Original Research by School Decision on Madison Senior High School
Madison Senior High School serves a small student body in a working-class, formerly industrial city along the Mississippi River in southwestern Illinois. The school enrolls roughly a small number of students across its four grades, with ninth grade slightly larger and senior year smaller, which is typical of high school progression patterns in small districts.
The student body is predominantly Black, with a very small representation of other racial groups. The demographic composition reflects the city of Madison itself, an aging community shaped by long-term industrial decline. The school's free-or-reduced-price lunch status was not reported, so a reader cannot determine the economic profile of enrolled families from the available data.
State testing data and proficiency results for Madison Senior High were not available, so no direct measure of academic achievement is visible here. Graduation rate data was also absent. These are standard metrics for high schools statewide, and their absence in this case likely reflects data reporting lags or the school's status within a very small district rather than a gap in how the school operates. A parent interested in academic outcomes and college-readiness pathways may want to contact the school or the parent district, Madison CUSD 12, directly for details on course offerings, exam performance, and postgraduation placement.
The school sits at 600 Farrish Street in Madison, a compact city of roughly 14 square miles whose character is shaped by interstate highways, active rail lines, and the Mississippi River floodplain. Madison's economy has shifted away from its railcar and refinery base toward logistics, motorsports, and regional employment in nearby areas. Housing values in the zip code are very low relative to both state and national benchmarks, reflecting the city's long population decline and aging housing stock. Rental housing is more affordable than ownership, and both are accessible on modest household incomes. The broader Madison County region includes larger employment centers such as Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and a major Amazon fulfillment operation, though Madison's own job base is limited.
No recent district-wide changes in curriculum, governance, or tax policy were identified through available sources, so the district's strategic direction and parent-facing initiatives remain unclear from the data. A parent considering this school might benefit from direct conversation with administrators about academic supports, program breadth, and the district's plans for the high school.
The small enrollment size means tighter peer groups and fewer elective or career-pathway options than larger schools, but also closer relationships between staff and students. The school's location in a city with constrained economic conditions and slow growth makes it a place where family stability and community connection are likely important factors in the school experience.
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