Below Average
#1909 of 2,105 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
4.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
357
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
4.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Wisconsin schools
#1,909 of 2,105
In Madison
#54 of 54
public schools
In district
#52 of 52
Madison Metropolitan School District
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Southside Elementary School
Elementary School in Madison · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Badger Rock Middle
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Woodland Montessori School
1.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Southside Elementary School
Southside Elementary School is a public elementary school in Madison, WI, part of Madison Metropolitan School District. Southside Elementary School serves approximately 357 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Southside Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,909 of 2,105 schools in WI.
Structured state assessment records for Southside Elementary School show 21% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 19% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.1 · Below Average
- District avg 6.9
- WI avg 6.8
What Parents Should Know
58% of students at Southside Elementary School 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
Southside Elementary School — Students at Southside Elementary School score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
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 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: 4.8/10.
How Southside Elementary School Compares
See how Southside Elementary School 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
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 9.5/10, 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, Randall Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 2.9 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 | 8.0 |
| WOODLAND MONTESSORI SCHOOL Madison | 1.2 mi | — |
| Franklin Elementary Madison | 1.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Lincoln Elementary Madison | 1.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Forest Edge Elementary School Fitchburg | 1.6 mi | 9.5 |
| James Wright Middle Madison | 1.4 mi | 6.4 |
| GREENWAY CROSSING MONTESSORI Madison | 1.5 mi | — |
| Metro School Madison | 2.4 mi | — |
| One City Elementary School Madison | 1.9 mi | 7.4 |
| One City Preparatory Academy Madison | 1.9 mi | 5.7 |
| 4K PK Off Site Madison | 2.4 mi | 5.5 |
| ST JAMES SCHOOL Madison | 2.4 mi | 8.4 |
| Nuestro Mundo Monona | 2.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Leopold Elementary Madison | 2.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Winnequah School Monona | 2.7 mi | 8.1 |
| EDGEWOOD CAMPUS SCHOOL Madison | 2.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Lapham Elementary Madison | 3.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Innovative High Madison | 3.3 mi | 4.7 |
| EDGEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL OF THE SACRED HEART Madison | 2.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Randall Elementary School Madison | 2.9 mi | 8.4 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Carson Academy Milwaukee, WI | 4.1 |
| Curtin Elementary Milwaukee, WI | 4.1 |
| Robinson Elementary Beloit, WI | 4.1 |
| Shady Lane Elementary Menomonee Falls, WI | 4.1 |
| Fratt Elementary Racine, WI | 4.0 |
| Starms Discovery Milwaukee, WI | 4.0 |
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 ranks #1,909 of 2,105 schools in WI.
What is Southside Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Southside Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 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 Southside Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Southside Elementary School has 21% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 19% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 58.0%
- Phone
- (608) 204-1056
Resources & Links
District
Madison Metropolitan School District- District Enrollment
- 25,247
- Schools in District
- 54
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,411
- District Rank
- #52 of 52
Other Schools in This District
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