Madison Metropolitan School District operates 54 schools (grades PK–12). Individual school names, addresses, and attendance zone boundaries are available directly from the district.
| Metric | Madison Metropolitan School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 27,000 | 3,700 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 54 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $17,000/yr | $13,700/yr | ≈ Near avg |
| District Type | Urban | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 7/10 — Good | — | Above average |
About Madison Metropolitan School District
Zip code 53705 in Madison, Wisconsin is served by Madison Metropolitan School District for public school enrollment. The district covers grades Pre-K – 12th. This page provides a data-driven overview of Madison Metropolitan School District’s funding levels, size, rating, and what families should know before enrolling or making a housing decision in this area.
Funding and Resources
According to NCES 2024–2025, Madison Metropolitan School District spends approximately $17,000 per student per year, placing it 26% above the Wisconsin state average of approximately $13,500 and above the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Above-average spending generally translates to more instructional resources per student, stronger program variety at the middle and high school levels, and better-maintained facilities. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
At 54 schools serving grades Pre-K – 12th, Madison Metropolitan School District qualifies as a very large district serving students from Pre-K – 12th. The district enrolls approximately 27,000 students in total. Very large districts are complex systems with significant variation in school quality across attendance zones. They typically offer extensive programs — magnet schools, specialized high schools, dual-language tracks, advanced coursework — but navigating these options requires active engagement with the district.
Understanding the 7/10 Rating
With a rating of 7/10 (above average), Madison Metropolitan School District ranks among Wisconsin’s above average-rated school systems. Our ratings are built from NCES Common Core of Data and measure structural factors: per-pupil expenditure, student-teacher ratio, enrollment stability, and school count. They do not incorporate test scores or graduation rates, which are not consistently available across all 13,500+ US districts in the NCES dataset.
Madison Metropolitan School District earns an above-average rating, reflecting stronger-than-typical resource levels and stable enrollment trends for Wisconsin. Above-average districts generally offer solid program variety, adequate staffing, and a track record of organizational stability. Families considering this area will find a district with meaningful strengths. Research the specific schools assigned to your address — even above-average districts have variation between individual buildings.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 53705
Children in zip code 53705 are assigned to Madison Metropolitan School District for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K – 12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 53705, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Madison Metropolitan School District at (608)663-1879 or visit www.madison.k12.wi.us. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Wisconsin districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Madison
For families considering a purchase in the Madison area, district assignment matters financially. Because Madison Metropolitan School District serves zip code 53705, district assignment still factors into home-pricing comparisons between zip code 53705 and neighboring areas. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Wisconsin, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Madison Metropolitan School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 53705.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Madison Metropolitan School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 53705 data.