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Average

#1583 of 2,105 schools in WI

Sherman Middle

Middle School · Madison Metropolitan School District

1610 Ruskin St, Madison, WI 53704

Enrollment

385

Student-Teacher

13.3:1

Score

5.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Wisconsin schools

#1,583 of 2,105

In Madison

#44 of 54

public schools

In district

#42 of 52

Madison Metropolitan School District

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Sherman Middle

5.1/10

Middle School in Madison · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Shabazz-city High

4.2/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Isthmus Montessori Academy Public

8.6/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Sherman Middle

Sherman Middle is a public middle school in Madison, WI, part of Madison Metropolitan School District. Sherman Middle serves approximately 385 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 13.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Sherman Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,583 of 2,105 schools in WI.

Structured state assessment records for Sherman Middle show 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.1 pts below district
  • This school 5.1 · Average
  • District avg 6.2
  • WI avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

42% of students at Sherman 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 metrics
Student Progress5.9Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.88 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.3Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27% (2025 FORWARD)
Reading/ELA Proficiency33.8% (2025 FORWARD)
Math vs. State Avg-25.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-19 pts
Overall Proficiency30% (2025 FORWARD, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2025 FORWARD)
vs. Expected-10.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
Resources & Environment4.9Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,411
Chronic Absenteeism42.3%

Sherman Middle — Students at Sherman Middle score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

53.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 28.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 FORWARD)
ELA Proficiency 33.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.9% (2025 FORWARD)

Based on 34 test records from WI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
70%
ELA
75%
2010
Math
62%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
27%
ELA
20%
2012
Math
27%
ELA
21%
2013
Math
28%
ELA
21%
2014
Math
21%
ELA
30%
2015
Math
25%
ELA
26%
2016
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2017
Math
20%
ELA
24%
2018
Math
18%
ELA
28%
2019
Math
18%
ELA
28%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
22.7%
ELA
27.9%
2025
Math
27%
ELA
33.8%

* 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: 5.9/10.

How Sherman Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
5.1/10
25th percentile in WI
Academic
4.3/10
Below Average
Growth
5.9/10
Average
Environment
4.9/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
42.3%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1610 Ruskin St, Madison, WI 53704

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sherman Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. O'Keeffe Middle (rated 6.7/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Black Hawk Middle (rated 4.3/10, 2.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Madison, see our Madison schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Shabazz-City High Madison 0.0 mi 4.2
Isthmus Montessori Academy Public Madison 0.4 mi 8.6
RICHARDSON SCHOOL Madison 0.9 mi
Lake View Elementary Madison 1.2 mi 4.6
Emerson Elementary Madison 1.3 mi 7.6
East High Madison 1.5 mi 5.8
OPERATION FRESH START Madison 1.5 mi 7.0
Mendota Elementary Madison 1.7 mi 5.5
Gompers Elementary Madison 2.0 mi 7.5
Black Hawk Middle Madison 2.0 mi 4.3
Marquette Elementary Madison 2.2 mi 7.9
O'Keeffe Middle Madison 2.2 mi 6.7
Lowell Elementary Madison 2.0 mi 8.4
Innovative High Madison 2.3 mi 4.7
Lapham Elementary Madison 2.3 mi 6.3
Hawthorne Elementary Madison 1.8 mi 5.5
Lindbergh Elementary Madison 2.2 mi 5.5
Mendota Mental Health Institution Madison 2.3 mi
Schenk Elementary Madison 2.6 mi 6.2
WINGS TO SOAR ONLINE ACADEMY Madison 2.3 mi 4.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 53704 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$75,007

Median Home Value

$289,000

Median Rent

$1,231/mo

Population

47,136

College Educated

49.5%

Homeownership

53.5%

Avg Commute

21.3 min

Poverty Rate

11.8%

Median Age

35.2

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Aldrich Intermediate Beloit, WI 5.1
Wayne Bartels Middle Portage, WI 5.1
Starbuck - An IB World School Racine, WI 5.0
Washington Middle Manitowoc, WI 5.0
Wilson Middle Appleton, WI 5.0
Pardeeville Middle Pardeeville, WI 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sherman Middle

What grades does Sherman Middle serve?

Sherman Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Sherman Middle?

Sherman Middle has an enrollment of approximately 385 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sherman Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Sherman Middle is 13.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sherman Middle rank in WI?

Sherman Middle ranks #1,583 of 2,105 schools in WI.

What is Sherman Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Sherman Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 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 Sherman Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Sherman Middle has 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Sherman Middle a charter school?

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

Is Sherman Middle a Title I school?

No, Sherman Middle is not currently a Title I school.

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

53.5% of students at Sherman 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

Walk Score
69 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
42 Some Transit
Bike Score
70 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
385
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
53.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Dane County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
42.3%

District

Madison Metropolitan School District
District Enrollment
25,247
Schools in District
54
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,411
District Rank
#42 of 52

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