Serving 129 students in grades 9-12, Capital High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Wisconsin for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is ≤20% (which is lower than the Wisconsin state average of 40%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is ≤20% (which is lower than the Wisconsin state average of 38%).
The student-teacher ratio of 9:1 is lower than the Wisconsin state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 86% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Wisconsin state average of 34% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Quick Facts (2026)
- School Type: Alternative school
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 129 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 9:1
- Minority Enrollment: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 70-74% (Btm 50% in WI)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: ≤20% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: ≤20% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: ≤20% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), WI Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Capital High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Wisconsin for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
Community Size
Student Attention
School Overview
Capital High School's student population of 129 students has declined by 20% over five school years.
The teacher population of 15 teachers has declined by 31% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
129 students
Total Classroom Teachers
15 teachers
School Rankings
Capital High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,962 schools in Wisconsin (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Capital High School is 0.72, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.54. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1713 out of 1962 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤20%
40%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤20%
38%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤20%
44%
Student-Teacher Ratio
9:1
13:1
Asian
5%
4%
Hispanic
21%
14%
Black
44%
9%
White
14%
66%
Two or more races
16%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
70-74%
90%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
84%
36%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
3%
4%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), WI Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Capital High School's ranking?
Capital High School is ranked #1713 out of 1,962 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Wisconsin.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
≤20% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 40% WI state average), while ≤20% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 38% WI state average).
What is the graduation rate of Capital High School?
The graduation rate of Capital High School is 70-74%, which is lower than the Wisconsin state average of 90%.
How many students attend Capital High School?
129 students attend Capital High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
44% of Capital High School students are Black, 21% of students are Hispanic, 16% of students are Two or more races, 14% of students are White, and 5% of students are Asian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Capital High School?
Capital High School has a student ration of 9:1, which is lower than the Wisconsin state average of 13:1.
What grades does Capital High School offer ?
Capital High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Capital High School part of?
Capital High School is part of Madison Metropolitan School District.
In what neighborhood is Capital High School located?
Capital High School is located in the Tenney Lapham neighborhood of Madison, WI. There are 3 other public schools located in Tenney Lapham.
School Reviews
Review Capital High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
When “Free Public School” Still Isn’t Free
Discover the hidden costs of public school in 2026, from supplies and fees to transportation, technology, and extracurricular expenses.
What a District Budget Cut Means for Your Child's School Experience
Learn how district budget cuts can affect class sizes, programs, staffing, transportation, and your child's daily school experience in 2026.
School Closure Risk: What Parents Should Check Before Moving
Learn how parents can assess school closure risk before buying or renting in a district, using enrollment, funding, and boundary data.
