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
Enrollment
123
Student-Teacher
7.7:1
Score
6.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Capital High — Students at Capital High score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 16%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
79.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WI EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from WI 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: 8.1/10.
How Capital High Compares
See how Capital High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 5% (2019) to 10% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 5% (2019) to 10% (2021).
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.
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
- Phone
- (608) 204-4220
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Madison Metropolitan School District- District Enrollment
- 25,247
- Schools in District
- 54
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,411
- District Rank
- #27 of 52
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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