Madison City Schools runs 15 schools for about 13,300 students. Fall break is over; Thanksgiving break is Nov. 25-27. Central Office: 256-464-8370.
Last checked Oct. 17, 2026. Facts on this page come from Madison City Schools’ About, Enrollment, School Year Calendars, board meetings and Accountability pages, and the Alabama State Department of Education report card.
Every public school in Madison, with its zone and report card: Madison public schools.
Public schools in Madison are run by Madison City Schools, a district that split from Madison County Schools in 1998 and also serves the town of Triana. It covers homes on both the Madison County and Limestone County sides of the city. The district expected more than 13,300 students at the start of 2026-27, and calls itself the fastest-growing school system in Alabama and the state’s 12th largest.
Who to call
- Central Office (enrollment, zoning, general questions): 256-464-8370, 211 Celtic Drive
- Superintendent: Eric Terrell
- Find your zoned school: the district’s School Zone Locator
- Enroll online: 2026-27 enrollment form (Spanish)
The schools
The district lists 15 schools on its website:
| Level | Schools |
|---|---|
| High (9-12) | Bob Jones, James Clemens |
| Middle (6-8) | Discovery, Journey, Liberty |
| Elementary (K-5) | Columbia, Heritage, Horizon, Madison, Midtown, Mill Creek, Rainbow, Russell Branch (new) |
| Other | West Madison PreK Center, RISE Academy (alternative school), ACCESS Virtual Learning |
The district says it rezones often as the population shifts and new schools open, and tries to keep schools socioeconomically balanced. It held a public hearing on rezoning on Oct. 27, 2025. Check the locator before you buy or rent.
Ratings and report cards
Madison City Schools says it is one of only five of Alabama’s 149 school systems to receive all A’s on state report cards consistently over the past decade, according to its About page. The Alabama State Department of Education grades every school and district A to F.
- School-by-school results: the state’s report card site; choose the year, “Madison City” and the school.
- District letters and safety reports: the district’s Accountability page, including the 2024-25 student incident report.
2026-27 calendar: the dates that matter
From the district’s 2026-27 calendar, adopted June 26, 2025, and updated Sept. 1, 2026:
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| Wednesday, Oct. 21 | PSAT for registered 10th and 11th graders; e-learning for 9th and 12th |
| Wednesday, Nov. 11 | Closed, Veterans Day |
| Nov. 25-27 | Closed, Thanksgiving |
| Thursday, Dec. 17 | Half day |
| Friday, Dec. 18 | Half day, end of first semester |
| Dec. 21 to Jan. 4 | Closed, winter holidays |
| Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2027 | Students return |
| Monday, Jan. 18 | Closed, Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| Monday, Feb. 15 | Closed, Presidents Day |
| March 15-19 | Spring break |
| Monday, May 17 | Graduation for Bob Jones and James Clemens; e-learning for all |
| Tuesday, May 25 | Half day, last day for students |
Half days end at 11 a.m. for pre-K, 11:30 a.m. for elementary and 12:15 p.m. for middle and high schools. The 2027-28 calendar is also posted.
Enrolling
Madison City Schools enrolls students who live in its zone; the student’s residence is the custodial parent’s or guardian’s. All applications are online, the Enrollment page says. Bring:
- Birth certificate and Alabama immunization record
- Photo ID of the enrolling parent or guardian, and custody papers if they apply
- Most recent report card or transcript
- Proof of residency: a property tax receipt or deed, or a signed lease, plus a current gas, water or electric bill or start-of-service receipt. Cable and cellphone bills do not count.
Families under contract on a home fill out a Sales Contract Transfer Request. Children must be 5 on or before Sept. 2, 2026, for kindergarten this year, and 6 by Dec. 31 for first grade.
The school board
The Madison City Board of Education is appointed by the City Council to staggered five-year terms and represents the whole city, not districts. It hires the superintendent. Meetings are in the board room at the Central Office, 211 Celtic Drive. The next posted meeting is 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, according to the board’s August-October notice. Agendas post on the meetings page, and meetings stream live.
Money
The district reports a $200 million operating budget and 1,567 employees. Voters in Madison and Triana approved a 12-mill school property tax increase in September 2019 by a 70% margin. Of the 69.5 mills on a Madison tax bill, 23 are the city’s school tax; see our property tax guide.
What this means for you
- Thanksgiving break is three days, Nov. 25-27.
- Moving here? Check the zone locator, then enroll online with a utility bill in hand.
- Want a say? The board meets at 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22.
More guides: Friday night football, moving to Madison and home prices.
Which schools serve which part of town: see our Madison neighborhoods guide.
Frequently asked questions
When is Thanksgiving break for Madison City Schools?
Madison City Schools is closed Wednesday through Friday, Nov. 25-27, 2026, for Thanksgiving, according to the district’s 2026-27 calendar.
When is the last day of school for Madison City Schools in 2027?
The last day for students is Tuesday, May 25, 2027, a half day. Graduation for Bob Jones and James Clemens high schools is Monday, May 17.
How do I enroll my child in Madison City Schools?
All enrollment is online through the district’s PowerSchool form. You need a birth certificate, an Alabama immunization record, a parent’s photo ID and proof of residency. Call 256-464-8370 for help.
Which school is my child zoned for in Madison?
Type your address into the district’s School Zone Locator, linked from its enrollment page. The district rezones often as the city grows.
How are Madison City Schools rated?
The district says it is one of five Alabama school systems out of 149 to receive all A’s on state report cards consistently over the past decade. School-by-school results are on the Alabama State Department of Education report card site.
Have your say