For the 2025 school year, there are 33 public preschools serving 12,087 students in Madison, WI.
The top ranked public preschools in Madison, WI are Shorewood Hills Elementary School, Winnequah School and Forest Edge Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Madison, WI public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 37% (versus the Wisconsin public pre school average of 42%), and reading proficiency score of 37% (versus the 37% statewide average). Pre schools in Madison have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Wisconsin public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 58% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Wisconsin public preschool average of 38% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Best Public Preschools in Madison, WI (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Shorewood Hills Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
1105 Shorewood Blvd
Madison, WI 53705
(608) 204-1200
Madison, WI 53705
(608) 204-1200
Gr: PK-5 | 382 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #22.
Winnequah School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
800 Greenway Rd
Madison, WI 53716
(608) 221-7677
Madison, WI 53716
(608) 221-7677
Gr: PK-5 | 642 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #33.
Forest Edge Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4848 Brassica Rd
Madison, WI 53711
(608) 835-4600
Madison, WI 53711
(608) 835-4600
Gr: PK-6 | 401 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Crestwood Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
5930 Old Sauk Rd
Madison, WI 53705
(608) 204-1120
Madison, WI 53705
(608) 204-1120
Gr: PK-5 | 287 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Stephens Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
120 S Rosa Rd
Madison, WI 53705
(608) 204-1900
Madison, WI 53705
(608) 204-1900
Gr: PK-5 | 482 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #66.
Lowell Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
401 Maple Ave
Madison, WI 53704
(608) 204-6600
Madison, WI 53704
(608) 204-6600
Gr: PK-5 | 335 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Elvehjem Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
5106 Academy Dr
Madison, WI 53716
(608) 204-1400
Madison, WI 53716
(608) 204-1400
Gr: PK-5 | 403 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Thoreau Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3870 Nakoma Rd
Madison, WI 53711
(608) 204-6940
Madison, WI 53711
(608) 204-6940
Gr: PK-5 | 398 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #99.
Cesar Chavez Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3502 Maple Grove Dr
Madison, WI 53719
(608) 442-2000
Madison, WI 53719
(608) 442-2000
Gr: PK-5 | 652 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #1010.
Muir Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
6602 Inner Dr
Madison, WI 53705
(608) 663-8170
Madison, WI 53705
(608) 663-8170
Gr: PK-5 | 418 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #1111.
Emerson Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2421 E Johnson St
Madison, WI 53704
(608) 204-2000
Madison, WI 53704
(608) 204-2000
Gr: PK-5 | 317 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #1212.
Huegel Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2601 Prairie Rd
Madison, WI 53711
(608) 204-3100
Madison, WI 53711
(608) 204-3100
Gr: PK-5 | 422 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #1313.
Isthmus Montessori Academy Public
Charter School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1802 Pankratz St
Madison, WI 53704
(608) 661-8200
Madison, WI 53704
(608) 661-8200
Gr: PK-12 | 220 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #1414.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
909 Sequoia Trl
Madison, WI 53713
(608) 204-4900
Madison, WI 53713
(608) 204-4900
Gr: PK-5 | 385 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Gompers Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1502 Wyoming Way
Madison, WI 53704
(608) 204-4520
Madison, WI 53704
(608) 204-4520
Gr: PK-5 | 220 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Orchard Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
5602 Russett Rd
Madison, WI 53711
(608) 204-2320
Madison, WI 53711
(608) 204-2320
Gr: PK-5 | 247 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #1717.
Milele Chikasa Anana Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
6323 Woodington Way
Madison, WI 53711
(608) 204-2180
Madison, WI 53711
(608) 204-2180
Gr: PK-5 | 454 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #1818.
Kennedy Elementary School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
221 Meadowlark Dr
Madison, WI 53714
(608) 204-3420
Madison, WI 53714
(608) 204-3420
Gr: PK-5 | 579 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #1919.
Dr Virginia Henderson Elementary School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1201 Tompkins Dr
Madison, WI 53716
(608) 204-2400
Madison, WI 53716
(608) 204-2400
Gr: PK-5 | 463 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #2020.
Hawthorne Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
3344 Concord Ave
Madison, WI 53714
(608) 204-2500
Madison, WI 53714
(608) 204-2500
Gr: PK-5 | 321 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #2121.
Schenk Elementary School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
230 Schenk St
Madison, WI 53714
(608) 204-1500
Madison, WI 53714
(608) 204-1500
Gr: PK-5 | 444 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #2222.
Sandburg Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
4114 Donald Dr
Madison, WI 53704
(608) 204-7940
Madison, WI 53704
(608) 204-7940
Gr: PK-5 | 411 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #2323.
Leopold Elementary School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2602 Post Rd
Madison, WI 53713
(608) 204-4240
Madison, WI 53713
(608) 204-4240
Gr: PK-5 | 623 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #2424.
Mendota Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
4002 School Rd
Madison, WI 53704
(608) 204-7840
Madison, WI 53704
(608) 204-7840
Gr: PK-5 | 280 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #2525.
Lindbergh Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
4500 Kennedy Rd
Madison, WI 53704
(608) 204-6500
Madison, WI 53704
(608) 204-6500
Gr: PK-5 | 170 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #2626.
Southside Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
501 E Badger Rd
Madison, WI 53713
(608) 204-1056
Madison, WI 53713
(608) 204-1056
Gr: PK-5 | 357 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #2727.
One City Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1707 W Broadway
Madison, WI 53713
(608) 531-2128
Madison, WI 53713
(608) 531-2128
Gr: PK-5 | 283 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: n/an/a
545 W Dayton St
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 204-6561
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 204-6561
Gr: PK | 594 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: n/an/a
Central Wisconsin Center
Alternative School
317 Knutson Dr
Madison, WI 53704
(608) 267-5150
Madison, WI 53704
(608) 267-5150
Gr: PK-12
Rank: n/an/a
305 W Lakeside St
Madison, WI 53715
(608) 204-2292
Madison, WI 53715
(608) 204-2292
Gr: PK-2 | 292 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: n/an/a
1045 E Dayton St
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 204-4140
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 204-4140
Gr: PK-2 | 211 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: n/an/a
Mendota Mental Health Institution
Alternative School
301 Troy Dr
Madison, WI 53704
(608) 267-5150
Madison, WI 53704
(608) 267-5150
Gr: PK-12 | 22 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: n/an/a
502 Caromar Dr
Madison, WI 53711
(608) 204-6700
Madison, WI 53711
(608) 204-6700
Gr: PK-2 | 372 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Madison, Wisconsin 51±¬ÁÏs (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Accelerated Learning Academy High School (Closed 2004)
Alternative School
15 S Brearly St
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 663-1907
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 663-1907
Gr: 9-10 | 42 students Minority enrollment: 43%
Dane County Transition School (Closed 2005)
Alternative School
2326 S Park St
Madison, WI 53713
(608) 834-8253
Madison, WI 53713
(608) 834-8253
Gr: 9-12 | 9 students Minority enrollment: 11%
Diploma Completion High School (Closed 2015)
Alternative School
545 W Dayton St
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 663-1907
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 663-1907
Gr: 11-12 | 42 students Minority enrollment: 74%
902 Nichols Rd
Madison, WI 53716
(608) 221-7670
Madison, WI 53716
(608) 221-7670
Gr: PK-2 | 247 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Milestone Democratic School (Closed 2024)
Charter School
2758 Dairy Dr
Madison, WI 53718
(608) 205-8110
Madison, WI 53718
(608) 205-8110
Gr: 6-12 | 84 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Monona Grove Alternative High School (Closed 2011)
Alternative School
5104 Gordon Ave
Madison, WI 53716
(608) 223-1895
Madison, WI 53716
(608) 223-1895
Gr: 10-12
Sapar Program High School (Closed 2013)
Alternative School
1501 Jenifer St
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 204-4235
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 204-4235
Gr: 7-12 | 11 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Work & Learning High School (Closed 2013)
Alternative School
545 West Dayton St
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 204-4235
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 204-4235
Gr: 11-12 | 101 students Minority enrollment: 75%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public preschools in Madison, WI?
The top ranked public preschools in Madison, WI include Shorewood Hills Elementary School, Winnequah School and Forest Edge Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Madison?
33 public preschools are located in Madison.
What is the racial composition of students in Madison?
Madison public preschools minority enrollment is 58% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Wisconsin public preschools average of 38% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Which public preschools in Madison are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Madison include: Lincoln Elementary School vs. Leopold Elementary School, Gompers Elementary School vs. Hawthorne Elementary School, Hawthorne Elementary School vs. Gompers Elementary School
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