All Children have phenomenal potential and achieve high results when empowered. Madison Country Day School builds from this premise, drawing selectively from the finest programs in the United States and around the world, matching these programs with the most effective methods of teaching and learning.

At MCDS, students embrace a liberal arts curriculum rich in literature, languages, sciences, and the fine arts. We are convinced that this approach enables our students to understand the most important distinction at the turn of the 21st century: the difference between ever proliferating information and the more slowly changing body of knowledge and wisdom. The goal of Madison Country Day School is to produce energetic seekers of such wisdom, able to approach any genuine problem of knowledge with confidence.

Founded in 1997 by a group of Madisonians who wanted an independent, co-educational, and non-sectarian choice for families, the school is governed by a Board of Trustees. They are keepers of the school's mission and delegate operation of the school to the Head, the staff and the faculty. Independent schools produce thinkers, leaders, and professionals in numbers far out of proportion to numbers enrolled. These individuals are able to succeed in large measure because such independence frees MCDS from attention to bureaucracy enabling us to concentrate on scholarship, citizenship, and overall development of the students in our care.

Education has never been more important, especially here in the greater Madison area, which has deep educational roots and is home to the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin, and now rapid, sustained growth in medical, scientific, and technological research. However at virtually all academic levels prior to college, American students fare poorly: in the Third International Mathematics and Science Study, U.S. students ranked 28th among 41 countries. The vision of Madison Country Day School includes raising the performance of American students in future international studies--not just for the sake of performance scores but for the better future of our children.

MCDS will graduate its first students to colleges and universities in 2007. Ongoing expansion of facilities, faculty, and staff is planned, but not at the expense of the school's philosophy of education which includes knowing our students well. Well informed and perceptive adults can counsel our students more confidently, empathize more sensitively, and criticize more precisely. And because we know our students well, our plans for them work.

Great schools know themselves. They understand what is sacred and what is negotiable. They have the wisdom to honor their roots, the discipline to manage continuity, and the foresight to plan for change. At Madison Country Day School we govern ourselves by these tenets and look forward to the future. And we invite you to see for yourself our vision in action by visiting our school. A warm welcome awaits.

Simply call our Admissions Director, Micki Beutler at (608) 850-6375 to arrange a convenient time. We look forward to hearing from you.

Welcome to Madison Country Day School!
Adam de Pencier, Head of School