The Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District (MCPASD) is proud to have been named the #1 Best School District in the Madison Area by Niche.com for the seventh consecutive year. MCPASD was also named the #3 Best School District in Wisconsin.
Several MCPASD schools earned top rankings including Middleton High School, which was ranked the #1 Best Public High School in the Madison Area, the #1 Best College Prep Public High School in Wisconsin, the #3 Best High School for STEM in Wisconsin, and the #5 Best Public High School in Wisconsin.
The Niche.com recognition follows Middleton High School’s recognition earlier this year as the #1 high school in the Madison Metro Area in the 2026-2027 U.S. News & World Report’s Best High Schools rankings. In addition, Middleton High School ranks first in Dane County and second in Wisconsin among public, non-charter schools for 2025 ACT composite scores.
At the middle school level, Niche.com ranked Kromrey Middle School the #4 Best Public Middle School in the Madison Area and Glacier Creek Middle School the #5 Best Public Middle School in the Madison Area.
All MCPASD elementary schools ranked highly including Pope Farm Elementary School, which was named the #1 Best Public Elementary School in the Madison Area and #9 Best Public Elementary School in Wisconsin. Rounding out the Best Public Elementary Schools in the Madison Area rankings were West Middleton Elementary School at #2, Elm Lawn Elementary School at #3, Park Elementary School at #5, Sunset Ridge Elementary School at #6, Northside Elementary School at #11, and Sauk Trail Elementary School at #22.
"We’re incredibly honored to earn these prestigious rankings District-wide,” said Superintendent Dr. Dana Monogue. “Our strong showing is thanks to our outstanding educators, students, and families as well as to our community’s support for public education. We’re proud of our tradition of excellence in academics, arts, athletics, and career and technical education. It’s rewarding to be recognized for supporting our students and staff in an environment where everyone feels empowered to grow into the best version of themselves.”