U.S. News & World Report Names Several MMSD Schools Among Top in Wisconsin

U.S. News & World Report included five Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) schools among the top 30 in Wisconsin for their grade levels, as part of its recently released annual “Best Elementary Schools,” “Best Middle Schools” and “Best High Schools” rankings.

“These recognitions directly reflect our focus on students and commitment to helping them achieve their potential,”said Dr. Joe Gothard, MMSD’s superintendent. “The hard work of students and staff across the district helps ensure that learners at all of our schools are best positioned for success in whatever they choose to pursue.”

Shorewood Hills, Van Hise and Randall elementary schools respectively ranked eighth, 12th and 29th, among more than 1,900 elementary schools throughout Wisconsin included on the list. Out of 100 possible points, Shorewood Hills, Van Hise and Randall achieved scores of 99.1, 98.9 and 97.2, respectively. Velma Hamilton Middle School ranked 15th among 1,456 Wisconsin middle schools, with a score of 97.43. 

West High School, with an overall score of 94.35, achieved a ranking of 24th out of 569 eligible high schools, earning it a spot within the top 5% statewide. Vel Phillips Memorial scored 86.86, placing it at number 69 and among the top 13% of Wisconsin high schools.

Other notable placements on the lists were Marquette Elementary and Stephens Elementary, both of which ranked in the top 10% statewide for elementary schools, and Spring Harbor Middle School, which placed in the top 10% of the state’s middle schools.

Elementary and middle schools were ranked primarily according to measured proficiency in/performance on state-administered tests in math and reading. High schools rankings were determined by a school enrollment’s college readiness, state assessment proficiency, state assessment performance, underserved student performance, college curriculum breadth and graduation rate.

U.S. News & World Report has been publishing high school rankings since 2007, and elementary and middle school rankings since 2021.