Average
#1255 of 2,102 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
6.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
385
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
6.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Madison
#42 of 53
public schools
Wisconsin middle schools
#328 of 387
In district
#42 of 52
Madison Metropolitan School District
School environment
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Sherman Middle
Sherman Middle is a regular public school located in Madison, Wisconsin, serving students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 385 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.3:1, Sherman Middle provides a relatively intimate learning environment with 29 full-time equivalent teachers. The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 4.6 out of 10, placing it in the 34th percentile among Wisconsin schools based on state rankings.
Academically, Sherman Middle has an overall score of 2.8/10, with 31% proficiency or above in ELA and reading, and 23% proficiency or above in math. While there is room for academic growth at Sherman Middle, the school focuses on student development through a range of supportive programs and dedicated teachers. Situated in a large city setting within Madison’s vibrant educational community, Sherman Middle benefits from being part of Dane County’s rich cultural landscape.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Sherman 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Sherman Middle — Students at Sherman Middle score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
53.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)
Based on 10 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: 6.3/10.
How Sherman Middle Compares
See how Sherman Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 18% (2019) to 17% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 28% (2019) to 27% (2021).
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 8.5/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Black Hawk Middle (rated 5.9/10, 2.0 miles away), with a very similar 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 | 7.1 |
| Isthmus Montessori Academy Public Madison | 0.4 mi | 8.2 |
| RICHARDSON SCHOOL Madison | 0.9 mi | — |
| Lake View Elementary Madison | 1.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Emerson Elementary Madison | 1.3 mi | 6.7 |
| East High Madison | 1.5 mi | 8.2 |
| OPERATION FRESH START Madison | 1.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Mendota Elementary Madison | 1.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Gompers Elementary Madison | 2.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Black Hawk Middle Madison | 2.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Marquette Elementary Madison | 2.2 mi | 8.0 |
| O'Keeffe Middle Madison | 2.2 mi | 8.5 |
| Lowell Elementary Madison | 2.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Innovative High Madison | 2.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Lapham Elementary Madison | 2.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Hawthorne Elementary Madison | 1.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Lindbergh Elementary Madison | 2.2 mi | 4.1 |
| Mendota Mental Health Institution Madison | 2.3 mi | — |
| Schenk Elementary Madison | 2.6 mi | 5.5 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sherman Middle has a median household income of $75,007. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $289,000, with a median rent of $1,231/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.8%. 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 |
|---|---|
| James Wright Middle Madison, WI | 6.1 |
| Oconto Middle Oconto, WI | 6.1 |
| Franklin Middle Janesville, WI | 6.0 |
| West Milwaukee Intermediate West Milwaukee, WI | 6.0 |
| Brookwood Middle Genoa City, WI | 6.2 |
| Clarke Middle Two Rivers, WI | 6.2 |
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 is ranked #1255 out of 2,102 schools in WI.
What is Sherman Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Sherman 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 Sherman Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sherman Middle has 23.2% math proficiency and 31.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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
- 385
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 53.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Dane County
- Phone
- (608) 204-2100
- 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
- #42 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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