At a Glance
A large, highly sought-after screened high school with a 100% program richness score and competitive specialized programs in a transit-accessible Brooklyn neighborhood
Families seeking a large, academically rigorous screened high school with competitive specialized programs (Medical/Health Professions, Law Institute) and extensive extracurricular offerings. This school works well for students who thrive in larger environments with diverse peer groups, and for families who value strong parent-teacher trust and a school with zero suspensions. Commuters will benefit from excellent transit access, though families prioritizing top-tier neighborhood safety may want to explore other options.
- Zero suspensions — notably strong discipline record compared to district average of 0.47%
- Highly competitive specialized programs with Medical/Health Professions (2.1% offer rate) and Law Institute (5% offer rate)
- Exceptional program richness score of 100/100 with extensive arts, sports, STEM, language, and extracurricular offerings
- World language options include French, Italian, Mandarin, Russian, and Spanish
- Very high parent and teacher trust metrics (94% parent-principal trust, 90% teacher-principal trust)
- Large enrollment of 3,510 students provides diverse peer groups and extensive course offerings
- Strong teacher-reported instruction quality at 91%, above district average
- Selective admissions means admission is not guaranteed — applicants compete for limited seats in specialized programs
- Large school size (3,510 students) may feel overwhelming for some families preferring smaller settings
- Moderate neighborhood safety scores (46.36 percentile) warrant consideration for families prioritizing safety
- High economic need index (62.7%) indicates a significant portion of students face economic challenges
- PTA fundraising is low at $1 per student ($4,585 total) compared to district average of $56 per student
- No academic proficiency data provided, making it difficult to fully assess academic performance trends
- ELL Support exists but specific outcomes for English Language Learners are not detailed
Based on 2024-2025 data
School SummaryDistrict 22
James Madison High School stands out in District 22 as a flagship screened high school with highly competitive admissions. While peer schools in the district include several high-performing charter schools and elementary schools (Success Academy Charter Schools, P.S. 195 Manhattan Beach), Madison serves as one of the few comprehensive high school options with specialized programs. The school's 100% program richness score and strong survey metrics position it as a top choice among district high schools, though the selective nature of admissions means placement is not guaranteed.
While detailed state test scores are not provided, the school's academic reputation is evidenced by its highly competitive admissions process — the Medical/Health Professions program receives approximately 3,500 applicants for just 75 seats, yielding a 2.1% offer rate. The school offers AP Courses alongside specialized programs in Math and Science, with additional support for English Language Learners. The Law Institute program is also highly selective, drawing over 2,700 applicants for 133 seats.
The school demonstrates exceptionally strong trust and satisfaction metrics across the board. Parent satisfaction sits at 92%, exceeding the district average of 91.2%, and both parent-teacher trust and parent-principal trust are remarkably high at 94%. Teachers report strong collegial trust (90%) and trust in leadership (90%), with 91% rating instruction quality as good or very good — above the district average of 89.8%. Most notably, the school recorded zero suspensions in the most recent reporting period, compared to a district average suspension rate of 0.47%. The family survey response rate of 34% (1,309 responses) suggests meaningful parent engagement with the survey process.
The student body reflects a notably diverse population with a diversity index of 73%. The demographics skew predominantly White (47%), followed by Asian (22%), Hispanic (17%), and Black (12%) students. This composition differs somewhat from the neighborhood's demographics but aligns with the school's selective admissions process. With 62.7% economic need index and 15% IEP students, the school serves a substantial population of students with higher needs while maintaining strong academic programming.
The Madison neighborhood in Brooklyn offers strong transit access (82.38 percentile) and moderate family density (65.13 percentile), making it practical for commuters. The area has an education orientation score of 75.1, indicating a family-friendly environment with moderate stability. However, safety scores are moderate (46.36 percentile), and the neighborhood shows some environmental health concerns including elevated asthma rates (104.4 per 10,000) and PM2.5 levels. Median home values are high at $946,128, with 45.4% homeownership and a median household income of $74,878.
The neighborhood's strong transit score (82.38) indicates excellent public transportation options, making it accessible for students commuting from other parts of Brooklyn and beyond. The Bedford Avenue location is likely well-served by bus routes, though specific walkability depends on where families live within the zone.
Survey Results
NYC School Survey (2025) · 1309 families responded (34% rate)
Programs & Activities
Admissions Demand
Explore the world of Science through a challenging and comprehensive sequence of courses, including focusing on careers in the medical/health professions. Courses of study will include: AP Biology, Living Environment Honors, AP Chemistry, Physics Honors, Anatomy and Physiology, AP Psychology, Forensics and AP Environmental Sciences.
This is a four-year honors program, introduces students to legal concepts and terminology that include, but are not limited to, constitutional law, criminology, international law, and family law.
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
PTA Fundraising
Source: DOE Local Law 171 disclosure
Economic Need & Special Populations
Discipline
NYSED Student & Educator Database
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is James Madison High School a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for James Madison High School yet on Motley. It's a public school serving grades 9 to 12 in Madison.
- What grades does James Madison High School serve?
- James Madison High School serves grades 9 to 12.
- How do students get into James Madison High School?
- James Madison High School is a screened school — it admits by application, weighing grades, attendance, and sometimes a test or interview.
- Is James Madison High School public, charter, or private?
- James Madison High School is a public school in NYC Community School District 22.
- What neighborhood is James Madison High School in?
- James Madison High School is in Madison, Brooklyn.
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