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2020 Best High Schools in the Madison AreaAbout this List

Explore the best high 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 53
Best Schools
53 results

  1. Madison Country Day School

    • Private School
    • Waunakee, WI
    • PK, K-12
    • 19 reviews
    #1 Best Private High Schools in Madison Area

    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 19 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 462 Students
    • 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  2. Middleton High School

    • Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District, WI
    • 9-12
    • 310 reviews
    #1 Best Public High Schools in Madison Area

    Senior: Middleton High School is a very good school, it is a very good environment. The biggest change there needs to be is having more African American teachers teach in the High School and more African American children. African American Children need someone that they can connect with someone that understands what they are going through because of their skin color. Being an African American child at Middleton High School some of those African American students feel like they don't fit in because the school is mostly an all White school,so having more teachers of color can really help the African African American students feel like they belong somewhere and not feel left out.
    Read 310 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 2,044 Students
    • 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  3. West High School

    • Madison Metropolitan School District, WI
    • 9-12
    • 292 reviews
    #2 Best Public High Schools in Madison Area

    Senior: West truly is the best! Their academic programs are very good and theirs is a lot of variety. The school is diverse which exposes students to many different cultures and opinions. That helps students find their true self while being open to all ideas, voices and cultures. Couldn’t think of a better place to get my high school education from.
    Read 292 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 2,169 Students
    • 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  4. Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart

    • Private School
    • Madison, WI
    • 9-12
    • 62 reviews
    #2 Best Private High Schools in Madison Area

    Junior: Edgewood high school is an amazing school if one wants to receive an amazing education. I’m an atheist and was dreading the required religion classes, but I now rather find them interesting as the religion classes offered focus on multiple religions and viewpoints of the world. I felt like I have close relationships with my teachers and could go to them for anything, academic or not. The kids, despite being a little preppy, are all very friendly and due to the medium size of the class you truly know everyone at Edgewood. Overall, the tight-knit community at Edgewood makes any student feel like they belong at Edgewood.
    Read 62 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 493 Students
    • 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  5. Memorial High School

    • Madison Metropolitan School District, WI
    • 9-12
    • 287 reviews
    #3 Best Public High Schools in Madison Area

    Alum: Memorial high shares most traits with other public high schools in urban areas; diverse student body and faculty, underfunded extra curricular activities and art departments, and overly generous to all things sports. However, Memorial strays from this archetype in a few remarkable ways. The culture at this school values inclusivity and respect. The sense of community and fidelity between students and staff is very strong. The mantra "we take care of our own" embodies this school. While music, theatre and the arts are stereotypically underfunded, the administration makes great effort to demonstrate support for all activities and productions hosted by these departments even if money lacks. Some of the best teachers I've ever had taught or teach at Madison Memorial. Educators here are dedicated and knowledgeable. Most engage heavily in extra curriculars outside of school and form lasting relationships with their students.
    Read 287 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,905 Students
    • 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  6. Waunakee High School

    • Waunakee Community School District, WI
    • 9-12
    • 195 reviews
    #4 Best Public High Schools in Madison Area

    Senior: Waunakee is full of caring teachers, and students, but there are some exceptions. Living in a wealthy community like waunakee there are some privileged kids who acted spoiled. Waunakee is also a huge sports community, which is great except for the lack of support for other no-athletic co-curricular. Last I would like to see counselors being more one on one with students, throughout the college process the counseling staff helped, but I wish We would have more one on one meeting in previous years about my future. Other than that Waunakee high school is a great learning environment, with an exceptional teaching staff. Waunakee is a high preforming school, and will continue to be so because of the hard work ethic the staff and most students possess.
    Read 195 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,248 Students
    • 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  9. Verona Area High School

    • Verona Area School District, WI
    • 9-12
    • 226 reviews
    #5 Best Public High Schools in Madison Area

    Senior: Verona Area High School is a diverse and understanding institution, striving to meet students where they are at no matter their background. Teachers often go out of their way to ensure that students succeed, with the amount of resources they provide astounding in nature. Furthermore, the student body strives to raise awareness about and accept minorities among it, doing so through various means such as the Multicultural Leadership Council and our annual Multicultural Showcase. This showcase not only celebrates racial and ethnic minorities but also the LGBTQ+ community among us, taking time to truly appreciate our differences and encourage cooperation among everyone. My time at this institution has been enriching, to say the least, and I look forward to viewing its future growth.
    Read 226 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,507 Students
    • 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  10. Sun Prairie High School

    • Sun Prairie Area School District, WI
    • 10-12
    • 511 reviews
    #6 Best Public High Schools in Madison Area

    Senior: Being able to live in Sun Prairie my whole life, I was able to have a wonderful experience at Sun Prairie High School. This high school is filled with amazing teachers that genuinely cares about helping their students and creating a comfortable atmosphere. The high school constantly tries to create a diverse school by having cultural events, and clubs. They acknowledge problems that students have and desperately try to fix them. Everyone in this school encourages students to head to college or the work force after high school. The school strives to help students become successful; everyone has a different view of becoming successful. Students are able to become successful by having an extra hour to get help, wonderful resources and helpful adults. Overall, Sun Prairie High School is a wonderful place to grow and become successful!
    Read 511 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,702 Students
    • 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  11. Monona Grove High School

    • Monona Grove School District, WI
    • 9-12
    • 127 reviews
    #7 Best Public High Schools in Madison Area

    Senior: I like the intimate setting of Monona Grove High School. The teachers really care about you and want to see you succeed in your future academic endeavors. There are more than enough ways to stay involved no matter what your interests are. The sports are very good, we have lots of extremely talented athletes. The school is predominantly white priveledge with a lot of wealthy caucasians which is occasionally inhibiting, but is an acknowledgable aspect nonetheless.
    Read 127 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 991 Students
    • 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  12. Mount Horeb High School

    • Mount Horeb Area School District, WI
    • 9-12
    • 112 reviews
    #8 Best Public High Schools in Madison Area

    Sophomore: Absolutely wonderful Art and Music programs! All of the teachers and staff are generally very kind and many go above and beyond to make you feel safe and welcome. It is typically very liberal but seeing as it is a rural town there are a few students who are very outspoken in their hate but there are multiple clubs and committees in place to help create safe spaces and battle hate as well as stigmas! If you want to go to an ivy league college this really isn't the place for you though, with an 4.0 grading scale the best they can get you is a decent out of state. You would never be able to achieve your Cornell dreams. The diversity is almost nonexistent and it's very odd being one of the few kids who isn't predominantly scandinavian or german.
    Read 112 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 747 Students
    • 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  13. Oregon High School

    • Oregon School District, WI
    • 9-12
    • 142 reviews
    #9 Best Public High Schools in Madison Area

    Junior: Like all high schools, Oregon High School isn't everyone's favorite. In the halls, shouts of 'I hate my life' or 'why do I have to be here?' can frequently be heard.
    But among these complainers, a small group of my friends and I have a different opinion. Although sometimes it may seem as if this is all there is, my high school has opened doors that once seemed utterly, ostensibly closed. And sure, it's not the greatest. Sure, it's not rich, or techno-savvy, or preppy. But it's filled with caring people, and when you have a loving context, everything stems from there.
    Read 142 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,122 Students
    • 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  14. McFarland High School

    • McFarland School District, WI
    • 9-12
    • 73 reviews
    #10 Best Public High Schools in Madison Area

    Senior: I like going to McFarland. My teachers genuinely care about my education and will go the distance to make sure I am learning what I am being taught. The school itself is a safe place where bullying doesn't seem very common along with the fact that fights are very rare. There are tons of extra curricular activities to give students a wide range of options to explore their interests.
    Read 73 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 676 Students
    • 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  15. St. Ambrose Academy

    • Private School
    • Madison, WI
    • 6-12
    • 7 reviews
    #3 Best Private High Schools in Madison Area

    Parent: The school is very impressive, very smart kids, teachers are very willing and able to help. you don't have to be catholic! if that is what you want there is a variety of religions and cultural backgrounds at SAA but all kids are very welcoming and accepting. The teachers are outstanding, if kids need help they can just pop in and ask their question, and the teachers are always willing to help if asked. St. Ambrose is challenging but doable for students!
    Read 7 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 88 Students
    • 9:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  16. Lodi High School

    • Lodi School District, WI
    • 9-12
    • 53 reviews
    #11 Best Public High Schools in Madison Area

    Senior: Lodi High School is a small public school in Lodi, Wisconsin. It's a great small community. The motto is "Lodi Pride". Lodi school district is very supportive and wants what's best for the students. Students always come first. At the end of a school year, upperclassmen make a Lodi pride video for the beginning of the next school year. That video is then shown to the new incoming freshman. It just helps the new students learn a little bit more about Lodi High School. I highly recommend the Lodi School District.
    Read 53 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 494 Students
    • 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  17. Cambridge High School

    • Cambridge School District, WI
    • 9-12
    • 38 reviews
    #12 Best Public High Schools in Madison Area

    Niche User: The best part about attending this school is it's small size, while not for everyone, it allowed me to participate in many different types of activities and groups allowing me to broaden my horizons and experience things that I maybe would not have been able to at a larger sized school.
    Read 38 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 253 Students
    • 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  18. Belleville High School

    • Belleville School District, WI
    • 9-12
    • 92 reviews
    #13 Best Public High Schools in Madison Area

    Senior: Belleville is very great. Every Teacher is there trying to make every students experience better. The only thing that I would change about Belleville school is that many of the teachers come and go very quickly that many do not stay for long. Having different teachers every year for the same year can be a little challenging and frustrating. Belleville schools are small with about seventy students each class. Even though the school is small the programs there are amazing. We have good sports and a very large music program. Some schools are starting to cut there programs for lack of spending money, but not belleville. This is a great school, small and tight knit watching over every student.
    Read 92 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 260 Students
    • 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  19. Lake Mills High School

    • Lake Mills Area School District, WI
    • 9-12
    • 29 reviews
    #14 Best Public High Schools in Madison Area

    Senior: It's a great place to go education-wise and sports-wise, other than that it is alright, not terrible but not great. Advanced students and struggling students who don't qualify for an IEP aren't allowed much flexibility when it comes to classes. It's a very sports-emphasized atmosphere.
    Read 29 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 402 Students
    • 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  22. East High School

    • Madison Metropolitan School District, WI
    • 9-12
    • 168 reviews
    #15 Best Public High Schools in Madison Area

    Senior: East High School is an excellent and diverse place. The students at East all come from very different ethnic, socio-economic, and cultural backgrounds, which is part of why the school is so great. There is a lot of school unity and spirit. For the most part, the teachers are very good, especially in the history and social studies departments. Students can select how rigorous they want their experience to be. Some sports are very strong while others are quite the opposite--athletics do not necessarily define high school for everyone. There is a major emphasis on social/political activism and the students are very engaged in the political climate. Most of all students and teachers are extremely liberal. The band and choir departments are very popular. The school has been renovating recently and the new theater is amazing.
    Read 168 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,609 Students
    • 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  23. Lakeside Lutheran High School

    • Private School
    • Lake Mills, WI
    • 9-12
    • 113 reviews
    #4 Best Private High Schools in Madison Area

    Senior: Lakeside is a great school with many great opportunities. Our athletics are extremely competitive and blessed with numerous wins. For example, our volleyball team has blessed with going to state back to back and actually winning last year. Not only are sports great, but we also have strong math teams and often win meets. Lakeside also offers a large variety of classes ranging from foods to AP Psychology, there are many classes to fit one's need. Most importantly, however, Lakeside offers God's Word which is why Lakeside is the best fit. Religion classes are taught daily and are an awesome experience to know that your friends believe the same thing that you do.
    Read 113 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 429 Students
    • 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  24. Wisconsin Heights High School

    • Wisconsin Heights School District, WI
    • 9-12
    • 44 reviews
    #16 Best Public High Schools in Madison Area

    Senior: Wisconsin Heights High School creates a close-knit learning environment designed to make sure every student succeeds. Although it is a small rural school, academics at Wisconsin Heights are top notch. Teachers are more than willing to go above and beyond to help students. Wisconsin Heights offers many clubs and extracurricular activities. They boast an art club, chess club, social justice club, positivity outreach club, film club, and many more. Students are also allowed and encouraged to create clubs of their own. Wisconsin Heights has a talented music and arts program. The community enjoys watching students perform at choir and band concerts along with musicals and plays. Many students have gone to collage and remarked how well Heights has prepared them for higher education. All teachers teach with college readiness in mind. Wisconsin Heights in an extremely safe school, because of its location.
    Read 44 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 229 Students
    • 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  25. DeForest High School

    • DeForest Area School District, WI
    • 9-12
    • 147 reviews
    #17 Best Public High Schools in Madison Area

    Junior: DeForest High School is overall a pretty nice school, although it does have some conflict between students. It's very obvious that despite that, many teachers and other faculty members try their best to make sure that their material in class is comprehensible, helpful, and useful in some way. It's a smaller school compared to other schools around the Madison area, but it isn't so small that it's noticeable. One of the downsides is that there isn't much diversity at DeForest High School, which starts to become noticeable after awhile.
    Read 147 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,033 Students
    • 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  26. Sauk Prairie High School

    • Sauk Prairie School District, WI
    • 9-12
    • 62 reviews
    #18 Best Public High Schools in Madison Area

    Alum: I loved the teachers and the smaller amount of students per graduating class. Having a smaller number of students per graduating class made it easy to really get to know all of my classmates and create forever friends. Although my personal experience here was fantastic, I know some students don't share that same opinion. I do wish to see even more teacher involvement than there already was.
    Read 62 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 839 Students
    • 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  27. Stoughton High School

    • Stoughton Area School District, WI
    • 9-12
    • 129 reviews
    #19 Best Public High Schools in Madison Area

    Alum: I came into Stoughton High School as a sophomore from another state and my previous high school proved to be far inferior in comparison with Stoughton High School in my experience. Many of the teachers and any other staff I encountered were kind and willing to help us with anything within their capabilities. Many of the teachers I had actively engaged with students during the class period rather than simply lecturing at us. Many were also open to suggestions from students regarding class work and the structure of the class period. Overall, I had a pleasant experience at Stoughton High School.
    Read 129 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,010 Students
    • 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  28. Abundant Life Christian School

    • Private School
    • Madison, WI
    • K-12
    • 12 reviews
    #5 Best Private High Schools in Madison Area

    Alum: The faculty and staff at ALCS were and remain like a family to me. The teachers do their best to give individual time and attention to each student, and the education I received there was priceless.
    Read 12 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 225 Students
    • 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  29. Portage High School

    • Portage Community School District, WI
    • 9-12
    • 42 reviews
    #20 Best Public High Schools in Madison Area

    Senior: Portage High School is a good high school considering the size of the town it is in. The only thing I think needs improvement is the clock/ bell system. For two and a half years, the digital clocks throughout the building and sometimes the bell system that goes with it have not worked. This is frustrating as a student. The gym was recently redone with the walls being painted and the floor being replaced, but there are still no working clocks in the classroom! That’s ridiculous.
    Read 42 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 803 Students
    • 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  30. Sponsored

    Riverview School

    • Private School
    • East Sandwich, MA
    • 6-12
    • 97 Students
    • 2:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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    Central Catholic High School

    • Private School
    • Lawrence, MA
    • 9-12
    • 285 reviews

    Junior: As I transfer student, I cannot say enough great things about Central. The students and faculty have been nothing but helpful in helping ,e to adjust to my new surroundings. From ensuring my success academically, athletically, and spiritually Central has truly been an amazing experience thus far. The teachers take their jobs incredibly seriously and strive to push students to be the best that they can be. Central is not just a school, it's a family. From sporting events to retreats, Central provides various opportunities for the student body to connect with each other and be involved. I'm very proud to be a raider!
    Read 285 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,200 Students
    • 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  36. Sponsored

    The Newman School

    • Private School
    • Boston, MA
    • 7-12
    • 49 reviews

    Parent: The Newman School is a hidden gem in the heart of Boston in a very safe area. The extra 1:1 attention teachers provide to student learning is exceptional and the exposure to other students from around the world and the greater Boston area has been an invaluable experience. Given its small size, the environment fosters close friendships and an intimate school setting where children can thrive and be themselves. I would strongly recommend this school in heart beat!
    Read 49 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 260 Students
    • 6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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