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#1366 of 2,648 schools in NC

Madison High School

High School · Madison County Schools

5740 US Hwy 25-70, Marshall, NC 28753

Enrollment

391

Student-Teacher

8.9:1

Score

6.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Marshall

#3 of 4

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#136 of 579

In district

#3 of 6

Madison County Schools

School environment

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Madison High School

Madison High School serves 391 students in grades 9-12 in Marshall, North Carolina, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing high schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranking #116 out of 2,661 North Carolina schools, Madison High places in the 96th percentile statewide for academic excellence. The school's impressive 8.9:1 student-teacher ratio, supported by 44 full-time equivalent teachers, creates an environment where students receive personalized attention.

This focused approach shows in academic results, with 60% of students performing proficiently or above in mathematics and 56% meeting proficiency standards in English Language Arts and reading. Madison High serves a stable rural community where the median household income of $57,738 and median home value of $212,700 reflect a working-class area with strong community values. With 31% of local residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a relatively low poverty rate of 11.2%, the school draws from families who prioritize education while maintaining small-town connections.

The school's rural setting along US Highway 25-70 provides students with a close-knit learning environment where teachers know students individually and families are actively engaged in the educational process.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.9:1, Madison High School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Madison High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.0Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.86 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.5Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency40.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency56.1%
Math vs. State Avg-15.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+2.5 pts
Overall Proficiency49%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+3.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile49th
College Readiness5.1Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation9.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,773

Madison High School — Students at Madison High School score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

98.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 48.3%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 48.4%
School
State
53.6%

Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
47%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2025
Math
40.9%
ELA
56.1%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.0/10.

How Madison High School Compares

See how Madison High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.4/10
49th percentile in NC
Academic
6.5/10
6.5/10
Growth
5.0/10
Above average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
44 teachers

Location

5740 US Hwy 25-70, Marshall, NC 28753

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Madison High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Madison Early College High (rated 7.3/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is North Buncombe High (rated 5.7/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Weaverville), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Erwin High (rated 3.8/10, 13.8 miles away, in nearby Asheville), a more accessible option. For more schools in Marshall, see our Marshall schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Madison Velocity Learning Center Marshall 0.0 mi
Madison Early College High Marshall 0.1 mi 7.3
Brush Creek Elementary Marshall 2.9 mi 4.7
Madison Middle School Marshall 3.0 mi 7.8
CHANGING HEARTS BOARDING SCHOOL Marshall 3.8 mi
Mars Hill Elementary Mars Hill 6.9 mi 5.7
North Buncombe Elementary Weaverville 7.6 mi 8.0
North Buncombe High Weaverville 8.3 mi 5.7
North Windy Ridge Intermediate Weaverville 9.2 mi 7.0
North Buncombe Middle Weaverville 9.4 mi 7.3
Leicester Elementary Leicester 11.0 mi 7.3
Weaverville Primary Weaverville 10.4 mi 7.0
Weaverville Elementary Weaverville 10.7 mi 7.7
Hot Springs Elementary Hot Springs 10.4 mi 5.7
ASHEVILLE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Asheville 11.7 mi
TIMBERSONG ACADEMY Weaverville 10.4 mi
WOLF CREEK ACADEMY Mars Hill 11.9 mi
REYNOLDS MOUNTAIN CHRISTIAN ACADENY Asheville 12.8 mi 7.2
FRENCH BROAD RIVER ACADEMY-BOYS Asheville 13.1 mi 6.1
Erwin High Asheville 13.8 mi 3.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28753 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,172

Median Home Value

$246,700

Median Rent

$711/mo

Population

9,778

College Educated

31.4%

Homeownership

80.8%

Avg Commute

35.8 min

Poverty Rate

10.9%

Median Age

44.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Madison High School has a median household income of $56,172. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $246,700, with a median rent of $711/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.9%. The average commute in the area is 36 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Beaufort Co Early College High Washington, NC 6.4
Early College Asheville, NC 6.4
Manteo High School Manteo, NC 6.4
Surry Early College Dobson, NC 6.4
Char Eng Early College-UNCC Charlotte, NC 6.5
Uwharrie Ridge Six-Twelve Trinity, NC 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Madison High School

What grades does Madison High School serve?

Madison High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Madison High School?

Madison High School has an enrollment of approximately 391 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Madison High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Madison High School is 8.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Madison High School rank in NC?

Madison High School is ranked #1366 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Madison High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Madison High School has a composite rating of 6.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Madison High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Madison High School has 48.3% math proficiency and 48.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Madison High School a charter school?

No, Madison High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Madison High School a Title I school?

No, Madison High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Madison High School?

98.7% of students at Madison High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Average (328/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
391
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
44
Free/Reduced Lunch
98.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Madison County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Madison County Schools
District Enrollment
2,130
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,167
District Rank
#3 of 6

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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