SCHOOLS
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
- Elementary Schools: kindergarten through 5th grade
- Middle Schools: 6th, 7th, and 8th grades
- Senior High Schools: 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th grades
Wisconsin state law requires that all children between the ages of 6 and 18 attend school. Your child is eligible to enroll in the Madison Metropolitan School District if he/she is five years old on or before September 1 for entrance into kindergarten. Children who are six years old on or before September 1 can begin first grade. Most Madison children begin at the age of 5, in the public school kindergarten. Public schools are free to all children, except for a small fee, which parents pay to cover the cost of books and supplies. If you have school age children, the Madison Metropolitan School District Registrar's office (266 6261) will tell you which school they will attend. Telephone that school and make an appointment to register the children. Take their passports, health records (immunizations, record of communicable diseases, etc.), and school records when you register them. Madison Metropolitan School district provides bus service for children in elementary school who live more than 1.5 miles from their school. The Madison school district also has arrangements for children with special needs or disabilities. Private Schools and Parochial Schools are listed in the Yellow Pages.
Identification of small children: All children should know their home addresses and telephone numbers when they start school. Print this information on a card that you can pin to the clothing of a very small child. An older child who does not yet understand English may want to carry a card with address and phone numbers. All children should know their way to school and the way home.
Leaving Madison: When you leave Madison, notify the teacher of your expected date of departure. The school will give the children report cards and certificates of attendance.
Parent Teacher Organizations: Most schools have an organization which makes it possible for you to meet your children's teachers and the parents of classmates. You may visit your child's classroom and see some of the children's work. Your children will bring home written notice of meeting.