Introduction to the District

Welcome

Committed to educating every child through outstanding teachers using the best and most innovative of teaching practices, staffed and organized for student success, and in the midst of a diverse, supportive community, the Madison School District is truly a star in urban public education.

Academic Success

Academic rigor is the hallmark of Madison Schools and the results prove it.

• Madison students surpass their state peers in the percentage of students scoring in the highest performance category (Advanced) in 13 of 15 tests on basic skills in reading, language arts, math, science and social studies at the 4th, 8th and 10th grade levels.
• 20% more Madison high school students take advanced courses as compared to the state average, and a significantly higher percentage (29%), compared to the state average, pass Advanced Placement (AP) exams, demonstrating college-level proficiency.
• The MMSD has more than seven times the National Merit Scholar Semifinalists than a district its size would have on average.  Each year Madison has over 50 Semifinalists when a district Madison's size would typically have no more than seven, according to data from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
• MMSD students significantly outperform other students on the ACT college entrance exam - 13% higher than the U.S. average, and 7% higher than the Wisconsin average.  And a higher percentage of MMSD students take the ACT than the state average.

High school students can avail themselves to the Youth Options program, where students take classes for college and high school credit on the UW-Madison campus or at Madison College.

Organized for Success

The combination of great teachers, engaged students, small class sizes, bountiful student activities, community involvement and support, innovations, efficient operations, connected recreation, and additional funding sources all combine into a recipe for success.

Great Teachers - Getting Better

Key to this success is an experienced, dedicated teaching staff.  Hundreds have received awards and many are nationally recognized experts in their fields. 

• Over half of the District's teachers have at least one master's degree and nearly 60% have more than 10 years of classroom experience.

The dedicated teaching staff benefit from comprehensive and collaborative supports and professional development opportunities that bring staff teams together to problem-solve around student achievement. 

Engaged Students = Safe Schools

Madison Schools make engaged students a priority.  Whether it's academics, extra-curriculars or both, a student engaged in school will attend classes and will learn.

• At 95.8%, MMSD's average daily attendance rate is higher than the Wisconsin average - 94.4% - and the habitual truancy rate is below the state average.

Engaged students, a firm policy related to disruptive behavior, and a broad range of alternative programs  supporting at-risk learners all contribute to keeping schools safe. 

The Madison Metropolitan School District is a tremendous partner in our shared goal of providing a safe and nurturing environment for our young people, so they can learn, grow, and excel. Our officers are in the schools, and see firsthand the successful child by child approach to learning, and I think citizens would also be impressed with how their tax dollars are being spent to educate our young people. Noble Wray, Chief, Madison Police Department

Small Classes

Madison Schools have smaller than average class sizes.

• The student-to-licensed-staff ratio of 10.85 is superior to the state average of 12.86 students

Madison has embraced the state's SAGE (Student Achievement Guarantee in Education) program, reducing kindergarten through 3rd grade classes to 15 or fewer students for reading and math in 22 of 32 elementary schools. 

Research and evaluations show small class sizes benefit all students through steady academic improvement.

Student Activities Abound

Exciting learning opportunities - both in and out of school - abound.  Whether academic or not, in schools or elsewhere, after school or on weekends, performed before audiences or not, students can participate in a vast range of school or District-sponsored activities.

With teaching staff and a community that are committed to youth, and utilizing the offerings of a vibrant community of over 230,000 residents, students are able to enhance their overall development.

The District has Dane County's only planetarium.  It's used to explore the skies by Madison students, students from surrounding school districts and members of the public.

Community Support

At the heart of the Madison School District's success is community support.  Students benefit from thousands of volunteers involved in hundreds of partnerships across all schools.

• The last two referendums have passed overwhelmingly by the community.
  •     In 2008, a recurring referendum for operating expenses received 68% Yes votes.
  •     In 2006, a referendum for a new school and refinancing received 69% Yes votes.
• Madison invests more in its public schools than other Wisconsin communities, spending over $13,493 per student compared to the state average of $11,894 per student.
• Because of a strong relationship with community businesses, a higher percentage of graduated students with disabilities are employed compared to the state average.

Innovations

A thoughtful new Strategic Plan guides innovative initiatives that tackle emerging challenges.  The Plan is a useful tool as decisions are made that impact students and families.

Dual language immersion programs - where students from kindergarten on up become fluent in Spanish and English - are popular choices for families in four schools as of 2010-11, and five other schools will offer it by 2013.  

Efficiencies

• Madison's ratio of administrators-to-students is better than the state average:  MMSD: 1 administrator for every 272 students; Wisconsin average: 1 for every 253 students.
• Madison Schools is the fiscal agent for a four-school district consortium that shares human resources and financial management systems, allowing for a 58% savings in software expenses and saving Madison taxpayers nearly $110,000 per year.
• MMSD has an Aa1 bond rating from Moody's Investor Services, placing the District among a very small percentage of Wisconsin school districts in terms of its financial strength.

Recreation Connection

A unique strength is that Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR) - the community's full-service public recreation program for all community members - is a department in the MMSD. 

Because MSCR staff work closely with school staff, MSCR provides for youth and families seamless after-school programs that are better connected to the goals of the individual schools. 

Grants

• The MMSD actively pursues competitive grant funds and private charitable gifts to extend the margin of excellence for our students.  During the two most recent school years, the District was awarded nearly $11 million in competitive grants.

These grants fund a wide range of innovative programs: after-school programs, instructional technology, staff professional development and training, participation in a service-learning network of model schools, and many others.

A Foundation for Madison's Schools

The Foundation for Madison's Public Schools is an independent, non-profit organization that raises funds, awards grants and develops relationships to sustain and strengthen the excellence of Madison's public schools. 

Since 2000, the Foundation has awarded about $1 million in grants, many to District staff for creative and innovative projects outside the core budget.

Businesses and other organizations can Adopt-A-School through another Foundation program.

In a Great Community

Diversity

Diversity permeates the District and the city so that students are exposed to a wide range of cultures.

• There are 65 world languages spoken by over 4,000 students as their primary language at home.
• The student population racial-ethnic breakout: 50% White, 24% African-American, 15% Hispanic-American, 10% Asian-American, 1% Native American

A survey of MMSD graduates discovered this sentiment: "In college I've gotten to know many students with prep school backgrounds who have no experience with anyone outside of their own social group. I liked learning about other cultures and ways of seeing the world. That's a good thing to take with you to college, and I think it serves you well."

Environmental Focus

The Madison community takes prides in its environmental awareness and stewardship.

• By using energy-efficient technology when making needed upgrades, the District saves almost $500,000 annually - allowing more funding for the classroom.
• Eighteen of Madison's schools have been certified as Energy Star Buildings - meaning they are among the top 25% of most energy efficient buildings.  Olson Elementary School is one of the first LEED-certified schools in the state.

The District has been recognized by the US Environmental Protection Agency, Wisconsin's Focus on Energy, the Governor's office and others for its energy conservation efforts.

The District is nestled among two large lakes and other waterways providing numerous opportunities for students to learn from these living laboratories. The Madison School Forest boasts over 300 acres of natural biological diversity for students to enjoy rustic camping experiences, exploration and environmental learning through hands-on experience.

Schools Key to Madison's Top Rankings

• 100 Best Places to Raise a Family - Madison #2 - Children's Health Magazine, 2009

               Rankings based on factors that parents consider to be vitally important -- including education.

• What Parents Want Award - to Madison School District - SchoolMatch, Inc., 2009

            Award given to top 16% of public school systems for meeting the seven criteria most commonly cited by 95,000 parents.

• Best Places to Educate Your Child - Madison #2 - Forbes Magazine, 2007

            Ranking includes an A+ in public school support based on student-to-teacher ratios and instructional spending per student.

The Madison Metropolitan School District is staffed by professional educators who are deeply committed to successful learning for all children. Through our close partnerships, we are privileged to work alongside such gifted and inspiring colleagues, who are tireless when it comes to identifying the most effective ways to ensure student achievement.     Julie Underwood, Dean, School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Madison public schools are part of the economic engine that drives the Madison region. Our job growth and business vitality depend on a quality school system to provide tomorrow's workforce.  Madison Gas and Electric is proud of its long history of partnerships with Madison Schools and proud of the schools' contribution to the national recognition our community has received as a great place to live. Gary Wolter, President, Madison Gas & Electric

The Madison Metropolitan School District serves over 24,000 students in 48 schools, including 32 elementary schools (grades K-­5), 11 middle schools (6-8), four comprehensive high schools and one alternative high school. The District also has early childhood programs and alternative programs at the secondary level (6-12).

The District covers approximately 65 square miles including all or part of the cities of Madison and Fitchburg, the villages of Maple Bluff and Shorewood Hills, and the towns of Blooming Grove, Burke and Madison.

For general information about the schools and the school district, interested citizens are invited to call 608-663-1879 or send e-mail to comments@madison.k12.wi.us.