Below Average
#1855 of 2,102 schools in WI
Southside Elementary School
Elementary School · Madison Metropolitan School District
501 E Badger Rd, Madison, WI 53713
Enrollment
357
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
357
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Madison
#51 of 53
public schools
Wisconsin elementary schools
#992 of 1,099
In district
#50 of 52
Madison Metropolitan School District
School environment
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Southside Elementary School
Southside Elementary School is a regular public school located in Madison, Wisconsin. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, Southside has an enrollment of 357 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.3:1 with 29 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 3.3 out of 10, reflecting its state ranking as the 1783rd best out of 2112 schools in Wisconsin.
Academically, Southside Elementary has a score of 1.5/10 and shows that only about 13% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while around 15% are proficient or above in Math. Despite these challenges, the school is focused on continuous improvement and supporting each student's development. Southside Elementary School is situated in a large city setting within Dane County, providing a vibrant community environment for its young learners.
Score Breakdown
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Southside Elementary School — Students at Southside Elementary School score 7% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
68.1%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 4.2/10.
How Southside Elementary School Compares
See how Southside Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 2.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 12% (2019) to 12% (2021).
Location
501 E Badger Rd, Madison, WI 53713
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southside Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Forest Edge Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Fitchburg), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST JAMES SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lapham Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 3.3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Badger Rock Middle Madison | 0.0 mi | 8.4 |
| WOODLAND MONTESSORI SCHOOL Madison | 1.2 mi | — |
| Franklin Elementary Madison | 1.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Lincoln Elementary Madison | 1.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Forest Edge Elementary School Fitchburg | 1.6 mi | 8.9 |
| James Wright Middle Madison | 1.4 mi | 6.1 |
| GREENWAY CROSSING MONTESSORI Madison | 1.5 mi | — |
| Metro School Madison | 2.4 mi | — |
| One City Elementary School Madison | 1.9 mi | 6.3 |
| One City Preparatory Academy Madison | 1.9 mi | 6.0 |
| 4K PK Off Site Madison | 2.4 mi | 7.4 |
| ST JAMES SCHOOL Madison | 2.4 mi | 8.4 |
| Nuestro Mundo Monona | 2.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Leopold Elementary Madison | 2.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Winnequah School Monona | 2.7 mi | 6.7 |
| EDGEWOOD CAMPUS SCHOOL Madison | 2.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Lapham Elementary Madison | 3.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Innovative High Madison | 3.3 mi | 7.5 |
| EDGEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL OF THE SACRED HEART Madison | 2.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Randall Elementary School Madison | 2.9 mi | 6.8 |
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 Southside Elementary School 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 |
|---|---|
| Crandon Elementary Crandon, WI | 4.7 |
| GARDEN HOMES LUTHERAN SCHOOL Milwaukee, WI | 4.7 |
| Horace Mann Elementary Neenah, WI | 4.7 |
| Lodi Primary Lodi, WI | 4.7 |
| North Elementary Hartland, WI | 4.7 |
| Pershing Elementary West Milwaukee, WI | 4.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southside Elementary School
What grades does Southside Elementary School serve?
Southside Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Southside Elementary School?
Southside Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 357 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southside Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Southside Elementary School is 12.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southside Elementary School rank in WI?
Southside Elementary School is ranked #1855 out of 2,102 schools in WI.
What is Southside Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Southside Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Southside Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southside Elementary School has 15.0% math proficiency and 13.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Southside Elementary School a charter school?
No, Southside Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Southside Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Southside Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southside Elementary School?
68.1% of students at Southside Elementary School 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
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 357
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 68.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Dane County
- Phone
- (608) 204-1056
- 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
- #50 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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