13 Best Public Elementary Schools in Madison Area
    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 492 Students
    • 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  21. Cambridge Elementary School

    • Cambridge School District, WI
    • PK, K-5
    #14 Best Public Elementary Schools in Madison Area
    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 418 Students
    • 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  22. Waunakee Heritage Elementary School

    • Waunakee Community School District, WI
    • PK, K-4
    #15 Best Public Elementary Schools in Madison Area
    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 377 Students
    • 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  23. Verona Area International School

    • Verona Area School District, WI
    • K-5
    #16 Best Public Elementary Schools in Madison Area
    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 93 Students
    • 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  26. Royal Oaks Elementary School

    • Sun Prairie Area School District, WI
    • PK, K-5
    • 2
    #17 Best Public Elementary Schools in Madison Area

    Niche User: I Go Here. Teachers Are Awesome A+. Excellent Education A+. Diversity A+ It's A Great School A+. District A+. Nice Principal A+. Safe Community A+. G
    Love It.
    Read 2 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 511 Students
    • 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  27. Cottage Grove Elementary School

    • Monona Grove School District, WI
    • 2-4
    #18 Best Public Elementary Schools in Madison Area
    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 457 Students
    • 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  28. Randall Elementary School

    • Madison Metropolitan School District, WI
    • 3-5
    • 1
    #19 Best Public Elementary Schools in Madison Area

    High School Sophomore: I was there for two years and Mrs. Spiegel was great but Ms. Vyas wasn't. Thye gave me lots of opportunities to excell, for instance we did NaNoWriMo and other excelled math groups etc.
    Read 1 Review

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 380 Students
    • 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  29. Mount Horeb Intermediate School

    • Mount Horeb Area School District, WI
    • 3-5
    #20 Best Public Elementary Schools in Madison Area
    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 571 Students
    • 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  30. Prairie View Elementary School

    • Oregon School District, WI
    • PK, K-4
    #21 Best Public Elementary Schools in Madison Area
    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 472 Students
    • 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes
  31. Review Your School 

  32. New Glarus Elementary School

    • New Glarus School District, WI
    • PK, K-4
    #22 Best Public Elementary Schools in Madison Area
    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 412 Students
    • 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  33. Brooklyn Elementary School

    • Oregon School District, WI
    • PK, K-4
    #23 Best Public Elementary Schools in Madison Area
    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 481 Students
    • 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  34. Waubesa Intermediate School

    • McFarland School District, WI
    • 3-5
    #24 Best Public Elementary Schools in Madison Area
    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 538 Students
    • 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes
  35. Sponsored

    Veritas Collegiate Academy

    • Private School
    • Chesapeake, VA
    • K-12
    • 97

    Parent: My young kids love this school. They have made really sweet friends and they are learning a ton! We really like the classical approach because it emphasizes mastering traditional knowledge such as history, geography, scripture, grammar, phonics, art, science, math, and music. The memory period is very effective for teaching memorized material through song, and there are many fun special holidays, events, and field trips, as well as swim team/swim lessons and school play!

    The middle and high school are also amazing! The humanities/omnibus courses are really unique in combining classic literature with history, religion, politics, and philosophy--so it's all combined in a way that connects and make sense. Students read the primary texts from that time period rather than just reading a vague summary in a typical textbook. A great preparation for college and a great way to gain wisdom for life!
    Read 97 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 259 Students
    • 10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes
  36. Sponsored

    Woodberry Forest School

    • Private School
    • Woodberry Forest, VA
    • 9-12
    • 32

    Niche User: I do not have a child at Woodberry, but our school’s squash team has played theirs on several occasions. Each time, whether home or visiting, I am incredibly impressed with how gracious, well-mannnered, and polite their players are. Winning or losing, they have a kind word for their teammates and opponents, and even parents. They carry themselves maturely and respectfully. I can’t speak for the academics, but whatever they are doing to build these boys’ character, well done!
    Read 32 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 399 Students
    • 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes
  • 1 of 7