Madison Metropolitan School District | Madison, WI
Families researching Madison schools often want to understand how the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) performs academically, how it compares to nearby Dane County districts, and what schools serve different parts of the Madison, Wisconsin community.
Quick answer: Madison Metropolitan School District is rated “Meets Expectations” by DPI (overall score 66.8), holds a B+ overall grade on Niche, and is ranked #4 for diversity in Wisconsin by Niche.
Madison Metropolitan School District Snapshot
This snapshot summarizes key published district indicators (DPI, Niche, and U.S. News) that families commonly review when comparing Madison schools to nearby districts.
| DPI Overall Rating | Meets Expectations (66.8) |
|---|---|
| District Code (WI) | 3269 (State District ID: WI-3269) |
| NCES District ID | 5508520 |
| District Enrollment | 25,247 students |
| Number of Schools | 54 (preschool through high school) |
| Niche Overall Grade | B+ (Above Average) |
| Student–Teacher Ratio | 12:1 (U.S. News) / 13:1 (Niche) |
How Do Madison Schools Perform on the DPI Report Card?
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) district report card evaluates achievement, growth, graduation readiness, and equity measures. Madison Metropolitan School District earned an overall score of 66.8, placing it in the “Meets Expectations” category.
How Do Madison Schools Rank in Wisconsin?
On Niche, Madison Metropolitan School District receives a B+ overall grade and is described as an above-average public school district. Families often reference Niche category rankings (like diversity and athletics) alongside DPI performance when comparing districts.
| Best School Districts in the Madison Area | #12 |
|---|---|
| Best School Districts in Wisconsin | #74 of 366 |
| Most Diverse School Districts (WI) | #4 of 377 |
| Best Districts for Athletes (WI) | #41 of 360 |
Best Elementary Schools in Madison, Wisconsin
Families searching for the best elementary schools in Madison often start with school-level ratings. On the district’s Niche profile, highlighted schools include:
- Shorewood Hills Elementary School (A)
- Van Hise Elementary School (A)
- Randall Elementary School (A)
- Marquette Elementary School (A-)
- Lowell Elementary School (B+)
Middle Schools in Madison (What to Know)
Madison Metropolitan School District serves a large geographic area and includes multiple middle schools. Because boundaries and program options can differ across the city, the most accurate way to confirm an address-to-school assignment is through MMSD’s official tools: Find Your School (address lookup) and the district’s Attendance Areas page.
Tip for buyers: If you’re deciding between Madison vs. nearby districts (or near a boundary), confirm the assigned schools using the district’s official tools before writing an offer.
High Schools in MMSD (What Families Should Know)
MMSD operates multiple high schools (U.S. News lists 7 high schools within the district). Your assigned high school depends on your specific address and attendance boundary.
| Number of Students | 25,247 |
|---|---|
| Number of Schools | 54 |
| Student–Teacher Ratio | 12:1 |
| Minority Enrollment | 60% |
| Economically Disadvantaged | 29.5% |
| High School Graduation Rate | 80% |
| High School College Readiness | 31.5 |
Which Neighborhoods Feed into Madison Schools?
This is one of the most common questions families ask when searching for schools near Madison homes. MMSD covers most of the City of Madison and extends into boundary areas shown on district maps.
Because feeder patterns are determined by official attendance boundaries, the best practice is to verify the boundary map for any specific address — especially if you’re comparing neighborhoods or looking near the edges of the district.
School assignment tip: For the most accurate “what school is this address in?” answer, use MMSD’s official Find Your School lookup tool. Attendance boundaries can change over time.
How Do Madison Schools Compare to Nearby Districts?
Madison is commonly compared with nearby districts based on commute, programs, boundary fit, and overall school performance. If you’d like, you can review the other district guides here:
- Waunakee Community School District
- Middleton–Cross Plains Area School District
- Verona Area School District
- DeForest Area School District
- Sun Prairie Area School District
FAQ: Madison Metropolitan School District
How do I find my assigned school in Madison by address?
The safest and most accurate way is to use MMSD’s official Find Your School address lookup tool, because school boundaries and assignments can change over time.
Is school assignment in Madison based on my home address?
In most cases, yes — MMSD uses attendance boundaries to assign schools based on where you live. To confirm an exact address, use the district’s official school locator.
Where can I find the Madison school district boundary map?
MMSD publishes attendance information on their official Attendance Areas page. For address-specific results, the Find Your School tool is the fastest option.
Is Madison Metropolitan School District a good school district?
Based on the published sources used in this guide, MMSD is rated Meets Expectations by DPI (66.8), holds a B+ grade on Niche, and is ranked #4 in Wisconsin for diversity by Niche.
How does Madison Metropolitan School District rank in Wisconsin?
Niche lists MMSD as #74 of 366 best school districts in Wisconsin and #12 in the Madison area, with category rankings such as #4 for diversity statewide.
What is the student–teacher ratio?
U.S. News lists a district student–teacher ratio of 12:1. Niche lists 13:1.
How many schools are in MMSD?
U.S. News lists 54 schools in the district, including multiple elementary, middle, and high schools.
What neighborhoods feed into Madison schools?
Neighborhoods across Madison feed into MMSD schools based on official attendance boundaries. For any specific address, confirm assignment using MMSD’s official tools.
Is Madison a good place to raise a family?
Many families consider Madison family-friendly due to school options, parks, higher education access, and local amenities. If schools are a major decision factor, MMSD’s published performance data provides measurable benchmarks to review.
Learn About Nearby School Districts
- Waunakee schools
- Middleton–Cross Plains schools
- Verona schools
- Sun Prairie schools
- DeForest schools
- Madison schools
Sources
- Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) — District Report Cards (search “Madison Metropolitan School District”)
- Niche — Madison Metropolitan School District profile
- U.S. News Education — Madison Metropolitan School District profile
- Madison Metropolitan School District — Attendance Areas
- MMSD — Find Your School (Address Lookup Tool)
About the Author
This guide was compiled by John Reuter, a Madison-area neighborhood expert and Wisconsin REALTOR® with Integrity Homes, using publicly available education data from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI), Niche, and U.S. News to help families researching Madison schools understand district performance and comparisons.
John Reuter – Integrity Homes • Contact