Celebrate with us! Save the date:
Family Fest Birthday Bash
Saturday, June 4, 2022
Celebrating 25 Years!
1997-98
MCDS opens its doors with 22 students. Sandra Gilmor, head of school, welcomes students on the first day in Martinsville.
1998-99
Enrollment reaches over 50 students. Micheal Veitch, head of school, leads assembly (called “flag”) in our new home on River Road.
1999-2000
MCDS expands to middle school with both fifth and sixth grades. First major theatre production: Snow White (in Spanish). Enrollment reaches over 100 students.
2001-02
A $3 million renovation project converts 64 sleeping rooms of the former Yahara Center into 17 classrooms.
2002-03
MCDS Middle School is completed through eighth grade. Older students enjoy the tradition of a canoe trip on the last day of school.
2003-04
MCDS High School begins, with the addition of ninth grade, under Head of School Adam de Pencier. Enrollment reaches over 200 students.
2004-05
MCDS mascot changed from “Quest” knight to the mythical prairie hawk. First MCDS exchange students to sister school in Ecuador.
2005-06
New classroom addition and gymnasium opens. MCDS earns ISACS accreditation.
2006-07
Head of School Luke Felker awards first MCDS diplomas to the six students in the graduating class of 2007. First MCDS exchange students to sister school in Japan.
2007-08
MCDS becomes first and only Dane County school offering the IB Diploma Programme.
2008-09
First Jazz Showcase, beloved winter tradition featuring MCDS bands and guest musicians. First high school varsity team: cross country.
2009-10
First IB Diplomas are awarded to graduates in the Class of 2010. MCDS hosts first IB Art Gallery, which later includes all-school Fine Arts Festival.
2010-11
MCDS joins Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA). Prairie Hawk Merit Scholarship is launched.
2011-12
MCDS Prairie Hawk mascot is named “Rocky” (acronym for Respect, Opportunity, Courage, Kindness, and Yearning) through a student naming contest. Alumni Association launched.
2012-13
Onward magazine launches. Enrollment reaches over 300 students.
2013-14
First Rocky’s Fun Run. First “Hands On” Community Service Day.
2014-15
Enrollment reaches over 400 students by mid-year. Twelve varsity sports now offered with soccer starting in Kindergarten.
2015-16
Head of School Ben Hebebrand expands student services and begins adding department chairs for all academic departments. $6.7 million Spreading Our Wings capital campaign launches.
2016-17
New academic center opens with 15 new classrooms. New spaces include makerspace lab, lower school library & tinkerspace, and college advising center. Fight song “Onward MCDS” is launched.
2017-18
Enrollment reaches over 450. First book published by an MCDS alum.
2018-19
New lower school playground with basketball court opens.
2019-20
Interim Head of School Devon Davis opens “Hub” as new dining and collaboration space.
2020-21
Head of School Mark Brooks introduces unique Flexible by Choice program that gets school through the first year of the pandemic.
2021-22
MCDS begins 25th school year with its largest senior class of 40 and over 200 alumni. Go Hawks!