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Very Good

#561 of 2,102 schools in WI

Top 27% in state

Monona Grove Liberal Arts

High School · Monona Grove School District

5301 Monona Dr, Monona, WI 53716

Charter

Enrollment

86

Student-Teacher

9.6:1

Score

7.3

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Monona

#1 of 4

public schools

Wisconsin high schools

#58 of 499

In district

#2 of 7

Monona Grove School District

Academic growth

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Monona Grove Liberal Arts

Monona Grove Liberal Arts is a charter high school serving 86 students in grades 6 through 12 in Monona, Wisconsin. This small public school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 9.6:1, with 9 full-time equivalent teachers providing personalized attention to each student. The school has earned a solid MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #366 out of 2,112 schools statewide, placing it in the 83rd percentile among Wisconsin schools.

This performance reflects the school's commitment to academic excellence within its unique charter school model. As a grades 6-12 institution, Monona Grove Liberal Arts serves both middle and high school students, creating opportunities for continuity and mentorship across age groups. The small enrollment allows for close relationships between students and faculty, fostering a tight-knit learning community where individual needs can be addressed.

The school draws families from the 53716 ZIP code area, a well-educated community where 51% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. With a median household income of $86,538 and median home values around $296,300, the neighborhood reflects a stable, affluent environment that values education. Located in Dane County's large suburban setting, the school serves families seeking an alternative educational approach in a supportive community atmosphere.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 86 students, Monona Grove Liberal Arts 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.6:1, Monona Grove Liberal Arts 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.

Monona Grove Liberal Arts is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.4Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.88 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics4.5Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30%
Reading/ELA Proficiency30%
Math vs. State Avg-22.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-22.8 pts
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected-15.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile26th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,738

Monona Grove Liberal Arts — Students at Monona Grove Liberal Arts score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

24.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 39.4%
School
State
53.0%
ELA Proficiency 40.2%
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
25%
ELA
25%
2021*
Math
30%
ELA
30%
2025
Math
47.3%
ELA
48.6%

* 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: 9.4/10.

How Monona Grove Liberal Arts Compares

See how Monona Grove Liberal Arts performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.3/10
73th percentile in WI
Academic
4.5/10
4.5/10
Growth
9.4/10
Above average
Environment
8.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
24%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

Location

5301 Monona Dr, Monona, WI 53716

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Monona Grove Liberal Arts may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Monona Grove High (rated 6.3/10, 0.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, LaFollette High (rated 6.0/10, 0.4 miles away, in nearby Madison), a more accessible option. For more schools in Monona, see our Monona schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.8 mi
School Distance Rating
IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Monona 0.4 mi 8.0
Sennett Middle Madison 0.3 mi 6.5
LaFollette High Madison 0.4 mi 6.0
Monona Grove High Monona 0.7 mi 6.3
Nuestro Mundo Monona 0.6 mi 6.3
Winnequah School Monona 0.7 mi 6.7
Dr Virginia Henderson Elementary School Madison 0.8 mi 7.0
THREE ANGELS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Madison 0.9 mi
One City Elementary School Madison 1.3 mi 6.3
One City Preparatory Academy Madison 1.3 mi 6.0
ABUNDANT LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Madison 1.6 mi 7.5
Schenk Elementary Madison 2.1 mi 5.5
ST DENNIS SCHOOL Madison 2.1 mi 6.9
Whitehorse Middle Madison 2.1 mi 6.4
Milestone Democratic School Madison 1.6 mi
Lowell Elementary Madison 2.3 mi 6.5
Elvehjem Elementary Madison 2.1 mi 6.3
Marquette Elementary Madison 2.3 mi 8.0
O'Keeffe Middle Madison 2.3 mi 8.5
TOAD HILL CHILDRENS HOUSE Madison 2.8 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 53716 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$89,225

Median Home Value

$325,400

Median Rent

$1,264/mo

Population

18,866

College Educated

51%

Homeownership

71.7%

Avg Commute

21 min

Poverty Rate

6.8%

Median Age

42.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Monona Grove Liberal Arts has a median household income of $89,225. It is a well-educated community where 51% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $325,400, with a median rent of $1,264/month. The local poverty rate of 6.8% is relatively low. 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
Highland Community High Highland, WI 7.3
South Shore Jr/Sr High Port Wing, WI 7.2
Pembine High Pembine, WI 7.4
Athens High Athens, WI 7.1
CHESTERTON ACADEMY OF MILWAUKEE Menomonee Falls, WI 7.5
Groppi High Milwaukee, WI 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Monona Grove Liberal Arts

What grades does Monona Grove Liberal Arts serve?

Monona Grove Liberal Arts serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Monona Grove Liberal Arts?

Monona Grove Liberal Arts has an enrollment of approximately 86 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Monona Grove Liberal Arts?

The student-teacher ratio at Monona Grove Liberal Arts is 9.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Monona Grove Liberal Arts rank in WI?

Monona Grove Liberal Arts is ranked #561 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is Monona Grove Liberal Arts's MySchoolScout rating?

Monona Grove Liberal Arts has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Monona Grove Liberal Arts?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Monona Grove Liberal Arts has 39.4% math proficiency and 40.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Monona Grove Liberal Arts a charter school?

Yes, Monona Grove Liberal Arts is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Monona Grove Liberal Arts a Title I school?

No, Monona Grove Liberal Arts is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Monona Grove Liberal Arts?

24.4% of students at Monona Grove Liberal Arts 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

Walk Score
74 Very Walkable
Bike Score
60 Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,172/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
86
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Free/Reduced Lunch
24.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Dane County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Monona Grove School District
District Enrollment
3,696
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,263
District Rank
#2 of 7

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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