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Average

#812 of 2,102 schools in WI

Top 39% in state

Capital High

High School · Madison Metropolitan School District

3802 Regent St, Madison, WI 53705

Enrollment

123

Student-Teacher

7.7:1

Score

6.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Madison

#27 of 53

public schools

Wisconsin high schools

#89 of 499

In district

#27 of 52

Madison Metropolitan School District

School environment

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Capital High

Capital High serves 123 students in grades 9-12 as an alternative high school in Madison, Wisconsin. With just 16 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an exceptionally low 7.7:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for highly individualized attention and support that many students in alternative settings need to succeed. The school has earned a solid 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #312 out of 2,112 Wisconsin schools, placing it in the 85th percentile statewide.

This strong performance reflects the school's effectiveness in serving students who may not thrive in traditional high school environments. Capital High's small enrollment creates an intimate learning community where students can receive personalized instruction and build meaningful relationships with faculty. The alternative school model typically serves students who benefit from flexible scheduling, credit recovery options, or specialized support services.

Located on Regent Street in Madison's 53705 ZIP code, the school sits in an educated community where 76% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The neighborhood's median household income of $79,253 and median home value of $427,400 reflect a stable, middle-to-upper-middle-class area. Capital High operates within Madison's large city setting, providing students access to urban resources and opportunities while maintaining a close-knit school environment.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 123 students, Capital High is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

While current test scores at Capital High 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 7.7:1, Capital High 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+2.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics3.5Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)16%
vs. Expected-6.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.5Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,181

Capital High — Students at Capital High score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 16%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

79.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 7.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 7.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 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
5%
ELA
5%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
10%

* 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: 8.1/10.

How Capital High Compares

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

Overall Score
6.9/10
61th percentile in WI
Academic
3.5/10
3.5/10
Growth
8.1/10
Above average
Environment
9.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
80%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers

Location

3802 Regent St, Madison, WI 53705

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Capital High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. West High (rated 7.2/10, 0.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, EDGEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL OF THE SACRED HEART (rated 6.3/10, 1.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Madison, see our Madison schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE SCHOOL Madison 0.7 mi 6.0
Shorewood Hills Elementary Madison 0.8 mi 8.0
West High Madison 0.6 mi 7.2
WINGRA SCHOOL Madison 1.0 mi 7.8
Midvale Elementary Madison 1.0 mi 7.5
BLESSED SACRAMENT SCHOOL Madison 0.8 mi 7.5
Van Hise Elementary Madison 1.0 mi 6.1
Hamilton Middle Madison 1.0 mi 7.4
EDGEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL OF THE SACRED HEART Madison 1.1 mi 6.3
EDGEWOOD CAMPUS SCHOOL Madison 1.2 mi 6.0
Randall Elementary School Madison 1.1 mi 6.8
Thoreau Elementary Madison 1.6 mi 7.5
Cherokee Heights Middle Madison 1.9 mi 6.8
HORIZON HIGH Madison 1.5 mi
LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Madison 1.5 mi 7.4
ST JAMES SCHOOL Madison 1.7 mi 8.4
Spring Harbor Middle Madison 1.9 mi 8.0
Stephens Elementary Madison 2.0 mi 7.2
MONTESSORI CHILDRENS HOUSE Madison 2.3 mi
Crestwood Elementary Madison 2.2 mi 8.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 53705 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$82,315

Median Home Value

$446,500

Median Rent

$1,322/mo

Population

25,045

College Educated

75.3%

Homeownership

47.8%

Avg Commute

18.3 min

Poverty Rate

12.4%

Median Age

34.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Capital High has a median household income of $82,315. It is a well-educated community where 75% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $446,500, with a median rent of $1,322/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.4%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
Belmont High Belmont, WI 6.9
School for Arts and Performance Wales, WI 6.9
Three Lakes High Three Lakes, WI 6.9
Drummond High Drummond, WI 7.0
Laona High Laona, WI 7.0
ST AMBROSE ACADEMY Madison, WI 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Capital High

What grades does Capital High serve?

Capital High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Capital High?

Capital High has an enrollment of approximately 123 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Capital High?

The student-teacher ratio at Capital High is 7.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Capital High rank in WI?

Capital High is ranked #812 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is Capital High's MySchoolScout rating?

Capital High has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Capital High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Capital High has 7.5% math proficiency and 7.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Capital High a charter school?

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

Is Capital High a Title I school?

No, Capital High is not currently a Title I school.

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

79.7% of students at Capital High 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
9th – 12th
Enrollment
123
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
79.7%
Type
alternative
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
#27 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

Related reading

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