Moving to Madison, Wisconsin with kids? Before you choose a new home, you may want to research the best Madison school district.
Luckily, the Madison school district has a great reputation and ranks highly for diversity, athletic programs, and overall quality, even though it's a large city district. It ranks 5th among the most educated cities in America, and much of that has to do with the quality of the Madison WI public schools.
Along with its top-rated city district, there are many excellent districts in surrounding suburbs that rank even higher in national rankings. Suburban areas like Middleton-Cross Plains, Verona, and Waunakee are all renowned for their comprehensive programs and overall academic performance. So you have plenty of options depending on where you're planning to move in the Madison area.
That said, overall district education quality and individual school performance can vary significantly. So it's important to research in advance to find the best possible option. You can download the report card for any of the listed districts or schools though the Wisconsin Department of Education Web Portal. To make the search even simpler, here is a list of the best districts around Madison, WI.
The MMSD is the primary Madison school district within the city limits. It serves the cities of Madison and Fitchburg, the villages of Shorewood Hills and Maple Bluff, and the towns of Blooming Grove and Burke.
Its total enrollment is about 25,000 students across 54 Madison public schools. The MMSD has an average student-to-teacher ratio of 12:1, and 99.1% of teachers are certified, making it one of the best school districts in Madison WI. Some of the top elementary schools in Madison WI are within the district, including Shorewood Hills, Van Hise, and Randall Elementary School.
Across the entire district, 38% of elementary school students scored at or above the proficient level in both reading and math. MMSD is often praised for its strong academic and athletic programs, diversity, and overall quality for a large city school district. However, the district has also faced criticisms regarding understaffing and the quality of individual Madison schools.
However, if you live in the city proper and aren't interested in sending your child to a Madison private school, the MMSD is a solid district. For more information on enrollment and academic programs, parents can create an account for their son or daughter through their online portal and read information or leave a comment.
The Middleton Cross Plains Area School District is also among the best school districts around Madison, WI. Middleton is a Madison suburb located on the western bank of Lake Mendota. It serves the city of Middleton, the town of the same name, and the villages of Cross Plains and Black Earth.
The Madison school district serves 7,100 students across 7 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 1 high school, and 1 alternative high school. It's generally considered one of the best school districts around Madison, WI, and home to one of the best high schools in Wisconsin.
In the MCPASD, 59% of elementary school students tested at or above proficiency in reading, and 66% in math. Middleton High is often regarded as one of the top high schools in Wisconsin and ranks 14th in the state with a 61% participation rate in AP classes and 99% graduation rate. If you're looking for a Madison school district with a strong academic record, the MCPASD is a great choice.
The Verona Area School District is also typically considered a top Madison school district. Based in the city of Verona, a suburb located southwest of Madison, the VASD also covers parts of Madison and Fitchburg. It serves approximately 5700 students across seven elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school.
The VASD is home to some of the top schools in Wisconsin, and students benefit from its diversity, athletic organizations, and innovative teaching environment. The Verona Area International School, the New Century School, and Country View are all known for being among the top elementary schools in Madison, WI. Verona High School is also highly respected as one of the best high schools in Madison WI and ranks 68th in the state of Wisconsin, due to its 62% AP participation rate and 95% graduation rate.
The district ranks #3 in Dane County and #14 in Wisconsin. Anyone seeking a school district in Madison with a solid reputation for academic excellence will love the Verona Area School District.
The Waunakee Community School District is another educational system with a strong reputation as one of the best school districts around Madison, WI. The district ranks 32nd in Wisconsin, according to US News and World Report, and serves 4410 students across 7 schools. It’s the highest ranked Madison School District in Dane County on the annual report card issued by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, with a composite score of 84.6.
It's often praised for its strong AP and gifted programs and robust extracurricular activities. In fact, the WCSD ranked 8th in the nation for its athletic programs. It has faced criticisms for overcrowding and a lack of funding for specific schools and educational services.
Still, Waunakee Community High School is frequently regarded as one of the top-rated high schools in Wisconsin and ranks 32nd in the state, thanks to its 64% AP participation rate and 96% graduation rate. It's particularly notable for its support in helping students apply to colleges and universities, making it one of the best schools in Madison WI.
The Monona Grove School District is also one of the top school districts around Madison, WI. Based in Monona, the district serves students within the city limits and those living in the village of Cottage Grove.
It serves approximately 3,700 students across seven schools: four elementary schools, one middle school, and two high schools. The district often exceeds expectations on state report cards, including strong ELA and Math achievement scores.
According to US News and World Report, 52% of elementary school students tested at or above proficiency in reading, and 56% in math. Monona Grove High School is the primary high school serving students in grades K-12 (although MG21 Charter School also serves grades 6-12).
It's a well-respected school with a 95% graduation rate and a 54% AP Participation rate. If you're looking for Madison high schools with a solid track record of academic performance, Monona Grove is an excellent choice.
Located in the village of New Glarus, a Swiss enclave known for its beautiful architecture, the New Glarus School District is another top Madison school district. It's ranked 24th best district in the state of Wisconsin and serves the village as well as smaller unincorporated communities in the area. It's a highly respected district that consistently exceeds state expectations by a considerable margin with excellent SAT and ACT scores and high graduation rates.
It received an overall score of 85.2 from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction in 2025, the highest grade in both Dane and Green counties. Its high ratings have earned it a reputation as one of the best school districts around Madison, Wisconsin, and 57% of elementary school students test at or above proficiency in reading, and 62% in math.
It consists of three schools: one elementary school, one middle school, and one high school. New Glarus High School is also highly respected, ranking 24th in the state and 1079th in the country, with a 99% graduation rate. Anyone looking for one of the best school districts around Madison WI, should seriously consider the New Glarus School District.
Just south of Madison in the laidback village of Oregon is the Oregon School District, which also ranks among the best school districts around Madison, WI. The district covers an 81-mile radius and serves over a dozen communities in Dane, Rock, and Green Counties.
The Madison school district ranks well both regionally and nationally for its strong academic programs, high graduation rates, and wealth of available resources for parents and students. It serves approximately 4110 students across 8 schools.
Oregon High School is notable for its strong STEM and academic programs, making it a popular choice in the Madison school district for growing families. It also ranks 42nd in Wisconsin and 1,453rd in the country, with a 97% graduation rate and a 54% AP participation rate.
The Madison Metropolitan School District is the largest Madison school district in terms of total enrollment. It serves over 25,000 students across 54 schools in the city of Madison and Fitchburg. It's the second largest in the state of Wisconsin, after the Milwaukee Public School District.
While exact rankings vary, the Middleton-Cross Plains school district is often regarded as the best Madison school district based on test scores and overall academic performance. However, the Verona Area School District, Waunakee School District, and Madison Metropolitan District are all strong contenders.
Yes, Madison, WI, is often considered to have excellent schools. The Madison Metropolitan School District has many highly respected schools, especially for a large urban district. Plus, some of the best school districts around Madison, WI, are also home to top-ranked high schools in Wisconsin.
Thinking about relocating after finding the perfect Madison school district? When you’re ready to make the move, you can trust the top-rated Madison movers at Dairyland to make your moving day easy and efficient. Call (608) 856-6683 today for a free quote.
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