Average
#1097 of 2,105 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
6.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
259
Student-Teacher
11.3:1
Score
6.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Wisconsin schools
#1,097 of 2,105
In Madison
#29 of 54
public schools
In district
#28 of 52
Madison Metropolitan School District
School environment
7.6 / 10
Very Good
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James Wright Middle
Middle School in Madison · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Lincoln Elementary
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Franklin Elementary
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About James Wright Middle
James Wright Middle is a public middle school in Madison, WI, part of Madison Metropolitan School District. James Wright Middle serves approximately 259 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 11.3:1 student-teacher ratio. James Wright Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,097 of 2,105 schools in WI.
Structured state assessment records for James Wright Middle show 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.4 · Average
- District avg 6.2
- WI avg 6.8
What Parents Should Know
33% of students at James Wright Middle were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
James Wright Middle — Students at James Wright Middle score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
67.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)
Based on 34 test records from WI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 7.0/10.
How James Wright Middle Compares
See how James Wright Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 9.5/10, 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, Randall Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 1.6 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 | 7.4 |
| Franklin Elementary Madison | 0.8 mi | 6.1 |
| 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 | 5.5 |
| EDGEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL OF THE SACRED HEART Madison | 1.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Southside Elementary School Madison | 1.4 mi | 4.1 |
| Badger Rock Middle Madison | 1.4 mi | 8.0 |
| Randall Elementary School Madison | 1.6 mi | 8.4 |
| Metro School Madison | 1.8 mi | — |
| BLESSED SACRAMENT SCHOOL Madison | 1.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Leopold Elementary Madison | 1.8 mi | 4.8 |
| West High Madison | 1.9 mi | 6.7 |
| WINGRA SCHOOL Madison | 1.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Thoreau Elementary Madison | 2.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Forest Edge Elementary School Fitchburg | 2.7 mi | 9.5 |
| Capital High Madison | 2.4 mi | 8.0 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Brodhead Middle Brodhead, WI | 6.4 |
| Chetek-Weyerhaeuser Middle Chetek, WI | 6.5 |
| Chilton Middle Chilton, WI | 6.5 |
| Phillips Middle Phillips, WI | 6.5 |
| East Troy Middle East Troy, WI | 6.3 |
| Seymour Middle Seymour, WI | 6.3 |
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 ranks #1,097 of 2,105 schools in WI.
What is James Wright Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
James Wright Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at James Wright Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, James Wright Middle has 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 32.8%
- Phone
- (608) 204-1340
Resources & Links
District
Madison Metropolitan School District- District Enrollment
- 25,247
- Schools in District
- 54
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,411
- District Rank
- #28 of 52
Other Schools in This District
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