2024 Best Schools in the Madison Area

• Waunakee, WI•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.23 out of 5  44 reviews

Senior: I am a senior at MCDS, and ever since I came in my sophomore year I've felt like I've found a home. The high school teachers are exceptional; all of my teachers have been creative and super supportive. I feel like all of my teachers really know me (which is a huge perk of MCDS's small size), and whenever I've struggled in a class their doors have always been open. To me, the community is a family because everyone is incredibly nice and caring, and the learning environment that MCDS fosters is extremely collaborative. My experience with the International Baccalaureate program has been engaging--I really love the curriculum's focus on open-ended learning, and I feel like I'm being taught very valuable skills for college and life. The academics can be very rigorous, which I love, and there are almost too many extracurricular options for the small size of our school! Overall, I have had a wonderful experience here and will be sad to graduate!... Read 44 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 451

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District, WI•

• PK, K-4

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: We moved to Middleton for the school district and have no regrets! Pope Farm Elementary School has given my neurodivergent child an opportunity to thrive and grow in an all-inclusive environment. Our child is challenged in all the very best ways. The staff is constantly looking for areas of improvement (because great is never good enough), communication is transparent and the children here all seem really happy. One thing worth noting is that this particular school applies a great deal of energy to teaching children lifelong social emotional skills. Because of this, our child's math and reading scores have improved greatly as well as her confidence level! They say it takes a village to raise a child... we believe that to be true, and we are so grateful to have MCPASD and the Pope Farm staff as our village!... Read 2 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 429

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Madison, WI•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  84 reviews

Parent: As a parent of an Edgewood graduate and current student, I can say without reservation that the education they have received and that the community of which we are a part is top notch. Both of my children have benefited from exposure to classmates from different backgrounds and ideas. When our family experienced a tragic loss, the community embraced and supported us as we navigated through it. We've been lucky enough to be the recipients of generous financial aid, and I would encourage families who don't think they can afford tuition to look into this possibility. (And in no way did this financial reality mean that my students ever felt excluded or different.) The commitment to educating each whole person - body, mind and soul - makes Edgewood the perfect choice for a quality, value-centered education.... Read 84 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 620

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District, WI•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  360 reviews

Senior: Middleton High School is an excellent institution that has a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. The school has a diverse student body that represents various backgrounds. The staff at Middleton High School promotes a culture of respect, inclusion, and acceptance, which fosters a positive and supportive learning environment for all students. Middleton High School also has a strong sports program, especially in track, cross-country and football. The preforming arts department is also very good, and there are concerts and plays throughout the year. Overall, I would recommend this school to anyone seeking a multidisciplinary education and supportive community.... Read 360 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,271

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Madison Metropolitan School District, WI•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  309 reviews

Senior: My freshman year of High School, I actually attended online at Monona Grove High School in Madison, Wisconsin. Sophomore year I attended Memorial in person and the experience here is amazing. Meeting new friends, losing some, and learning from them, and moving on. The high school experience is not all cupcakes and rainbows but truly, I do believe you become the person you want to be just by doing your best and by surrounding yourself with those who support and who really care for you are the people who will last years with you. The most people I depend on are my own family, especially my parents, who have always taught me to do my best no matter what. Arriving my senior year, is the time it all comes to mind and I started to really take it in after my 1st week. This is it. This is the last time I will be leaving my mark here with my favorite teachers, all the emotions, crying, smiling, laughing, communicating with others, overall just expressing my true self in my work & who I am.... Read 309 reviews

• grade A

• Students 2,078

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District, WI•

• 5-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  9 reviews

Parent: Highly quality staff & administration. I feel blessed to have my 5th and 8th grader attend here. My kids look forward to going to school almost every day. Academically they push their boundaries to learn.... Read 9 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,202

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Madison Metropolitan School District, WI•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  327 reviews

Junior: Overall, I enjoy attending Madison West Highschool because of the quality of people (students and workers) and the quality of service it provides. In my opinion, the best part about my school is that it promotes a safe atmosphere among the attendees of the school by fostering monthly discussions about social problems within and outside of the school. However, I have a few hygiene concerns about my school the worst one being our dirty and constantly vandalized bathrooms. I really would like to see a change in the ladder area because the problem causes many students including myself to avoid going to the bathroom which can be risky or unhealthy.... Read 327 reviews

• grade A

• Students 2,175

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District, WI•

• PK, K-4

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Alum: The years I spent At Sunset Ridge were some highlights of my childhood. The school made every student feel connected and the experience students get here are just out of this world.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A

• Students 298

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District, WI•

• PK, K-4

• grade A

• Students 338

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Waunakee Community School District, WI•

• 5-6

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: The building, community, atmosphere, staff, Administration, etc. are all TOP-NOTCH at Waunakee Intermediate. The teachers are highly engaged and support each child in all of that they do. The school building sits on the edge of town, and easy to access and allows plenty of natural light. The model of the school with the villages and flexible areas and seating for students best suits how children learn. This school is one of the best! We are thankful for the teachers and staff that make the experience at school so wonderful for our children.... Read 1 review

• grade A

• Students 642

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Waunakee Community School District, WI•

• 7-8

• •
  Rating 3.67 out of 5  3 reviews

Parent: We have been very impressed with the staff at the middle school. We have had 3 children attend the middle school, and all our children have been supported, motivated, and thrived at the middle school. We attention that the teachers and support staff, as well as Administration, has given individually to our students is appreciated and noted. There are plenty of choices of co-curricular (athletics and non-athletics) for the students to choose from. We would highly recommend the Waunakee Community School District.... Read 3 reviews

• grade A

• Students 653

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District, WI•

• 5-8

• •
  Rating 3.6 out of 5  5 reviews

Alum: Glacier Creek may not be as fancy as the other middle school in the district, Kromrey, but I would not have chosen to go there over my experience at Glacier. The behavioral issues at Glacier may be more present than those at Kromrey, but it prepares students for the real world and doesn't put them in a bubble. The diversity is much better here than at Kromrey and students are less entitled. Middle school is typically a dreadful experience, but the amazing teachers at Glacier made me actually enjoy my time there. The teachers genuinely care about their students and try their hardest to make class fun. The school doesn't have very many clubs or sports, but I feel like that isn't overly important in middle school. I would say that academically, it didn't prepare me for high school as well as it could have, but other than that I would recommend this middle school.... Read 5 reviews

• grade A

• Students 938

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Waunakee Community School District, WI•

• PK, K-4

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: We feel fortunate to have our children attend Arboretum Elementary. The staff, teachers, Administration, etc. are all amazing and dedicated professionals who are there to support the students, families, and the school community. We highly recommend Arboretum Elementary! It is definitely one of the top schools in the state of Wisconsin!... Read 1 review

• grade A

• Students 434

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Waunakee Community School District, WI•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.02 out of 5  229 reviews

Parent: The selection, variety, and availability of the courses and options at Waunakee Community High School is endless and we have been very impressed with the options for our children. We currently have 2 children that attend the high school. They are supported, seen, and thriving thanks to the teachers, support staff, and Administration. We would highly recommend the school district. We are very happy with the education that our children are receiving and Waunakee is a wonderful place to live.... Read 229 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,352

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Verona Area School District, WI•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  6 reviews

Parent: My son is a 4th grader at VAIS and often comes home from school saying his day was "awesome!" We chose VAIS for the Mandarin Immersion program but we also love the small school size, outstanding staff and friendly community. The teachers differentiate instruction to meet the needs of each students. VAIS is an amazing school!... Read 6 reviews

• grade A

• Students 120

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Madison Metropolitan School District, WI•

• PK, K-5

• grade A

• Students 349

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Sun Prairie Area School District, WI•

• 10-12

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  581 reviews

Senior: In general, an incredibly positive environment and one I doubt I'd trade for anything. The school shines with its teachers and students. The bond between them is incredibly strong and vital to the life blood of any school. Even when there is a lack of energy or excitement in the environment, the value and kindheartedness of these formative interactions are palpable. Any changes I desire are broad, which is both a positive and negative. Better fostering of an interstudent community, better representation for our students in the structures and rules, etc.... Read 581 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,779

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District, WI•

• PK, K-4

• grade A

• Students 371

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Verona Area School District, WI•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.72 out of 5  257 reviews

Alum: I rate VAHS as four stars out of five because I do believe that this high school is a school that offers pristine education and has a balance of fun as well. Firstly, the academics are amazing. There's a variety of courses and they continue to tweak the curriculum as the world is constantly changing. I took this semester long elective called, "Gender in Literature." It was a new course and debuted in Fall 2020. In the class, we learned about LGBTQ+ people in literature and learned about the importance of having a variety of authors. High school is the time that students try to find themselves and understand their identity, so I'm glad that Verona is able to adapt and accommodate to their students. Something I believe the school could work on is communication from staff to the student body. Having a lack of communication leaves students confused on who to go to for help and we've had incidents where student found out about why the school was in a lockdown during the end of the day.... Read 257 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,737

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Madison Metropolitan School District, WI•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 2.33 out of 5  3 reviews

• grade A

• Students 688

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Waunakee Community School District, WI•

• PK, K-4

• grade A

• Students 512

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Madison Metropolitan School District, WI•

• 3-5

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  1 review

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

• grade A

• Students 336

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Madison Metropolitan School District, WI•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

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

• grade A

• Students 407

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Waunakee Community School District, WI•

• PK, K-4

• grade A minus

• Students 525

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Verona Area School District, WI•

• K-5

• grade A minus

• Students 124

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1