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Very Good

#621 of 2,102 schools in WI

Top 30% in state

West High

High School · Madison Metropolitan School District

30 Ash St, Madison, WI 53726

Enrollment

2,137

Student-Teacher

16.6:1

Score

7.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Madison

#23 of 53

public schools

Wisconsin high schools

#64 of 499

In district

#23 of 52

Madison Metropolitan School District

Equity

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About West High

West High serves 2,137 students in grades 9-12 in Madison, Wisconsin, operating as a large comprehensive public high school with 129 full-time equivalent teachers and a student-teacher ratio of 16.6:1. The school currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and ranks #1758 out of 2112 Wisconsin high schools, placing it in the 17th percentile statewide, indicating significant room for academic growth and development. The school draws from a unique and diverse community in the 53726 area, where families face notable economic challenges despite high educational attainment levels.

The neighborhood presents an interesting demographic mix, with 92% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher—an exceptionally educated population—yet 35.4% live below the poverty line. This contrast of high education levels alongside economic hardship creates a distinctive community dynamic, with median household income at $44,911 and median home values reaching $586,600. As one of Madison's larger high schools, West High provides students with the resources and opportunities that come with scale, while serving families navigating the complexities of an economically diverse but highly educated urban environment in Wisconsin's capital city.

What Parents Should Know

West High is a large school with 2,137 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.0Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.25 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendStable
Academics9.2Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency49%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62%
Overall Proficiency56%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected+12.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile88th
College Readiness9.5Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation34.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,181

West High — Students at West High score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

28.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 48.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 63.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from WI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
47%
ELA
65%
2021*
Math
49%
ELA
62%

* 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: 4.0/10.

How West High Compares

See how West High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
71th percentile in WI
Academic
9.2/10
9.2/10
Growth
4.0/10
Below average
Environment
5.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
29%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
129 teachers

Location

30 Ash St, Madison, WI 53726

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Capital High (rated 6.9/10, 0.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, EDGEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL OF THE SACRED HEART (rated 6.3/10, 0.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Madison, see our Madison schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
BLESSED SACRAMENT SCHOOL Madison 0.3 mi 7.5
Randall Elementary School Madison 0.5 mi 6.8
EDGEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL OF THE SACRED HEART Madison 0.7 mi 6.3
EDGEWOOD CAMPUS SCHOOL Madison 0.8 mi 6.0
Capital High Madison 0.6 mi 6.9
WINGRA SCHOOL Madison 1.0 mi 7.8
Shorewood Hills Elementary Madison 1.1 mi 8.0
OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE SCHOOL Madison 1.1 mi 6.0
ST JAMES SCHOOL Madison 1.1 mi 8.4
Midvale Elementary Madison 1.4 mi 7.5
Thoreau Elementary Madison 1.8 mi 7.5
Van Hise Elementary Madison 1.6 mi 6.1
4K PK Off Site Madison 1.6 mi 7.4
Hamilton Middle Madison 1.6 mi 7.4
James Wright Middle Madison 1.9 mi 6.1
Cherokee Heights Middle Madison 2.2 mi 6.8
Lincoln Elementary Madison 2.4 mi 6.6
HORIZON HIGH Madison 2.1 mi
Franklin Elementary Madison 2.2 mi 6.5
Leopold Elementary Madison 2.9 mi 5.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 53726 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$39,779

Median Home Value

$600,500

Median Rent

$1,408/mo

Population

5,043

College Educated

91.8%

Homeownership

35.2%

Poverty Rate

33.5%

Median Age

23.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding West High has a median household income of $39,779. It is a well-educated community where 92% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $600,500, with a median rent of $1,408/month. The area has a poverty rate of 33.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Lincoln High Manitowoc, WI 7.2
Oak Creek High Oak Creek, WI 7.2
Case High Racine, WI 7.3
Superior High Superior, WI 7.1
Muskego High Muskego, WI 7.0
North High Eau Claire, WI 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West High

What grades does West High serve?

West High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend West High?

West High has an enrollment of approximately 2,137 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at West High?

The student-teacher ratio at West High is 16.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West High rank in WI?

West High is ranked #621 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is West High's MySchoolScout rating?

West High has a composite rating of 7.2 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 West High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, West High has 48.0% math proficiency and 63.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is West High a charter school?

No, West High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is West High a Title I school?

No, West High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West High?

28.7% of students at West High 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
81 Very Walkable
Transit Score
56 Good Transit
Bike Score
90 Biker’s Paradise
City Safety
High (2,124/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Madison). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,137
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
129
Free/Reduced Lunch
28.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Dane County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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