Excellent
#302 of 2,105 schools in WI
Top 14% in state
Thoreau Elementary
Elementary School · Madison Metropolitan School District
3870 Nakoma Rd, Madison, WI 53711
Enrollment
398
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
398
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Wisconsin schools
#302 of 2,105
In Madison
#7 of 54
public schools
In district
#7 of 52
Madison Metropolitan School District
Academic growth
9.0 / 10
Excellent
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Thoreau Elementary
Elementary School in Madison · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Cherokee Heights Middle
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Wingra School
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Thoreau Elementary
Thoreau Elementary is a public elementary school in Madison, WI, part of Madison Metropolitan School District. Thoreau Elementary serves approximately 398 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 11.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Thoreau Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranks #302 of 2,105 schools in WI.
Structured state assessment records for Thoreau Elementary show 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 8.3 · Excellent
- District avg 6.9
- WI avg 6.8
What Parents Should Know
33% of students at Thoreau Elementary 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
Thoreau Elementary — Students at Thoreau Elementary score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
35.4%
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
→ 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: 9.0/10.
How Thoreau Elementary Compares
See how Thoreau Elementary 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
3870 Nakoma Rd, Madison, WI 53711
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Thoreau Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Shorewood Hills Elementary (rated 9.4/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Van Hise Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Randall Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 2.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Madison, see our Madison schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Cherokee Heights Middle Madison | 0.5 mi | 6.7 |
| WINGRA SCHOOL Madison | 0.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Midvale Elementary Madison | 0.8 mi | 7.4 |
| OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE SCHOOL Madison | 1.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Capital High Madison | 1.6 mi | 8.0 |
| EDGEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL OF THE SACRED HEART Madison | 1.4 mi | 6.3 |
| EDGEWOOD CAMPUS SCHOOL Madison | 1.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Hamilton Middle Madison | 1.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Van Hise Elementary Madison | 1.6 mi | 8.7 |
| West High Madison | 1.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Leopold Elementary Madison | 1.7 mi | 4.8 |
| BLESSED SACRAMENT SCHOOL Madison | 1.7 mi | 7.5 |
| ST MARIA GORETTI Madison | 1.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Shorewood Hills Elementary Madison | 2.3 mi | 9.4 |
| MONTESSORI CHILDRENS HOUSE Madison | 1.7 mi | — |
| Randall Elementary School Madison | 2.0 mi | 8.4 |
| LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Madison | 2.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Orchard Ridge Elementary Madison | 1.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Toki Middle Madison | 1.9 mi | 7.0 |
| HORIZON HIGH Madison | 2.4 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 53711 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$101,236
Median Home Value
$387,600
Median Rent
$1,357/mo
Population
50,474
College Educated
66%
Homeownership
62%
Avg Commute
19.3 min
Poverty Rate
7.9%
Median Age
38.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Allenton Elementary Allenton, WI | 8.3 |
| Auburndale Elementary Auburndale, WI | 8.3 |
| Brooklyn Elementary Brooklyn, WI | 8.3 |
| Caddie Woodlawn Elementary Durand, WI | 8.3 |
| Clarendon Avenue Elementary Mukwonago, WI | 8.3 |
| Clintonville Elementary School Clintonville, WI | 8.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Thoreau Elementary
What grades does Thoreau Elementary serve?
Thoreau Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Thoreau Elementary?
Thoreau Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 398 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Thoreau Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Thoreau Elementary is 11.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Thoreau Elementary rank in WI?
Thoreau Elementary ranks #302 of 2,105 schools in WI.
What is Thoreau Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Thoreau Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 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 Thoreau Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Thoreau Elementary has 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Thoreau Elementary a charter school?
No, Thoreau Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Thoreau Elementary a Title I school?
No, Thoreau Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thoreau Elementary?
35.4% of students at Thoreau Elementary 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
- 398
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 35.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Dane County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 32.7%
- Phone
- (608) 204-6940
Resources & Links
District
Madison Metropolitan School District- District Enrollment
- 25,247
- Schools in District
- 54
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,411
- District Rank
- #7 of 52
Other Schools in This District
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