The Lower School focuses on providing a balanced curriculum of academics, arts, and athletics. Each student follows a sequential curriculum to master the foundational knowledge and skills in English, mathematics, science, history and geography, Spanish, music, art and physical education. Other important learning activities include nature walks, theater and museum trips and guest speakers.
Lower School curriculum begins in first grade. Language arts emphasizes the learning and writing of the sounds associated with the 71 phonograms of the Riggs Writing and Spelling Road to Reading and Thinking. The rigorous Singapore mathematics curriculum builds on both computation and problem-solving skills as topics are introduced through a concrete, then pictorial, and finally abstract approach. The Japanese science curriculum is a sophisticated experiment-based program using and teaching the scientific method. The history and geography studies are based on the Core Knowledge History and Geography curriculum, and students study world geography as it relates to the historical events studied. All Lower School students study Spanish five days a week. Classes address the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing and also incorporate in-depth historical, cultural and geographic studies of several Spanish-speaking countries.

Music instruction emphasizes piano, Orff instruments, music theory, and music history and appreciation. Theory and piano studies prepare students for regular recitals, school concerts, and musicals, as well as the graded examinations of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, London. Art classes offer instruction in drawing and sculpture, supplemented with art history. Physical education emphasizes fitness through individual and team sports like soccer, track and field, and tumbling that address a range of whole-body and fine motor skills and teach lifelong fitness.

In addition, we provide the opportunity for students to participate in service organizations such as Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts.

Homework is an essential part of the school’s program of study. Students regularly receive assignments to do at home.

Join us for a tour and see for yourself. It’s the best way to experience our school. Simply call Jen Klug, Director of Admissions at 608 850-6375 or send an email to admissions@madisoncountryday.org to arrange a convenient time. We look forward to hearing from you.