When asked what criteria to use when choosing a private school, people have different answers. Academic achievement, college acceptance rates, religious values, student population, and the value of investment relative to tuition. I always start with the data. Making decisions based on intuition or rumors is not my way.

I focused on analyzing two practically viable options among Madison's private high schools. Choosing a private high school is a significant financial decision, so it's essential to look at the data first. The average tuition for private high schools in the Madison area is around $11,232, which is higher than the overall average of $7,545 for private schools in Wisconsin. This means expectations and verification must be thorough.

The first option is Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart. It ranks at the top of Madison's private high school rankings.

Founded and operated by the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, it is a Catholic school with 618 students currently enrolled. The student-to-teacher ratio is 16 to 1. The most impressive statistic is that 97% of graduates go on to four-year colleges. Tuition is $14,925 per year, which includes the cost of textbooks and student Chromebooks. According to the school, the actual cost of education per student is close to $18,000, with the remaining difference covered by foundation grants and donations. It ranks second among Madison's private high schools on Niche, with a user rating of 4.2, and is in the top 20% of private schools in Wisconsin.

A tuition of $14,925 is indeed not insignificant. However, looking at it from another angle changes the story. If students are well-prepared in high school and receive college scholarships or attend more competitive colleges, it can be economically beneficial in the long run. The 97% college acceptance rate is concrete evidence that this school's college preparation system is genuinely effective.

Since Edgewood is a Catholic-based school, religious education is included in the curriculum. For Catholic families, this aligns naturally with their values and educational direction, but families seeking other religious or secular education should consider this point thoroughly in advance. I strongly recommend checking the actual atmosphere during school tours or open houses.

The second option is Wisconsin Lutheran Academy, a small school with 220 students. The key feature is a student-to-teacher ratio of 6 to 1. This structure, where one teacher is responsible for six students, creates an environment conducive to personalized education.

This is a figure that is hard to expect in large public schools. The overall rating on Niche is an A. As a Lutheran-based school, it is often chosen by families seeking a Christian faith-based educational environment. Due to its small size, the range of clubs and sports teams may be more limited compared to larger schools.

However, the close-knit atmosphere of the school community and the close relationships between teachers and students are unique advantages of small schools. It can provide a better environment for students who might get lost in a large school.

Both schools offer opportunities for open houses or campus tours. Numbers are just the starting point of a decision, not the endpoint. The final choice should always be made after visiting in person to assess the school atmosphere and the attitudes of the staff.

The Madison private high school market has limited options, making the process of finding a school that aligns with one's values particularly important.