James Madison High School: Top School in Brooklyn, NY (2026 List)

About James Madison High School

James Madison High School is a public high school in the New York City Public Schools system, serving grades 9-12. The school serves approximately 3,800 students with a student-teacher ratio approaching 18:1, allowing for a full academic program and wide array of electives. James Madison High School is a college preparatory school with a focus on law studies and the arts. Advanced Placement coursework and exams are offered; the AP participation rate is 42%. Student demographics reflect a diverse community, with 49% total minority enrollment and 73% of students identified as economically disadvantaged. Math Proficiency 47 % Reading Proficiency 77 % The school offers SAT and ACT preparation, specialized academies such as law and forensic science, and a wide range of extracurricular opportunities. James Madison High School is situated in the Midwood region of Brooklyn and features a large and diverse campus environment as well as being one of the top schools for academic variety and college readiness, and it is one of the best high schools in New York.

Academic Performance

Subject Proficiency

Mathematics 47%

Reading 77%

State average proficiency is 47% in Math and 77% in Reading.

222

Full-time Teachers

17 : 1

Student-Teacher Ratio

3766

Total Students

$82249

Avg. Teacher Salary

Student Demographics

White 51.06%

Asian 19.41%

Hispanic 16.36%

Black 10.65%

Two+ Races 1.75%

Native Am. 0.37%

White

51.06%

Asian

19.41%

Hispanic

16.36%

Black

10.65%

Two+ Races

1.75%

Native Am.

0.37%

Gender Distribution

Total Students: 3766

45.7%

1721 Female

54.28%

2044 Male

Student Population

3766 Students

With a student-teacher ratio of 17 : 1

Minority Enrollment

25%

Percentage of minority students

Students per Counselor

219 : 1

Student to counselor ratio

James Madison High School Contact Information

Address

3787 BEDFORD AVE, BROOKLYN, NY, 11229

View on Map

Phone

(718) 758-7200

Call Now

Website

http://www.madisonhs.org

Recent News & Updates

New Playground Name

We are so excited to announce the name of our new playground! Following a school-wide and Robinson community vote we narrowed a large list of names down to four. Since our students will be using the playground on a daily basis, we gave them the final vote! 476.....

School Timings

Regular School Hours

All Grades: 7:20 AM to 3:40 PM

Early Dismissal Days

Dismissal Time: 12:15 PM

Note: Doors open at 7:05 AM for student arrival. Please refer to the school calendar for specific early dismissal dates.

After School Activities

Information coming soon

School Session Dates

September to June

School session starts in September 1st week and ends in June 3rd week. For exact dates, please contact the school.

Remarkable Alumni

Being Updated

Map

Latest News

James Madison High School partnered with EmblemHealth for Career Discovery Week, providing a full-day immersion into healthcare careers for sophomores with top city employers. The school’s Law Institute held a special graduation ceremony in the auditorium for seniors who completed the intensive law-based program. JMHS held its annual Centennial Celebration: Music Reunion in October, bringing alumni and current students together for performances and community building. In addition to the athletics, which include events like Girls Varsity Flag Football and Boys JV Baseball games, the school still provides a strong academic program and career learning opportunities.

FAQ

Q1. Are students able to look into STEM options?

Ans. Yes, ! There are science, technology, engineering, and math programs that let students learn through practical activities.

Q2. Are there programs that help kids stay fit?

Ans. Yes, James Madison High School helps students' mental, emotional, and social health by giving them counseling and wellness programs.

Q3. Do students have lockers in James Madison High School?

Ans. Yes, students are given lockers in the hallways at the start of the school year.

Q4. Can students take the SAT and ACT?

Ans. Yes, James Madison High School lets students who want to go to college take both the SAT and the ACT.

Q5. Does James Madison High School encourage people to get involved in their community?

Ans. Yes, students can help out with community programs and volunteer projects to learn about civic duty.

Games & Extracurricular Activities

Sports

Soccer Club Grades 1-3 | Mon/Wed 3:30-4:30pm
Basketball Grades 2-4 | Tue/Thu 3:30-4:45pm
Track & Field Grades 3-5 | Fri 3:30-5:00pm

Arts

Art Club Grades K-2 | Mon 3:00-4:00pm
Drama Club Grades 3-5 | Wed 3:30-5:00pm
Choir Grades 2-5 | Thu 3:15-4:15pm

Clubs

Chess Club Grades 2-5 | Fri 3:15-4:15pm
Garden Club All Grades | Tue 3:15-4:00pm
Robotics Club Grades 3-5 | Thu 3:30-5:00pm

Note: Schedules may change during school holidays. Please contact School for exact Schedule.

Summer Suggested Reading

Horn Book Selections

Vocabulary.com +3 Horn Book +3 What to Read to Your Kids +3

ML

Maggie Lou, Firefox

by Arnolda Dufour Bowes

PS

The Puppets of Spelhorst

by Kate DiCamillo

MLV

The Mona Lisa Vanishes

by Nicholas Day

Vocabulary.com Top Picks

Penguin Random House +10 Vocabulary.com +10 Wikipedia +10

F

Frindle

by Andrew Clements

WR

The Wild Robot

by Peter Brown

JGP

James and the Giant Peach

by Roald Dahl

Penguin Random House Features

Horn Book +2 Penguin Random House +2 The Guardian +2

SLB

The Secret Language of Birds

by Lynne Kelly

S

The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels

by Beth Lincoln

Free Robotics and Stem In-person Workshop in Your Neighbourhood for 7-14 Years Tech Enthusiasts.

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What Parents Say