State Report Card Data Indicate Overall Score Increases for Several MMSD Schools

Today, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) issued “report cards” for K–12 schools and districts across the state, using data from the 2023–2024 school year. Results for the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) held steady from the prior year, with the district earning an overall score of 66.8, translating to “Meets Expectations” (three stars).

“These results help us determine what’s working and what we need to adjust across all of our schools,” said Dr. Joe Gothard, MMSD’s superintendent. “Though the results are largely positive, we are committed to building this momentum and improving student outcomes.”

Per DPI’s scoring rubric, schools and districts are assigned ratings that span “Fails to Meet Expectations” (one star), “Meets Few Expectations” (two stars), “Meets Expectations” (three stars), “Exceeds Expectations” (four stars) and “Significantly Exceeds Expectations” (five stars). Scores are assessed based on data across four key priority areas: achievement, growth, target group outcomes and on-track to graduation. 

In the area of achievement, which summarizes performance on state assessments, MMSD students outperformed the state average in English language arts (59.7, compared to 58.3). In the area of growth, which measures year-to-year progress on statewide tests. MMSD students again outperformed state averages in both English language arts (79.3, compared to 66.0) and mathematics (69.8, compared to 66.0). 

For the second consecutive year, MMSD high school students also successfully completed at least one Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate course at a higher rate than their statewide peers (31.9% vs. 21.1% for the state), and participated in art & design (29.9% vs. 29.1%), dance (1.4% vs. 0.5%) and theater (3.7% vs. 2.2%) offerings at a greater rate as well.

Notably, Marquette, Randall, Shorewood Hills and Van Hise elementary schools all received scores of “Significantly Exceeds Expectations” (five stars), and each of MMSD’s four comprehensive high schools achieved scores of “Exceeds Expectations” (four stars). 

Capital High, one of the district’s alternative high schools, realized an increase of 36.8 percentage points over last year’s score. Six schools improved their rating (Dr. Virginia Henderson, Lake View, and Lapham elementary schools, Georgia O’Keeffe and Akira R. Toki middle schools and Capital High) and 45 schools realized a rating of three stars or higher (inclusive of several with a rating of “Alternate Rating - Satisfactory Progress”).

“We can’t do this work alone,” Gothard said. “Increasing scores is a team effort that includes our principals, our educators, our support staff, and perhaps most significantly, our families, who we rely on to help our students succeed in the classroom.”

DPI releases report cards each fall, mandated by Wisconsin law, as part of its school accountability system. Full MMSD results can be found on the district’s website.

Dane County Districts – State Report Cards 2023-2024:
(use scrollbar to see additional table data)

Note: Data from DPI School & District Report Cards