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
Enrollment
2,137
Student-Teacher
16.6:1
Score
7.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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West High — Students at West High score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
28.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WI EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 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: 4.0/10.
How West High Compares
See how West High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 47% (2019) to 49% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 65% (2019) to 62% (2021).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (608) 204-4100
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Madison Metropolitan School District- District Enrollment
- 25,247
- Schools in District
- 54
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,411
- District Rank
- #23 of 52
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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