Skip to main content

Average

#990 of 2,105 schools in WI

Top 47% 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

6.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Wisconsin schools

#990 of 2,105

In Madison

#27 of 54

public schools

In district

#26 of 52

Madison Metropolitan School District

Academic growth

7.0 / 10

Very Good

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around West High?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

West High

6.7/10

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

Blessed Sacrament School

7.5/10

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

Randall Elementary School

8.4/10

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

About West High

West High is a public high school in Madison, WI, part of Madison Metropolitan School District. West High serves approximately 2,137 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 16.6:1 student-teacher ratio. West High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #990 of 2,105 schools in WI.

Structured state assessment records for West High show 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

How it compares1.0 pts above district
  • This school 6.7 · Average
  • District avg 5.7
  • WI avg 5.5

What Parents Should Know

West High is a large school: 2,137 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.

39% of students at West High 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 Progress7.0Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.52 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics7.0Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency49% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency62% (2021 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency56% (2021 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)55% (model expectation from 2021 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+0.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile56th
College Readiness8.4Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate91%
AP Participation34.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,411
Chronic Absenteeism38.7%

West High — Students at West High score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).

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 56.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 63.8% (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
75%
ELA
78%
2010
Math
78%
ELA
80%
2011
Math
55%
ELA
55%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
58%
2013
Math
53%
ELA
55%
2014
Math
55%
ELA
67%
2015
Math
54%
ELA
65%
2016
Math
55%
ELA
59%
2017
Math
51%
ELA
59%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
65%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
65%
2020*
Math
49%
ELA
62%
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: 7.0/10.

How West High Compares

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

Overall Score
6.7/10
53th percentile in WI
Academic
7.0/10
Very Good
Growth
7.0/10
Very Good
Environment
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.4
Sports
26
13 boys' · 13 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
29%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
129 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
38.7%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
34.4% participation·State avg: 2.4 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics26sports offered
13 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

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 8.0/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 8.4
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 8.0
WINGRA SCHOOL Madison 1.0 mi 7.8
Shorewood Hills Elementary Madison 1.1 mi 9.4
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 7.4
Thoreau Elementary Madison 1.8 mi 8.3
Van Hise Elementary Madison 1.6 mi 8.7
4K PK Off Site Madison 1.6 mi 5.5
Hamilton Middle Madison 1.6 mi 7.5
James Wright Middle Madison 1.9 mi 6.4
Cherokee Heights Middle Madison 2.2 mi 6.7
Lincoln Elementary Madison 2.4 mi 7.4
HORIZON HIGH Madison 2.1 mi
Franklin Elementary Madison 2.2 mi 6.1
Leopold Elementary Madison 2.9 mi 4.8

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Brookfield East High Brookfield, WI 6.6
Middleton High Middleton, WI 6.5
Franklin High Franklin, WI 6.4
Waunakee High Waunakee, WI 7.0
Arrowhead High Hartland, WI 6.3
Menomonee Falls High Menomonee Falls, WI 6.2

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 ranks #990 of 2,105 schools in WI.

What is West High's MySchoolScout rating?

West High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 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 West High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, West High has 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

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
53 Good Transit
Bike Score
90 Biker’s Paradise

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
38.7%
4-Year Graduation
91.0%

District

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

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.