Capital High - A Space To Call Home
In the academic year 2023-2024, the Madison Metropolitan School District proudly welcomed a valuable addition to its educational repertoire – the newly unified Capital High School. Last night, we were honored to join in on the ribbon-cutting ceremony that marked the commencement of this transformative venture. Formerly divided into three distinct programs – Capital West, Capital East, and the Parenting Program – Capital High School now stands as a cohesive and innovative public alternative high school, a testament to the community's support through the 2020 Future Ready Referendum.
The school currently serves around 150 students in grades 9-12, with plans to expand to 300 students within a decade (though early indicators suggest this milestone may be achieved much sooner), Capital High extends a unique educational opportunity to the youth of our city who may face challenges navigating the traditional public school system. Principal Victor Chukwudebe shared that students, initially exhibiting attendance rates of 10%-30%, have seen a remarkable increase to 76% within the current academic year. The establishment of a safe and inclusive environment has proven pivotal in fostering student success.
The new school is the culmination of input from teachers, staff, and students. With all this input. Capital High is uniquely prepared to prepare students to be ready for a successful future in college, a career, and in the community. The school underwent a comprehensive renovation, resulting in a facility featuring numerous conference spaces, an art studio, a culinary arts room, state-of-the-art science labs, an early childhood classroom, all-gender restrooms, a new elevator, and a secure entry. A particularly noteworthy addition is the childcare facility, addressing the needs of student-parents and eliminating potential obstacles to their educational journey.
A big thanks to JH Findorff, EUA, the awesome MMSD crew, and our Development Manager Jeff Duesterbeck who made this project happen. We are excited to see Capital High thrive and can't wait to cheer on the first class of graduates from this new space.
