Original Research by School Decision on Shabazz-city High
Shabazz-City High is a small alternative high school in Madison, Wisconsin, serving grades nine through twelve. It operates as a standalone school within the Madison Metropolitan School District. The school is not a charter, and its magnet and Title I status were not available in the data reviewed.
The academic metrics most parents look for are absent here. State testing data for math, English language arts, science, and social studies is suppressed across all grade levels. Because the school serves only high school grades, no elementary or middle school assessments apply, but the suppression of high school testing results likely reflects the school’s classification as an alternative school and its small enrollment—small groups often have data withheld to protect student privacy. The graduation rate was not reported in the data available, and the chronic absenteeism rate was also missing. A comparison against other schools in Dane County was attempted but could not be completed because these key outcome measures were unavailable. A parent considering this school would want to ask the school directly about its academic performance, graduation rates, and postsecondary outcomes, as those figures are not provided in the public data we examined.
Enrollment at Shabazz-City High is modest, with just over a hundred students spread across all four high school grades, with the largest group in twelfth grade. The student body is majority white, with Hispanic students the next largest group, followed by students who identify with two or more races, Black students, and small numbers of Asian and American Indian or Alaska Native students. About two out of every five students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a common measure of economic need. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available.
The school’s location is at 1601 N Sherman Ave on the north side of Madison. Madison itself is a mid-sized state capital and university city with a mixed economy anchored by the University of Wisconsin–Madison, state government, healthcare, and technology. Downtown is highly walkable, with the Capitol Square and State Street pedestrian mall connecting the university campus to government buildings. The city is known for its lakes, bike paths, and parks, and it has been the fastest-growing city in Wisconsin in recent years, driven by the education and tech sectors. Housing values and rents in the area are above national medians, reflecting strong demand in a growing metro region. For context, the median home value in the surrounding zip code is above the national figure, and rents are comparably high, with a monthly mortgage estimated to be larger than typical rent, a pattern common in many higher-cost housing markets.
As an alternative high school, Shabazz-City likely serves students who benefit from a non-traditional learning environment, but the public data does not provide details on the school’s specific program model, curriculum offerings, or support services. No information on course access, staffing ratios, or disciplinary practices was available.
A parent researching this school will find a very limited set of public metrics. The school’s size and alternative designation mean conventional state accountability measures are not published. The best next step would be to contact the school directly, review its website, and speak with current families and staff to understand the academic pathway and student experience it offers.
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