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Welcome to Madison Country Day School!

At Madison Country Day School, we are proud to be part of a community that values education as one of the greatest gifts we can offer our children. In the Madison area, families are passionate about seeking the best learning environments—and MCDS stands out as a place where students are truly known, valued, and inspired.

In a world that can often feel impersonal and disconnected, MCDS provides an oasis of connection, purpose, and belonging. Our talented and dedicated faculty invest deeply in their students, encouraging them to take intellectual risks, refine their thinking, and grow in both character and confidence.

We are proud to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, which aligns with our belief in developing the whole person. Through this rigorous and thoughtful curriculum, our graduates emerge as independent thinkers—curious, capable, and well-prepared for the future.
Our high school experience is designed to nurture academic excellence while encouraging participation in athletics and the fine and performing arts. Every student benefits from individualized college counseling and a beautiful, inspiring campus that supports deep learning and meaningful relationships.

At MCDS, we also foster intellectual humility, encouraging students to question assumptions, explore diverse perspectives, and grow through open inquiry.

We invite you to connect with us to learn more—and to experience firsthand what makes our school so special.
 

 

Hear from our Students: This is MCDS

 

Because of my MCDS experience, I can speak up during seminars and raise my hand in busy lecture halls at Yale. My heart always races, but I have the confidence to engage with my classmates and professors because I did that all through high school.

Fabi Fernandez ’11

WHAT SETS OUR HIGH SCHOOL

APART

6:1

STUDENT TO
FACULTY RATIO

30+

STUDENT
ORGANIZATIONS

30.3

AVERAGE
ACT SCORE

300+

BEST MATCH COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES

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Curriculum

Our high school program is designed to provide a comprehensive college preparatory experience for every student. The graduation requirements reflect our mission’s steadfast commitment to educating students in the liberal arts and sciences. By the time students graduate from MCDS, they will have engaged in a rigorous course of study across the curriculum, while having the opportunity to develop and further pursue specific areas of interest.

Classes offered at Madison Country Day School are IB courses. The IB Program offers academic breadth and depth, fosters critical thinking, creates independent learners who feel prepared, provides global perspective, gives opportunity to earn significant university credit, teaches outstanding time management, integrates learning across subjects, assesses original thought, not examination techniques, meets the needs of a changing world with the IB Learner Profile qualities.
 

VIEW COURSE GUIDE

Student Life

The naturally wide-open, expansive prairie of the MCDS campus is the ideal setting for a wide variety of extracurricular activities and experiences that expand students’ horizons and help them develop all the different sides of themselves. Many of our extracurricular activities are student-driven, sparked by a particular student’s passion or interest in trying something new.

MCDS High School offers 14 varsity teams and a variety of club sports. Student-athletes benefit from our collegiate-level track and gymnasium, as well as our dedicated coaches and supportive school spirit.

Leadership is deeply ingrained into everything that happens at MCDS, and opportunities abound for students to create their own initiatives. For example, Abby ’22 started the literary magazine, The Prairie Magazine; Rafay ’22 started the Prairie Hawk Investment Club; Hunter ’22 started the Students of Color Affinity Group; and Sturgeon ’23 started the Social Awareness and Activism club.
 

ATHLETICS

CLUBS & ACTIVITIES

High School Socials & Dances

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college advising

College Advising & College Acceptances

Every MCDS High School student receives four years of 1:1 individualized college advising with our dedicated, experienced college advisor. Students receive expert guidance every step of the way, covering IB course planning, college essays and applications, financial aid and scholarship procurement, college entrance examinations, and much more.
 

SEE WHERE OUR STUDENTS GO

COLLEGE ADVISING