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Average

#1358 of 2,102 schools in WI

Black Hawk Middle

Middle School · Madison Metropolitan School District

1402 Wyoming Way, Madison, WI 53704

Enrollment

376

Student-Teacher

15.7:1

Score

5.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Madison

#46 of 53

public schools

Wisconsin middle schools

#341 of 387

In district

#45 of 52

Madison Metropolitan School District

Academic growth

7.6 / 10

Very strong

About Black Hawk Middle

Black Hawk Middle is a regular public school located in Madison, Wisconsin, serving students from sixth through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 376 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.7:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each child succeed. The dedicated staff includes 24 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support their students' academic and social needs.

While Black Hawk Middle currently ranks in the lower half of Wisconsin schools according to MySchoolScout's metrics—holding a rating of 4.0 out of 10 with an academic score of 2.2/10—it focuses on continuous improvement and student development. On state assessments, only 29% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and 21% in Math, indicating areas where the school aims to grow. Located in a large city setting within Dane County, Black Hawk Middle benefits from the diverse resources available in Madison while maintaining its commitment to providing a strong educational foundation for its middle schoolers.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Black Hawk Middle are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.22 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics3.8Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12%
Reading/ELA Proficiency22%
Math vs. State Avg-40.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-30.8 pts
Overall Proficiency17%
Expected (poverty-adj.)23%
vs. Expected-6.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
Resources & Environment6.1Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,181

Black Hawk Middle — Students at Black Hawk Middle score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

66%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 20.8%
School
State
53.0%
ELA Proficiency 28.6%
School
State
52.9%

Based on 10 test records from WI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
15%
ELA
19%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2025
Math
25.6%
ELA
33.9%

* 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: 7.6/10.

How Black Hawk Middle Compares

See how Black Hawk Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.9/10
35th percentile in WI
Academic
3.8/10
3.8/10
Growth
7.6/10
Above average
Environment
6.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
66%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers

Location

1402 Wyoming Way, Madison, WI 53704

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Black Hawk Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. MADISON COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL (rated 9.0/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Waunakee), which scores notably higher. Another option is Isthmus Montessori Academy Public (rated 8.2/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, East High (rated 8.2/10, 3.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Madison, see our Madison schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Gompers Elementary Madison 0.1 mi 7.2
Lake View Elementary Madison 0.9 mi 7.0
Mendota Elementary Madison 1.0 mi 6.3
Lindbergh Elementary Madison 1.0 mi 4.1
MADISON COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Waunakee 1.4 mi 9.0
RICHARDSON SCHOOL Madison 1.7 mi
Sherman Middle Madison 2.0 mi 6.1
Shabazz-City High Madison 2.0 mi 7.1
Isthmus Montessori Academy Public Madison 2.0 mi 8.2
Mendota Mental Health Institution Madison 1.9 mi
Emerson Elementary Madison 3.3 mi 6.7
East High Madison 3.5 mi 8.2
OPERATION FRESH START Madison 3.4 mi 7.0
Hawthorne Elementary Madison 3.2 mi 5.7
Arboretum Elementary Waunakee 3.2 mi 5.6
Sandburg Elementary Madison 3.0 mi 5.9
Innovative High Madison 4.2 mi 7.5
Lapham Elementary Madison 4.2 mi 7.5
Lowell Elementary Madison 4.0 mi 6.5
Marquette Elementary Madison 4.2 mi 8.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 53704 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$75,007

Median Home Value

$289,000

Median Rent

$1,231/mo

Population

47,136

College Educated

49.5%

Homeownership

53.5%

Avg Commute

21.3 min

Poverty Rate

11.8%

Median Age

35.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Black Hawk Middle has a median household income of $75,007. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $289,000, with a median rent of $1,231/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.8%. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Franklin Middle Janesville, WI 6.0
West Milwaukee Intermediate West Milwaukee, WI 6.0
Central Middle Hartford, WI 5.8
James Wright Middle Madison, WI 6.1
Oconto Middle Oconto, WI 6.1
Sherman Middle Madison, WI 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Black Hawk Middle

What grades does Black Hawk Middle serve?

Black Hawk Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Black Hawk Middle?

Black Hawk Middle has an enrollment of approximately 376 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Black Hawk Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Black Hawk Middle is 15.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Black Hawk Middle rank in WI?

Black Hawk Middle is ranked #1358 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is Black Hawk Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Black Hawk Middle has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Black Hawk Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Black Hawk Middle has 20.8% math proficiency and 28.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Black Hawk Middle a charter school?

No, Black Hawk Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Black Hawk Middle a Title I school?

No, Black Hawk Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Black Hawk Middle?

66.0% of students at Black Hawk Middle 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

City Safety
High (2,124/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Madison). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
376
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Free/Reduced Lunch
66.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Dane County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Madison Metropolitan School District
District Enrollment
25,247
Schools in District
54
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,411
District Rank
#45 of 52

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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