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#1253 of 2,102 schools in WI

James Wright Middle

Middle School · Madison Metropolitan School District

1717 Fish Hatchery Rd, Madison, WI 53713

Enrollment

259

Student-Teacher

11.3:1

Score

6.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Madison

#40 of 53

public schools

Wisconsin middle schools

#327 of 387

In district

#40 of 52

Madison Metropolitan School District

School environment

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About James Wright Middle

James Wright Middle serves 259 students in grades 6 through 8 in Madison, Wisconsin. With 23 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 11.3:1, allowing for more personalized attention and smaller class sizes than many middle schools. The school earns a solid 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #287 out of 2,112 schools statewide, placing it in the 86th percentile among Wisconsin schools.

This strong performance reflects the school's commitment to middle grade education during these crucial developmental years. Located at 1717 Fish Hatchery Road, James Wright Middle sits in a diverse community where nearly 40 percent of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, creating an environment that values education. The surrounding neighborhood has a median household income of $53,452 and median home values around $241,000, representing a mixed-income area with families from various economic backgrounds.

The school serves students during the important transition years between elementary and high school, helping them develop both academically and socially. James Wright Middle operates as part of Madison's large city school system, providing students with urban educational opportunities while maintaining the more intimate feel that comes with its manageable enrollment size.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at James Wright 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 Progress6.6Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.49 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics3.1Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency17%
Math vs. State Avg-44.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-35.8 pts
Overall Proficiency12%
Expected (poverty-adj.)23%
vs. Expected-10.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
Resources & Environment9.5Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,181

James Wright Middle — Students at James Wright Middle score 12% 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

67.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 20.1%
School
State
53.0%
ELA Proficiency 29.6%
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
22%
ELA
23%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2025
Math
23.7%
ELA
35.9%

* 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: 6.6/10.

How James Wright Middle Compares

See how James Wright Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.1/10
40th percentile in WI
Academic
3.1/10
3.1/10
Growth
6.6/10
Above average
Environment
9.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
68%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers

Location

1717 Fish Hatchery Rd, Madison, WI 53713

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering James Wright Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Forest Edge Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Fitchburg), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST JAMES SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Badger Rock Middle (rated 8.4/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Madison, see our Madison schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Lincoln Elementary Madison 0.5 mi 6.6
Franklin Elementary Madison 0.8 mi 6.5
WOODLAND MONTESSORI SCHOOL Madison 0.9 mi
GREENWAY CROSSING MONTESSORI Madison 1.2 mi
ST JAMES SCHOOL Madison 1.2 mi 8.4
EDGEWOOD CAMPUS SCHOOL Madison 1.2 mi 6.0
4K PK Off Site Madison 1.6 mi 7.4
EDGEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL OF THE SACRED HEART Madison 1.3 mi 6.3
Southside Elementary School Madison 1.4 mi 4.7
Badger Rock Middle Madison 1.4 mi 8.4
Randall Elementary School Madison 1.6 mi 6.8
Metro School Madison 1.8 mi
BLESSED SACRAMENT SCHOOL Madison 1.7 mi 7.5
Leopold Elementary Madison 1.8 mi 5.7
West High Madison 1.9 mi 7.2
WINGRA SCHOOL Madison 1.8 mi 7.8
Thoreau Elementary Madison 2.1 mi 7.5
Forest Edge Elementary School Fitchburg 2.7 mi 8.9
Capital High Madison 2.4 mi 6.9
EAGLE SCHOOL OF MADISON Madison 2.9 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 53713 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$57,833

Median Home Value

$259,100

Median Rent

$1,173/mo

Population

23,744

College Educated

39.3%

Homeownership

30.7%

Avg Commute

17.1 min

Poverty Rate

16.3%

Median Age

30.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding James Wright Middle has a median household income of $57,833. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $259,100, with a median rent of $1,173/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.3%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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
Boyceville Middle Boyceville, WI 6.1
Fall Creek Middle Fall Creek, WI 6.1
Mondovi Middle Mondovi, WI 6.1
Oconto Middle Oconto, WI 6.1
United Community Center Acosta Middle School Milwaukee, WI 6.0
West Milwaukee Intermediate West Milwaukee, WI 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about James Wright Middle

What grades does James Wright Middle serve?

James Wright Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend James Wright Middle?

James Wright Middle has an enrollment of approximately 259 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at James Wright Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at James Wright Middle is 11.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does James Wright Middle rank in WI?

James Wright Middle is ranked #1253 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is James Wright Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

James Wright Middle has a composite rating of 6.1 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 James Wright Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, James Wright Middle has 20.1% math proficiency and 29.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is James Wright Middle a charter school?

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

Is James Wright Middle a Title I school?

No, James Wright Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James Wright Middle?

67.6% of students at James Wright 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
259
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
67.6%
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
#40 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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