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Average

#1168 of 2,105 schools in WI

Vel Phillips Memorial High School

High School · Madison Metropolitan School District

201 S Gammon Rd, Madison, WI 53717

Enrollment

2,005

Student-Teacher

16.8:1

Score

6.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Wisconsin schools

#1,168 of 2,105

In Madison

#34 of 54

public schools

In district

#33 of 52

Madison Metropolitan School District

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Vel Phillips Memorial High School

6.2/10

High School in Madison · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Ezekiel Gillespie Middle School

4.9/10

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

Muir Elementary

6.3/10

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

About Vel Phillips Memorial High School

Vel Phillips Memorial High School is a public high school in Madison, WI, part of Madison Metropolitan School District. Vel Phillips Memorial High School serves approximately 2,005 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 16.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Vel Phillips Memorial High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,168 of 2,105 schools in WI.

Structured state assessment records for Vel Phillips Memorial High School show 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

How it compares0.5 pts above district
  • This school 6.2 · Average
  • District avg 5.7
  • WI avg 5.5

What Parents Should Know

Vel Phillips Memorial High School is a large school: 2,005 students. Size usually brings more course choices and activities than a smaller school can staff, but kids can also blend into the crowd. Ask how the school keeps students known and supported.

51% of students at Vel Phillips Memorial High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.2Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.79 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics6.2Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency43% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency54% (2021 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency49% (2021 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)50% (model expectation from 2021 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-1.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile46th
College Readiness8.4Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate89%
AP Participation36.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.8Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,411
Chronic Absenteeism51%

Vel Phillips Memorial High School — Students at Vel Phillips Memorial High School score 48% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

37.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 54.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 57.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 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
77%
ELA
78%
2011
Math
52%
ELA
49%
2012
Math
56%
ELA
47%
2013
Math
51%
ELA
49%
2014
Math
57%
ELA
66%
2015
Math
54%
ELA
61%
2016
Math
57%
ELA
60%
2017
Math
53%
ELA
56%
2018
Math
45%
ELA
49%
2019
Math
45%
ELA
49%
2020*
Math
43%
ELA
54%
2021*
Math
43%
ELA
54%

* 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: 6.2/10.

How Vel Phillips Memorial High School Compares

See how Vel Phillips Memorial High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.2/10
45th percentile in WI
Academic
6.2/10
Average
Growth
6.2/10
Average
Environment
2.8/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.4
Sports
25
12 boys' · 13 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
37%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
119 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
51.0%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
36.6% participation·State avg: 2.4 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics25sports offered
12 boys'·13 girls'·49 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

201 S Gammon Rd, Madison, WI 53717

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Vel Phillips Memorial High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ST AMBROSE ACADEMY (rated 6.8/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Middleton High (rated 6.5/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Middleton), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Clark Street Community School (rated 5.5/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Middleton), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Madison, see our Madison schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Ezekiel Gillespie Middle School Madison 0.1 mi 4.9
Muir Elementary Madison 0.4 mi 6.3
MADINAH ACADEMY OF MADISON Madison 1.1 mi 8.5
ST AMBROSE ACADEMY Madison 1.0 mi 6.8
HIGH POINT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Madison 1.2 mi 7.3
Stephens Elementary Madison 1.1 mi 6.4
Crestwood Elementary Madison 1.3 mi 9.0
Elm Lawn Elementary Middleton 1.8 mi 9.1
Milele Chikasa Anana Elementary School Madison 1.7 mi 7.5
MONTESSORI CHILDRENS HOUSE Madison 1.6 mi
LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Madison 1.6 mi 7.4
Spring Harbor Middle Madison 1.9 mi 7.9
HICKORY HILL ACADEMY Madison 2.2 mi 8.6
HORIZON HIGH Madison 1.9 mi
Sauk Trail Elementary Middleton 2.5 mi 7.6
Middleton High Middleton 2.6 mi 6.5
Clark Street Community School Middleton 2.6 mi 5.5
KING'S KIDS ACADEMY Madison 2.4 mi
Orchard Ridge Elementary Madison 2.4 mi 7.5
Toki Middle Madison 2.4 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 53717 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$96,245

Median Home Value

$404,600

Median Rent

$1,385/mo

Population

13,026

College Educated

66%

Homeownership

53.8%

Avg Commute

17.7 min

Poverty Rate

9.4%

Median Age

39.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Menomonee Falls High Menomonee Falls, WI 6.2
Sun Prairie East High Sun Prairie, WI 6.2
Arrowhead High Hartland, WI 6.3
Franklin High Franklin, WI 6.4
Hamilton High Sussex, WI 6.0
Neenah High Neenah, WI 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Vel Phillips Memorial High School

What grades does Vel Phillips Memorial High School serve?

Vel Phillips Memorial High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Vel Phillips Memorial High School?

Vel Phillips Memorial High School has an enrollment of approximately 2,005 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Vel Phillips Memorial High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Vel Phillips Memorial High School is 16.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Vel Phillips Memorial High School rank in WI?

Vel Phillips Memorial High School ranks #1,168 of 2,105 schools in WI.

What is Vel Phillips Memorial High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Vel Phillips Memorial High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 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 Vel Phillips Memorial High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Vel Phillips Memorial High School has 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

Is Vel Phillips Memorial High School a charter school?

No, Vel Phillips Memorial High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Vel Phillips Memorial High School a Title I school?

No, Vel Phillips Memorial High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Vel Phillips Memorial High School?

37.2% of students at Vel Phillips Memorial High 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
52 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
42 Some Transit
Bike Score
55 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,005
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
119
Free/Reduced Lunch
37.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Dane County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
51.0%
4-Year Graduation
89.0%

District

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

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