For the 2026 school year, there are 71 public preschools serving 27,483 students in Dane County, WI.
The top-ranked public preschools in Dane County, WI are Shorewood Hills Elementary School, Elm Lawn Elementary School and Northside Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Dane County, WI public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 45% (versus the Wisconsin public pre school average of 42%), and reading proficiency score of 41% (versus the 36% statewide average). Pre schools in Dane County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of Wisconsin public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 43% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Wisconsin public preschool average of 39% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Best Public Preschools in Dane County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Shorewood Hills Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
1105 Shorewood Blvd
Madison, WI 53705
(608) 204-1200
Madison, WI 53705
(608) 204-1200
Gr: PK-5 | 368 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Elm Lawn Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
6701 Woodgate Rd
Middleton, WI 53562
(608) 829-9070
Middleton, WI 53562
(608) 829-9070
Gr: PK-4 | 313 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Northside Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
3620 High Rd
Middleton, WI 53562
(608) 829-9130
Middleton, WI 53562
(608) 829-9130
Gr: PK-4 | 307 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Pope Farm Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
816 Schewe Rd
Middleton, WI 53562
(608) 826-7700
Middleton, WI 53562
(608) 826-7700
Gr: PK-4 | 448 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Sunset Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
8686 Airport Rd
Middleton, WI 53562
(608) 829-9300
Middleton, WI 53562
(608) 829-9300
Gr: PK-4 | 309 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Arboretum Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1350 Arboretum Dr
Waunakee, WI 53597
(608) 849-1800
Waunakee, WI 53597
(608) 849-1800
Gr: PK-4 | 435 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Prairie View Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
300 Soden Dr
Oregon, WI 53575
(608) 835-4200
Oregon, WI 53575
(608) 835-4200
Gr: PK-4 | 330 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #88.
West Middleton Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
7627 W Mineral Point Rd
Verona, WI 53593
(608) 829-9360
Verona, WI 53593
(608) 829-9360
Gr: PK-4 | 334 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #99.
Winnequah School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
800 Greenway Rd
Madison, WI 53716
(608) 221-7677
Madison, WI 53716
(608) 221-7677
Gr: PK-5 | 602 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #1010.
Eastside Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
661 Elizabeth Ln
Sun Prairie, WI 53590
(608) 834-7400
Sun Prairie, WI 53590
(608) 834-7400
Gr: PK-5 | 408 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #1111.
Horizon Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
625 N Heatherstone Dr
Sun Prairie, WI 53590
(608) 834-7900
Sun Prairie, WI 53590
(608) 834-7900
Gr: PK-5 | 345 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #1212.
Token Springs Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1435 N Thompson Rd
Sun Prairie, WI 53590
(608) 834-6500
Sun Prairie, WI 53590
(608) 834-6500
Gr: PK-5 | 472 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1313.
Netherwood Knoll Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
276 Soden Dr
Oregon, WI 53575
(608) 835-4100
Oregon, WI 53575
(608) 835-4100
Gr: PK-4 | 419 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #1414.
Park Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1209 Park St
Cross Plains, WI 53528
(608) 829-9250
Cross Plains, WI 53528
(608) 829-9250
Gr: PK-4 | 245 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #1515.
Royal Oaks Elementary School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2215 Pennsylvania Ave
Sun Prairie, WI 53590
(608) 834-7200
Sun Prairie, WI 53590
(608) 834-7200
Gr: PK-5 | 433 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #1616.
Forest Edge Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4848 Brassica Rd
Madison, WI 53711
(608) 835-4600
Madison, WI 53711
(608) 835-4600
Gr: PK-6 | 446 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #1717.
Waunakee Heritage Elementary School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
6271 Woodland Drive
Waunakee, WI 53597
(608) 849-2030
Waunakee, WI 53597
(608) 849-2030
Gr: PK-4 | 537 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #1818.
Olson Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
801 Redan Dr
Verona, WI 53593
(608) 442-2600
Verona, WI 53593
(608) 442-2600
Gr: PK-5 | 462 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #1919.
Belleville Elementary School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
101 S Grant St
Belleville, WI 53508
(608) 835-6120
Belleville, WI 53508
(608) 835-6120
Gr: PK-6 | 550 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #2020.
Deerfield Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
340 W Quarry St
Deerfield, WI 53531
(608) 764-5442
Deerfield, WI 53531
(608) 764-5442
Gr: PK-6 | 409 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #21 - 2221. - 22.
Crestwood Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
5930 Old Sauk Rd
Madison, WI 53705
(608) 204-1120
Madison, WI 53705
(608) 204-1120
Gr: PK-5 | 293 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #21 - 2221. - 22.
Stephens Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
120 S Rosa Rd
Madison, WI 53705
(608) 204-1900
Madison, WI 53705
(608) 204-1900
Gr: PK-5 | 447 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #2323.
Lowell Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
401 Maple Ave
Madison, WI 53704
(608) 204-6600
Madison, WI 53704
(608) 204-6600
Gr: PK-5 | 329 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #24 - 2524. - 25.
Elvehjem Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
5106 Academy Dr
Madison, WI 53716
(608) 204-1400
Madison, WI 53716
(608) 204-1400
Gr: PK-5 | 415 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #24 - 2524. - 25.
Thoreau Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3870 Nakoma Rd
Madison, WI 53711
(608) 204-6940
Madison, WI 53711
(608) 204-6940
Gr: PK-5 | 403 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #26 - 2726. - 27.
Meadow View Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
200 N Grand Ave
Sun Prairie, WI 53590
(608) 834-6624
Sun Prairie, WI 53590
(608) 834-6624
Gr: PK-5 | 401 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #26 - 2726. - 27.
Sauk Trail Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2205 Branch St
Middleton, WI 53562
(608) 829-9190
Middleton, WI 53562
(608) 829-9190
Gr: PK-4 | 360 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #2828.
Cesar Chavez Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3502 Maple Grove Dr
Madison, WI 53719
(608) 442-2000
Madison, WI 53719
(608) 442-2000
Gr: PK-5 | 631 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #29 - 3029. - 30.
Cambridge Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
802 W Water St
Cambridge, WI 53523
(608) 423-9727
Cambridge, WI 53523
(608) 423-9727
Gr: PK-5 | 399 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #29 - 3029. - 30.
Muir Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
6602 Inner Dr
Madison, WI 53705
(608) 663-8170
Madison, WI 53705
(608) 663-8170
Gr: PK-5 | 377 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #3131.
Emerson Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2421 E Johnson St
Madison, WI 53704
(608) 204-2000
Madison, WI 53704
(608) 204-2000
Gr: PK-5 | 297 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #3232.
Huegel Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2601 Prairie Rd
Madison, WI 53711
(608) 204-3100
Madison, WI 53711
(608) 204-3100
Gr: PK-5 | 417 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #3333.
Creekside Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1251 O'keeffe Ave
Sun Prairie, WI 53590
(608) 834-7700
Sun Prairie, WI 53590
(608) 834-7700
Gr: PK-5 | 394 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #3434.
Isthmus Montessori Academy Public
Charter School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1802 Pankratz St
Madison, WI 53704
(608) 661-8200
Madison, WI 53704
(608) 661-8200
Gr: PK-12 | 210 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #3535.
Marshall Elementary School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
617 Madison St
Marshall, WI 53559
(608) 655-4403
Marshall, WI 53559
(608) 655-4403
Gr: PK-6 | 246 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Show 36 more public schools in Dane County, WI (out of 71 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public preschools in Dane County, WI?
The top-ranked public preschools in Dane County, WI include Shorewood Hills Elementary School, Elm Lawn Elementary School and Northside Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Dane County?
76 public preschools are located in Dane County.
What is the racial composition of students in Dane County?
Dane County public preschools minority enrollment is 43% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Wisconsin public preschools average of 39% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Which public preschools in Dane County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Dane County include: Netherwood Knoll Elementary School vs. Prairie View Elementary School, Prairie View Elementary School vs. Netherwood Knoll Elementary School, Verona Area K4 vs. Olson Elementary School
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