2019 Best Schools with Gifted and Talented Programs in the Madison AreaAbout this List

West High School

• Madison Metropolitan School District, WI
• 9-12
• 288

Senior: West High School is definitely the best school in the Madison school district! I'm going to be a senior this upcoming school year and I've had overwhelmingly positive experiences. Most of the teachers are highly qualified and really do care about your education and experience, although I have had a few teachers that definitely have no place teaching high school kids. There are TONS of electives to choose from as well. West has All Nations Day which celebrates diversity, Fine Arts Week (the best week of the year) where students can perform dance, music, theater, and art class projects are displayed in the gallery and around the school. West is a pretty artsy school so the art, music, and theater classes are at a very high level. But, with the increasing number of students attending, some classes don't even have enough desks for all the students.
Overall, my three years at West so far have been really great and I would highly recommend this school to anyone!
Read 288 Reviews

• A+

• 2,169 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Memorial High School

• Madison Metropolitan School District, WI
• 9-12
• 280

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 280 Reviews

• A+

• 1,905 Students
• 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Waunakee High School

• Waunakee Community School District, WI
• 9-12
• 182

Senior: Waunakee High School is a very good high school. There are a lot of opportunities to get involved in many different areas of interests. Many students succeed here and there are a lot of resources to help all the students do their best and get ready for life past high school. Waunakee High School puts a large focus on GPA and grades. There is a lot of pressure to have the best AP exam scores and ACT scores in the state/country. It is good that they believe in us and want us to be the best, but it is hard when you don't score as well and you feel that you let the staff down. Overall, my experience and Waunakee High School is very good. I have friends and staff I feel comfortable around, they help me and classmates succeed, and they help us get involved.
Read 182 Reviews

• A+

• 1,248 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Sun Prairie High School

• Sun Prairie Area School District, WI
• 10-12
• 498

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 498 Reviews

• A+

• 1,702 Students
• 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Arboretum Elementary School

• Waunakee Community School District, WI
• PK, K-4

• A

• 462 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Sunset Ridge Elementary School

• Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District, WI
• PK, K-4

• A

• 467 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Waunakee Intermediate School

• Waunakee Community School District, WI
• 5-6

• A

• 619 Students
• 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Elm Lawn Elementary School

• Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District, WI
• PK, K-4

• A

• 468 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Kromrey Middle School

• Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District, WI
• 5-8
• 9

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

• A

• 1,139 Students
• 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Verona Area High School

• Verona Area School District, WI
• 9-12
• 216

Junior: I love this school! This is gonna be my second year in it and so far everything is going very well. The staff and administrators are very helpful and kind. The teachers always put their students first and answer all questions. If you ask for extra help before or after school from teachers, they’ll be more than happy to help. There are many clubs about giving back to our community, accepting each other, and other fun clubs.
Read 216 Reviews

• A

• 1,507 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Northside Elementary School

• Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District, WI
• PK, K-4

• A

• 427 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Waunakee Prairie Elementary School

• Waunakee Community School District, WI
• PK, K-4

• A

• 572 Students
• 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Glacier Creek Middle School

• Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District, WI
• 5-8
• 3

Parent: Glacier Creek is a wonderful school. My two kids have enjoyed there experiences in and outside the classroom. They have wonderful opportunities for students to grow intellectually and socially through the many programs like PBIS student team, WEB program, other clubs like forensics, yearbook, homework, foreign language, and art club along with some athletics (instrumental volleyball, cross country, wrestling, and track). Staff is dedicated and hard working and strive to help all students succeed.
Read 3 Reviews

• A

• 996 Students
• 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Waunakee Middle School

• Waunakee Community School District, WI
• 7-8
• 1

• A

• 654 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

West Middleton Elementary School

• Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District, WI
• PK, K-4

• A

• 462 Students
• 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Sauk Trail Elementary School

• Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District, WI
• PK, K-4
• 1

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

• 368 Students
• 10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Shorewood Hills Elementary School

• Madison Metropolitan School District, WI
• PK, K-5

• A

• 472 Students
• 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Van Hise Elementary School

• Madison Metropolitan School District, WI
• PK, K-5
• 1

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

• 393 Students
• 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Winnequah School

• Monona Grove School District, WI
• PK, K-5

• A

• 559 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Park Elementary School

• Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District, WI
• PK, K-4

• A

• 286 Students
• 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Hamilton Middle School

• Madison Metropolitan School District, WI
• 6-8
• 1

• A

• 826 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Netherwood Knoll Elementary School

• Oregon School District, WI
• PK, K-4

• A

• 540 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Mount Horeb High School

• Mount Horeb Area School District, WI
• 9-12
• 109

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 109 Reviews

• A

• 747 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Horizon Elementary School

• Sun Prairie Area School District, WI
• PK, K-4

• A-

• 492 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

McFarland High School

• McFarland School District, WI
• 9-12
• 72

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 72 Reviews

• A-

• 676 Students
• 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio