The top reported proficiency rate is 84% in Social studies. The lowest is 70% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on West Middleton Elementary
West Middleton Elementary serves prekindergarten through fourth grade as a regular public school within the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District. Despite the name, the school sits in Verona, a fast-growing city just southwest of Madison, and its address places it on Mineral Point Road near the western edge of the district. The school draws its students from the surrounding neighborhoods and feeds into district middle schools after fourth grade.
On state assessments taken in third and fourth grade, West Middleton Elementary students perform at a consistently high level. In mathematics, the share of students reaching proficiency sits well above the state average in both tested grades, with fourth graders posting particularly strong results. The same pattern holds for English language arts, where proficiency rates are solidly above the statewide typical mark, and fourth graders again show a stronger showing than third graders. Fourth graders also take science and social studies assessments; in both subjects, a large majority of students test as proficient. Across all tested subjects and grades, the school’s overall proficiency index places it in the top quartile relative to other districts in Dane County. That is a clear academic strength.
The student body is predominantly white, with a smaller but noticeable share of students who are Black, Hispanic, Asian, or of two or more races. About one in six students qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, a share that is well below the typical rate in Dane County schools. Data on students with disabilities and English learners were not available for this report, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about those supports. Because the school serves only early elementary grades, there is no graduation rate to report, and the comparison data on chronic absenteeism is also absent for the same reason.
The housing market in Verona is expensive. Home values are decidedly above the national median, and rents are elevated as well, reflecting the area’s strong economic profile. A typical rent is several hundred dollars below a mortgage payment on a median-priced home, suggesting that buying is more costly than renting, but both are high relative to much of the state. The broader affordability picture means families moving into the area should expect a competitive housing environment.
Verona’s growth over the past decade has been driven by the presence of Epic Systems Corporation, a major healthcare software company headquartered in the city. That employer draws a high-income workforce, which in turn shapes the community’s demographic and economic character. The city has a traditional Main Street corridor, a network of recreational trails, and a public library with views of Badger Prairie Park. It retains a small-town identity despite rapid expansion, and its schools reflect the professional and educational expectations of the population.
The Middleton-Cross Plains district has not had any major recent changes that were publicly reported, so families can expect stable operations. The school itself does not appear to offer specialized programs beyond the standard elementary curriculum; no information on course access, magnet themes, or Title I status was available in the data.
West Middleton Elementary fits a family seeking a high-performing early elementary school in an affluent, growing suburban community. Academic results are strong across the board, and the school serves a population with relatively low economic disadvantage. Families should verify support services for special education and English language learners directly with the school, as those data were not reported. For anyone considering living in Verona or the western edge of the Middleton-Cross Plains district, this school represents a well-regarded entry point into a district with a track record of high outcomes.
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