{{Use American English|date=September 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2025}} {{Infobox school | name = Madison West High School | logo = | image = WestHighSchoolAsh.png | motto = | established = 1930 | type = Public secondary | grades = 9–12 | enrollment = 2,137 (2023–2024)<ref name=NCES>{{cite web|url=https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=5508520&SchoolPageNum=4&ID=550852000967|title=West High|publisher=National Center for Education Statistics|access-date=December 19, 2024|archive-date=April 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425054701/https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=5508520&SchoolPageNum=4&ID=550852000967|url-status=live}}</ref> | teaching_staff = 129.80 (FTE)<ref name=NCES/> | ratio = 16.46:1<ref name=NCES/> | address = 30 Ash Street | city = Madison (MMSD) | state = Wisconsin | zipcode = 53726 | country = United States | coordinates = {{coord|43|4|7|N|89|25|33|W|display=inline,title}} | district = Madison Metropolitan School District MMSD | principal = Daniel Kigeya<ref name=MAD>{{cite web|url=https://madison.com/news/local/education/madison-school-district-undergoes-building-leadership-shuffle-as-two-principals-leave/article_0a24b985-5cb6-5eda-a0fa-b33edf8d4e30.html#:~:text=Among%20the%20changes%20announced%20recently,West%20High%20School%20principal%3B%20Gompers|access-date=September 10, 2022|title=Madison School District undergoes building leadership shuffle as two principals leave|date=April 27, 2022 |archive-date=September 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220911033120/https://madison.com/news/local/education/madison-school-district-undergoes-building-leadership-shuffle-as-two-principals-leave/article_0a24b985-5cb6-5eda-a0fa-b33edf8d4e30.html#:~:text=Among%20the%20changes%20announced%20recently,West%20High%20School%20principal%3B%20Gompers|url-status=live}}</ref> | mascot = Reggie Regent, Little Reggie (lions) | teams = Regents | colors = Maize and blue {{Color box|#FBEC5D|border=darkgray}}{{Color box|blue|border=darkgray}} | athletic_conference = Big Eight Conference | yearbook = Westward Ho | newspaper = The Regent Review | website = {{URL|west.madison.k12.wi.us}} | accreditation = AdvancED | footnotes = <ref>{{cite web |url=http://westweb.madison.k12.wi.us/ |title=Home |website=West High School |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110119180429/http://westweb.madison.k12.wi.us/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 19, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=West High School |url=https://westweb.madison.k12.wi.us/ |publisher=Madison Metropolitan School District |access-date=December 18, 2012 |archive-date=July 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723100956/https://westweb.madison.k12.wi.us/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.advanc-ed.org/oasis2/u/par/accreditation/summary?institutionId=31405 |title=Institution Summary |website=AdvancED |access-date=July 8, 2012 |archive-date=December 15, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141215070635/http://www.advanc-ed.org/oasis2/u/par/accreditation/summary?institutionId=31405 |url-status=live }}</ref> }} '''Madison West High School''' is a public high school on the west side of Madison, Wisconsin, United States. It was founded in 1930 and is one of six secondary schools in the Madison Metropolitan School District. It serves students from Madison, Shorewood Hills, and Fitchburg.
Located near the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the Wisconsin State Capitol, the school was rated "Exceeds Expectations" on the 2023–2024 School Report Card by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Its athletic teams, known as the Regents, compete in the WIAA Big Eight Conference.
== History ==
=== 1924–1930: Founding === Established in 1930, Madison West High School began as a junior-senior high before becoming a four-year high school in the 1960s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Madison West High School |url=https://communityhistoryarchives.com/places/madison-west-high-school/ |access-date=June 12, 2025}}</ref> The building is an example of Collegiate Gothic Revival architecture, featuring pointed arches, stonework, and ornamental detailing.<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=City of Madison Landmarks Commission LANDMARKS AND LANDMARK SITES NOMINATION FORM (1) |url=https://www.cityofmadison.com/dpced/planning/documents/171_2222EWashingtonAvenue.pdf |access-date=June 12, 2025}}</ref>
At the time of its construction, the school was located at the western edge of Madison, inspiring its name. In the early 20th century, Madison's only public high school was located downtown on the isthmus. A second school, East High School, opened in 1924 on the far east side. As western neighborhoods such as Nakoma, Wingra Park, and Westmorland grew, the school board selected the Carpenter farm on Regent Street for a new high school. The site, bordered by Highland Avenue at the city limits, was controversial. On April 22, 1924, the ''Capital Times'' reported that board member E.E. Brossard opposed the location, citing concerns that Madison would not expand far enough west for the site to be considered central.<ref>{{Cite web |title=West High School |url=https://www.historicmadison.org/westhighschool |access-date=June 12, 2025 |website=Historic Madison Inc}}</ref>
=== 1939-1945: World War II === Fifty-seven alumni from the classes of 1931 to 1944 are recognized as Gold Star alumni, having sacrificed in military service for the United States in World War II.<ref>{{Cite web |title=West High WWII Gold Star Alumni List |url=https://www.facebook.com/groups/159700503902/posts/10152122332033903/ |access-date=June 12, 2025 |website=Facebook}}</ref> Their names are inscribed on a memorial wall at the school's southern entrance, beneath a 13-folded triangle American flag.
=== 2019–2022: Academic and policy changes === In 2020, MMSD implemented a policy setting 50% as the minimum grade for assignments, including those that were not turned in. Critics raised concerns about grade inflation and its effects on academic preparedness.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Yonah |date=February 10, 2024 |title=MMSD's new homework policy remains controversial four years after its rollout |url=https://madisoncommons.org/mmsds-new-homework-policy-remains-controversial-four-years-after-its-rollout/ |access-date=June 12, 2025 |website=Madison Commons}}</ref>
From 2021 to 2024, the MMSD school board considered removing honors classes, though the proposal was not adopted following large community opposition.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 23, 2021 |title=Parents, students question 'one-size-fits-all' approach in Madison push for earned honors |url=https://madison.com/news/local/education/local_schools/parents-students-question-one-size-fits-all-approach-in-madison-push-for-earned-honors/article_a955e9ed-10bf-515b-b8c9-cf367f74fd3b.html |access-date=August 4, 2025 |work=Madison.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=February 15, 2022 |title=Madison hits pause on honors |url=https://isthmus.com/news/news/madison-hits-pause-on-honors/ |access-date=August 4, 2025 |work=Isthmus}}</ref>
=== 2020-2024: Renovation === In 2020, Madison voters approved a $317 million referendum to improve school facilities across the district. As part of this plan, extensive renovations began at West High in summer 2022 and were completed in the fall of 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Girard |first=Scott |date=April 27, 2023 |title=Madison West High School pool, renovation referendum work progresses |url=https://captimes.com/news/education/madison-west-high-school-pool-renovation-referendum-work-progresses/article_bd6f381b-28e7-5105-8195-b0cb70e438ab.html |access-date=June 12, 2025 |website=The Cap Times}}</ref>
These renovations aimed to address overcrowding and accommodate a projected student population of 2,200, as noted in a 2019 facilities assessment by Zimmerman Architectural Studios, Inc.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Madison West High School: About Us |url=https://west.madison.k12.wi.us/about-us#:~:text=Welcome%20to%20West%20High%20School,approximate%20enrollment%20of%202%2C200%20students. |access-date=June 12, 2025}}</ref>
Between 2022 and 2024, enrollment at West High increased significantly, despite a projected decrease in students.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 1, 2024 |title=MMSD Sees Enrollment Increase for Second Year in a Row |url=https://memorial.madison.k12.wi.us/families/district-news/district-news-article/~board/newsstories/post/mmsd-sees-enrollment-increase-for-second-year-in-a-row#:~:text=%E2%80%9CMadison%20is%20a%20growing%20destination,that%20they%20aim%20to%20provide. |access-date=June 12, 2025}}</ref>
The renovation included a new pool and gym with updated locker rooms, new classrooms and team rooms, and integrated wrestling and weight training facilities. Other additions include a library media center, expanded science labs, a welcome center, and a four-story accessibility addition to connect all school levels.<ref name=":0" />
== Academics == === School Ranking === {| class="wikitable" ! Scope !! ''Niche''<ref>{{Cite web |title=West High School in Madison, WI |url=https://www.niche.com/k12/west-high-school-madison-wi/ |access-date=June 24, 2025 |website=Niche |language=en}}</ref> !! ''US News & World Report''<ref>{{Cite news |title=West High School in Madison, WI - US News Best High Schools |url=https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/wisconsin/districts/madison-metropolitan-school-district/west-high-school-21684 |access-date=June 24, 2025 |website=U.S. News & World Report}}</ref> |- | District || N/A || 1 |- | Metro Area || 2 || 3 |- | State || 12 || 24 |- | Nation || 983 || 997 |}
West High School has at times produced more National Merit Scholarship semifinalists and finalists than any other high school in Wisconsin.<ref>{{Cite web |title=State Report Cards - Madison Metropolitan School District |url=https://www.madison.k12.wi.us/academics/state-report-cards |access-date=June 24, 2025 |website=www.madison.k12.wi.us |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=Madison West High School About Us |url=https://west.madison.k12.wi.us/about-us |access-date=June 12, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Reporter |first=Madison |title=Twenty-three MMSD seniors named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists |url=https://madisonreporter.com/stories/664418220-twenty-three-mmsd-seniors-named-national-merit-scholarship-semifinalists |access-date=June 24, 2025 |website=Madison Reporter |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-04-13 |title=MMSD has 41 National Merit Scholarship finalists, the highest number of students in Wisconsin |url=https://madison365.com/mmsd-has-41-national-merit-scholarship-finalists-the-highest-in-wisconsin/ |access-date=2026-04-15 |website=Madison365 |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== Advanced Placement (AP) Offerings === Madison West offers 20 AP courses.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 19, 2024 |title=A Majority of Grade 9-12 Public Schools Rate Themselves Favorably on Preparing Students for College |url=https://nces.ed.gov/whatsnew/press_releases/3_19_2024.asp#:~:text=Compared%20to%20this%20national%20average%20(10%20AP,*%20With%20300%2D499%20students%20(6%20AP%20courses) |access-date=June 12, 2025}}</ref><ref name="cat">{{Cite web |title=West High School Course Catalog - All Courses - Madison West High School |url=https://west.madison.k12.wi.us/students/west-high-school-course-catalog/course-catalog-article/all-courses |access-date=June 24, 2025 |website=west.madison.k12.wi.us |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=AP Courses and Exams – AP Students {{!}} College Board |url=https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/courses |access-date=June 24, 2025 |website=apstudents.collegeboard.org}}</ref><ref name="course">{{Cite web |title=Course Catalog - Madison West High School |url=https://west.madison.k12.wi.us/students/west-high-school-course-catalog |access-date=March 12, 2025 |website=west.madison.k12.wi.us |language=en-US}}</ref>
<div style="column-count:4; column-width:200px; column-gap:20px;"> * AP French Language and Culture * AP Spanish Language and Culture * AP Spanish Literature and Culture * AP German Language and Culture * AP United States Government and Politics * AP African American Studies * AP United States History * AP World History: Modern * AP Statistics * AP Precalculus * AP Calculus AB * AP Calculus BC * AP Computer Science Principles * AP Computer Science A * AP Physics 1 * AP Physics 2 * AP Chemistry * AP Biology * AP Environmental Science * AP Music Theory
</div>
Though West's curriculum does not offer either of the AP English courses, it instead features semester-long classes such as Language, Usage and Grammar (LUG), Advanced Writing Workshop (AWW), Survey of American Literature Honors, and Trends in 20th Century Literature, which aim to prepare students for these exams.<ref name="cat" /><ref name="course" />
=== Postsecondary Enrollment === In 2022, 78% of West High School graduates planned to immediately enroll in a postsecondary institution: 58% in a four-year college or university, 19% in a two-year college, and 1% in the military.
== Extracurriculars ==
Madison West High School offers 101 extracurricular organizations<ref>[https://west.madison.k12.wi.us/students/clubs-activities 101 extracurricular organizations]</ref> and activities, alongside 21 interscholastic sports. Prominent academic competitive clubs with strong records in local, state, national, and international tournaments include:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Madison West: Students Club Activities |url=https://west.madison.k12.wi.us/students/clubs-activities}}</ref> * DECA (formerly Distributive Education Clubs of America) * HOSA Future Health Professionals * Mock Trial * Math Team<ref>[https://artofproblemsolving.com/wiki/index.php/List_of_United_States_high_school_mathematics_competitions?srsltid=AfmBOopyckVa_QZXRIWx-Df08RP9EOqUbZdkABCMw7yVZGhzziq61WYw Math Team]</ref> (offers exams for AMC 8, AMC 10, AMC 12, AIME, USAMO/USAJMO, and IMO) * National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA): Forensics Team, and Debate Team are separate clubs under NSDA. * Rocket Club * Science Olympiad
=== Math Team === The Madison West Math Team took first place in the 2015 state math meet.<ref>{{cite web |title=2015 State High School Math Contest Results |url=http://www.wismath.org/Resources/Documents/Contest/2015%20%20State%20High%20School%20Math%20Contest%20Results.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160622195145/http://www.wismath.org/Resources/Documents/Contest/2015%20%20State%20High%20School%20Math%20Contest%20Results.pdf |archive-date=June 22, 2016 |access-date=October 21, 2019 |website=Wisconsin Mathematics Council}}</ref> In 2016, they took first in the state math meet,<ref>{{cite web |title=2016 State High School Math Contest Results |url=http://www.wismath.org/resources/Documents/2016%20%20State%20HS%20Math%20Contest%20Results.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404211222/http://wismath.org/resources/Documents/2016%20%20State%20HS%20Math%20Contest%20Results.pdf |archive-date=April 4, 2017 |access-date=April 7, 2017 |website=Wisconsin Mathematics Council}}</ref> the Wisconsin Math League,<ref>{{Cite web |title=April 2016 High School Score Report Summary |url=http://www.mathleague.com/downloads/hs1516/wi-hs6-1516.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206053313/http://mathleague.com/downloads/hs1516/wi-hs6-1516.pdf |archive-date=February 6, 2017 |access-date=April 27, 2018 |website=Wisconsin Mathematics League}}</ref> and the International Online "Purple Comet! Math Meet" for Wisconsin (20th in the U.S.).<ref>{{cite web |title=2016 Results |url=https://purplecomet.org/result/results/2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180428093559/https://purplecomet.org/result/results/2016 |archive-date=April 28, 2018 |access-date=April 27, 2018 |website=Purple Comet! Math Meet}}</ref>
=== Rocket Club === The Madison West Rocket Club was founded in 2003 by freshman Thomas Hanzlik.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History of the Club - 94KeyboardsSmashed/Madwest_Webproject GitHub Wiki |url=https://github-wiki-see.page/m/94KeyboardsSmashed/Madwest_Webproject/wiki/History-of-the-Club |access-date=May 11, 2025}}</ref> The club won the national Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC) in 2009, 2012, and 2019, and represented the U.S. in international competition.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rocketcontest.org/competition-results/2009-results/ |title=2009 Contest Final Results |website=Team America Rocketry Challenge}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://rocketcontest.org/competition-results/2012-results/ |title=2012 Contest Final Results |website=Team America Rocketry Challenge}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Madison West team will represent US in international rocket competition |url=http://m.host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/education/local_schools/madison-west-team-will-represent-us-in-international-rocket-competition/article_416db0b2-cb8f-11e1-92a5-001a4bcf887a.html |date=July 12, 2012}}</ref>
In 2020, the club launched Project Ariadne, sending slime mold into suborbital flight to study its behavior in microgravity, as part of the NASA Student Launch Challenge.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Going to Space |url=https://westrocketry.com/www-test/index.php/space/ |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Project Ariadne: The Effects of Microgravity on the Periodicity of Cytoplasmic Streaming in the Acellular Slime Mold 'Physarum polycephalum' |url=http://westrocketry.com/sli2020/KSGProposalPublicRelease.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>[https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/nasa-student-launch/ Student Launch Challenge]</ref>
In 2025, the club won first place in the Rockets for Schools Class 2 and Class 1 Senior divisions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=https://www.rockets4schools.org/ |url=https://www.rockets4schools.org/ |access-date=August 20, 2025 |website=www.rockets4schools.org |language=en}}</ref>
=== Science Olympiad === Founded in 1985, the Madison West Science Olympiad team placed in the national top 10 for three consecutive years from 1989 to 1991, finishing 2nd in 1989.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://soinc.org/past_tournament_results |title=Past Tournament Results |website=Science Olympiad |access-date=April 27, 2018 |archive-date=August 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160802150819/https://www.soinc.org/past_tournament_results |url-status=live }}</ref> The team has earned earned 20 state titles, 19 runner-up finishes, and 27 national appearances; recently, its achievements have included notable 13th and 7th place national finishes in 2024 and 2025, and a high degree of success in physics and build events.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://scioly.org/wiki/index.php/Madison_West_High_School |title=Madison West High School |website=Science Olympiad |access-date=November 6, 2020 |archive-date=October 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005030415/http://scioly.org/wiki/index.php/Madison_West_High_School |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="2024Duosmium">{{Cite web |title=2024 National Tournament (Div. C) {{!}} Duosmium Results |url=https://www.duosmium.org/results/2024-05-25_nationals_c/ |access-date=June 24, 2025 |website=www.duosmium.org |language=en}}</ref><ref name="2024SO">{{Cite web |title=2024 National Tournament {{!}} Science Olympiad |url=https://www.soinc.org/2024-national-tournament |access-date=June 24, 2025 |website=www.soinc.org}}</ref><ref name="2025Duosmium">{{Cite web |title=2025 National Tournament (Div. C) {{!}} Duosmium Results |url=https://www.duosmium.org/results/2025-05-23_nationals_c/ |access-date=June 24, 2025 |website=www.duosmium.org |language=en}}</ref><ref name="2025SO">{{Cite web |title=2025 National Tournament {{!}} Science Olympiad |url=https://www.soinc.org/2025-national-tournament |access-date=June 24, 2025 |website=www.soinc.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2026 WI State Tournament (Div. C) {{!}} Duosmium Results |url=https://www.duosmium.org/results/2026-04-18_WI_states_c/ |access-date=2026-05-22 |website=www.duosmium.org |language=en}}</ref>
=== Athletic conference affiliation history === * Big Eight Conference (1930–present)
== Controversies == In October 2019, a Black security assistant was terminated after using a racial slur while advising a student not to use it. The incident prompted student protests, and the staff member was subsequently reinstated.<ref name=":1">{{cite news |last=Girard |first=Scott |date=November 7, 2019 |title='I broke a world record in hugs for one day': Marlon Anderson returns to Madison West |url=https://captimes.com/news/local/education/i-broke-a-world-record-in-hugs-for-one-day-marlon-anderson-returns-to-madison/article_4470eaf9-a8d6-5736-9c7a-cf867531b933.html |access-date=September 8, 2024 |website=The Cap Times}}</ref>
In April 2021, the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty threatened to sue both Madison West and the MMSD following virtual discussions on race (following the Derek Chauvin trial verdict) where parents were divided into groups for "white parents" and "parents of color," as noted in school emails.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Langrehr |first=Jaymes |date=April 26, 2021 |title=Conservative law group threatens to sue MMSD over 'segregationist' Zoom meetings for families |url=https://www.channel3000.com/news/local-news/conservative-law-group-threatens-to-sue-mmsd-over-segregationist-zoom-meetings-for-families/article_9951d131-fc43-540b-bd0f-50aa465e703c.html |access-date=June 26, 2025 |website=Channel3000.com |language=en}}</ref> In response, the district apologized for the "poorly worded message" and noted that students and families themselves had requested the separate affinity groups.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Langrehr |first=Jaymes |date=April 26, 2021 |title='Poorly-worded message:' MMSD officials address email sent to parents with separate meetings for white parents, parents of color |url=https://www.channel3000.com/news/local-news/poorly-worded-message-mmsd-officials-address-email-sent-to-parents-with-separate-meetings-for-white/article_b269cb1c-e705-5c6c-bf13-66f8b87b4e16.html |access-date=June 24, 2025 |website=Channel3000.com |language=en}}</ref>
== Historical archives == The school, in partnership with Advantage Archives, digitized its 2,414 pages of the ''West High Times'' (1930–1962) and 14,105 pages of yearbooks (1933–2020).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Madison West High School |url=https://communityhistoryarchives.com/places/madison-west-high-school/ |access-date=March 12, 2025 |website=Community History Archives |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Notable alumni== {{div col|colwidth=28em}} * Jim Bakken – former NFL place kicker, St. Louis Cardinals * Drake Baldwin – MLB catcher * Tammy Baldwin – U.S. representative and U.S. senator<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tammybaldwin.com/about/ |title=About Tammy |website=Tammy Baldwin.com |access-date=November 6, 2012 |archive-date=November 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105143113/http://www.tammybaldwin.com/about/ |url-status=live}}</ref> * Carol A. Buettner – Wisconsin state senator * Alex Compton – former Philippine Basketball Association player and head coach * Jeff Conrad – drummer for the band Phantom Planet * Jim Doyle, class of 1963 – 44th governor of Wisconsin<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=510656 |title=Doyle Profile, Part 1: Seeds for race planted early |last=Borowski |first=Greg |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |date=October 8, 2006 |access-date=December 6, 2006 |format=ASPX |archive-date=September 29, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929131131/http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=510656 |url-status=live}}</ref> * Reece Gaines – former NBA guard, Orlando Magic, Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gainere01.html|title=Reece Gaines|website=Basketball Reference.com|access-date=December 6, 2006|archive-date=April 15, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110415065957/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gainere01.html|url-status=live}}</ref> * Alexander Gee Jr – founder of Nehemiah Ministries, Justified Anger, and the Center for Black Excellence and Culture<ref>{{cite news |url=https://madison.com/news/local/center-of-black-excellence-3-million-from-goal/article_59a164b0-728d-11ee-86e0-6f82f0c96162.html |title=When will Madison's Center for Black Excellence and Culture be built? |website=madison.com |date=October 25, 2023 |access-date=April 21, 2024}}</ref> * Alexander R. Grant – Wisconsin state representative * Olin Hacker – professional track and field athlete * Beth Heiden – Olympic bronze medalist speed skater in the 1980 Winter Olympic Games; professional cyclist * Eric Heiden – Olympic gold medalist speed skater at the 1980 Winter Olympic Games; professional cyclist * Phil Hellmuth – professional poker player<ref>{{cite news |last=Moe |first=Doug |title=A Poker Story, A Madison Story |newspaper=The Capital Times |date=July 22, 2006 |url=http://www.madison.com/archives/read.php?ref=%2Ftct%2F2006%2F07%2F22%2F0607220138.php |access-date=December 7, 2006 |archive-date=March 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230304035625/https://madison.newspapers.com/?xid=1673 |url-status=live}}</ref> * Francesca Hong - member of the Wisconsin Assembly and 2026 candidate for governor of Wisconsin.<ref name="hong">{{Cite web |title=Representative Francesca Hong |url=https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/legislators/assembly/2738 |access-date=September 13, 2025 |website=Wisconsin Legislature}}</ref> * Dan Immerfall – Olympic speed skater at 1976 Winter Olympic Games, 1980 Winter Olympic Games * Daniel Kane – mathematician; Morgan Prize (2007), Putnam Fellow (2003–2006) * Peter Koechley – co-founder of Upworthy<ref>{{Cite web|date=Spring 2017|title=Alumni in the News|url=https://www.college.columbia.edu/cct/issue/spring17/article/alumni-news|access-date=August 21, 2021|website=Columbia College Today}}</ref> * Fred Lerdahl – composer and music theorist * Awonder Liang – chess player, third youngest American to qualify for the title of Grandmaster<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nbc15.com/content/news/madisonteenheadstouschesschampionships-507178131.html |title=Madison teen will be youngest competitor at U.S. Chess Championship |last=Stofflet |first=John |date=March 14, 2019 |publisher=NBC 15 |access-date=December 22, 2020 |archive-date=August 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210821101325/https://www.nbc15.com/content/news/madisonteenheadstouschesschampionships-507178131.html |url-status=live}}</ref> * Barbara Lorman – Wisconsin state senator * Denny Love – actor<ref>{{cite web |url=https://madison365.com/madison-south-sider-lands-role-in-major-hulu-series/ |title=Madison South Sider Lands Role in Major Hulu Series |website=madison365.com |date=March 25, 2019 |access-date=February 21, 2021 |archive-date=November 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126224640/https://madison365.com/madison-south-sider-lands-role-in-major-hulu-series/ |url-status=live}}</ref> * David Maraniss – journalist and author * K. T. McFarland – deputy national security advisor * Dalia Mogahed – Director of Research at the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding * Ward Moorehouse – anti-corporate activist, publisher * Jay Mortenson – Olympic gold medalist in swimming in 1988 * Cyrus Nowrasteh – filmmaker * Sarayu Rao – actress * John Reynolds – actor and writer<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/search-party-s-john-reynolds-wishes-he-d-studied-piano-1819982855|title=Search Party's John Reynolds wishes he'd studied piano instead of watching Whose Line is It Anyway?|website=The A.V. Club|date=November 2, 2017|access-date=January 24, 2022|archive-date=January 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124174150/https://www.avclub.com/search-party-s-john-reynolds-wishes-he-d-studied-piano-1819982855|url-status=live}}</ref> * Sarah T. Roberts – researcher * David L. Rose – business executive * Leo Sidran – musician * Charles P. Smith – Wisconsin state treasurer * John Stamstad – bike racer and trail runner, member of the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame * Scott Stantis – editorial cartoonist for ''The Chicago Tribune'' and creator of the comic strips ''The Buckets'' and ''Prickly City'' * Tim Stracka – former NFL tight end, Cleveland Browns * Mike Sui – actor * Chris Tallman – actor * Donnel Thompson – former NFL linebacker, Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts * Tim Van Galder – former NFL quarterback, St. Louis Cardinals * Stu Voigt – former NFL tight end, Minnesota Vikings * J.D. Walsh – actor<ref>{{cite web |url=http://host.madison.com/entertainment/television/madison-west-grad-j-d-walsh-brings-his-politically-charged/article_f1b05904-528e-11e1-9b9d-001871e3ce6c.html |title=Madison West grad J.D. Walsh brings his politically charged series, 'Battleground', home |first=Rob |last=Thomas |date=February 9, 2012 |website=Madison.com |access-date=April 27, 2018 |archive-date=April 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180428093554/http://host.madison.com/entertainment/television/madison-west-grad-j-d-walsh-brings-his-politically-charged/article_f1b05904-528e-11e1-9b9d-001871e3ce6c.html |url-status=live }}</ref> * Marc Webb – film director * Bob Whitsitt – general manager of the Portland Trail Blazers and the Seattle SuperSonics in the NBA; the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL * Ben Wikler – chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin {{div col end}}
== References == {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} * [https://west.madison.k12.wi.us/ School website] * [https://www.madison.k12.wi.us/ District website]
{{Big Eight Conference (Wisconsin)}}{{Education in Dane County, Wisconsin}}{{authority control}}
Category:High schools in Madison, Wisconsin Category:Educational institutions established in 1930 Category:Public high schools in Wisconsin Category:1930 establishments in Wisconsin *