Average
#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
Enrollment
391
Student-Teacher
8.9:1
Score
6.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Madison High School — Students at Madison High School score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 40.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 56.1% (2025).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (828) 649-2876
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Madison County Schools- District Enrollment
- 2,130
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,167
- District Rank
- #3 of 6
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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