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Making MCDS Affordable

Madison Country Day School works individually and confidentially to offer various payment plans, Tuition Assistance/Tailored Tuition and merit scholarships to bring an MCDS education within financial reach. 

Tuition Assistance/Tailored Tuition

MCDS has a robust Tuition Assistance/Tailored Tuition program that supports efforts to enroll qualified students regardless of financial status. MCDS values socioeconomic diversity and strives to enroll students from varying financial backgrounds to reflect the surrounding community.  We have launched Tailored Tuition to break down barriers that prevent families from exploring if MCDS could be the right school for their child(ren) to learn and grow.

Families with children entering kindergarten through grade 12 are able to apply for tuition assistance/ tailored tuition annually through the Clarity application which asks questions about the demands on a families budget. Eligibility is determined by considering multiple factors such as income, student loans, business ownership, assets, multiple children at a tuition charging school, caring for elderly family members, change in job status, other debt and more. 

Apply for Tailored Tuition via Clarity

 

Tuition Ranges

 

Rising Hawk Scholarship

The Rising Hawk Scholarship program is a merit scholarship available to new students applying to MCDS for grades 5-11. Recipients have demonstrated a commitment to their community by getting involved and developing skills that show a fierce work ethic. 

Learn more about the Rising Hawk Scholarship

 

Reimbursements and Tax Benefits

Learn more about reimbursements and tax benefits

 

 

32%

of MCDS families receive Tuition Assistance / Tailored Tuition.

K–12

grades are eligible for Tuition Assistance / Tailored Tuition.

$8,000

Average Financial Aid Award

130

students received an award in the 2023-24 school year.

 

 

Tuition Assistance / Tailored Tuition
Case Studies

These case studies are only examples. Every family situation is different, and our process ensures we consider each family's unique circumstances.

 

Case Study #1

Beth and Larry have two children, ages 5 and 7; both at MCDS

  • Combined adjusted gross income is $78,000
  • They have a total of $51,000 in retirement and savings
  • Other factors considered by Clarity: student loans and mortgage

 

Tailored Tuition for each child at MCDS:
$5,000

 

Case Study #2

Lois and Steve have one child, age 16

  • Combined adjusted gross income is $122,000
  • They have a total of $247,000 in retirement, savings, investments and real estate
  • Other factors considered by Clarity: post retirement contributions and debt

Tailored Tuition at MCDS:
$11,000

Case Study #3

James and Paul have two children, ages 11 and 13 both at MCDS

  • Combined adjusted gross income is $220,000
  • They have a total of $880,000 in retirement, savings, investments and real estate
  • Other factors considered by Clarity: mortgage, medical fees and legal fees

 

Tailored Tuition for each child at MCDS:
$14,500
 

Case Study #4

Alex and Casey have three children, ages 8, 10 and 12; all at MCDS
  • Combined adjusted gross income is $280,000
  • They have a total of $950,000 in retirement, savings, investments and real estate
  • Other factors considered by Clarity: childcare costs and student loans

Tailored Tuition for each child at MCDS:
Family does not qualify for Tailored Tuition and pays full tuition rate

 

 

2024-25
Tuition by Division

Pre-Kindergarten

 

2024-25 Tuition:

$19,184

 

Pre-Kindergarten students are not eligible for Tuition Assistance / Tailored Tuition.

 

Payment Plans:

Pre-K Tuition payment plans

View PDF of payment plans

 

Additional Fees

There are both required and optional fees that apply to each MCDS student, and your student’s final fees depend on uniforms, lunch choices, athletic participation, extracurriculars, and other program selections. Financial aid is available upon request for all additional fees. Once a student is enrolled at MCDS, we are committed to the student receiving the full MCDS experience regardless of financial circumstances. 

Pre-K-Grade 4

Required:
  • School supplies
  • $100 annual Parent Guild Fee. The fee will allow Parent Guild to focus on its mission of building community and fostering volunteerism instead of fundraising.
Optional:
  • Bus transportation
  • Lunch
  • Milk
  • School portraits
  • Yearbook
  • Extended Day program
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Summer Discovery program (June through August)
  • Annual Fund donation

 

Kindergarten

 

2024-25 Tuition:

$20,575

 

 

Payment Plans:

K payment plans

View PDF of payment plans

 

K Tailored Tuition ranges from:
 

K tuition range

 

Additional Fees

There are both required and optional fees that apply to each MCDS student, and your student’s final fees depend on uniforms, lunch choices, athletic participation, extracurriculars, and other program selections. Financial aid is available upon request for all additional fees. Once a student is enrolled at MCDS, we are committed to the student receiving the full MCDS experience regardless of financial circumstances. 

Pre-K-Grade 4

Required:
  • Uniforms, our MCDS used uniform sales provide many discounted options. (Not required for Pre-K)
  • School supplies
  • $100 annual Parent Guild Fee. The fee will allow Parent Guild to focus on its mission of building community and fostering volunteerism instead of fundraising.
Optional:
  • Bus transportation
  • Lunch
  • Milk
  • School portraits/yearbook
  • Extended Day program
  • Extracurricular activities, theatre productions, and athletics
  • Music competition 
  • Summer Discovery program (June through August)
  • Annual Fund donation

Grades 1–4 (Lower School)

 

2024-25 Tuition:

$22,713

 

Payment Plans:

LS payment plans

View PDF of payment plans

 

Lower School Tailored Tuition ranges from:
 

LS tuition range

 

Additional Fees

There are both required and optional fees that apply to each MCDS student, and your student’s final fees depend on uniforms, lunch choices, athletic participation, extracurriculars, and other program selections. Financial aid is available upon request for all additional fees. Once a student is enrolled at MCDS, we are committed to the student receiving the full MCDS experience regardless of financial circumstances. 

Pre-K-Grade 4

Required:
  • Uniforms, our MCDS used uniform sales provide many discounted options. (Not required for Pre-K)
  • School supplies
  • $100 annual Parent Guild Fee. The fee will allow Parent Guild to focus on its mission of building community and fostering volunteerism instead of fundraising.
Optional:
  • Bus transportation
  • Lunch
  • Milk
  • School portraits/yearbook
  • Extended Day program
  • Extracurricular activities, theatre productions, and athletics
  • Music competition 
  • Summer Discovery program (June through August)
  • Annual Fund donation

Grades 5–8 (Middle School)

 

2024-25 Tuition:

$23,473

 

Payment Plans:

MS payment plans

View PDF of payment plans

 

Middle School Tailored Tuition ranges from:
 

MS tuition range

 

Additional Fees

There are both required and optional fees that apply to each MCDS student, and your student’s final fees depend on uniforms, lunch choices, athletic participation, extracurriculars, and other program selections. Financial aid is available upon request for all additional fees. Once a student is enrolled at MCDS, we are committed to the student receiving the full MCDS experience regardless of financial circumstances. 

Grade 5-8

Required:
  • Uniforms, our MCDS used uniform sales provide many discounted options.
  • School supplies
  • Technology Fee: MCDS will provide students in grades five through eight with a Chromebook including pre-loaded applications and licences. The chromebook price for all new MS students will be $350/student. This price includes the chromebook, case, and minor repairs.
  • $100 annual Parent Guild Fee. The fee will allow Parent Guild to focus on its mission of building community and fostering volunteerism instead of fundraising.
Optional:
  • Bus transportation
  • Lunch
  • Milk
  • School portraits/yearbook
  • Extended Day program
  • Extracurricular activities, theatre productions, and athletics
  • Eighth grade class trip to Washington, DC (student fundraising can offset this expense)
  • Various music program expenses (instrument rental, music competition fees, etc.)
  • Summer Discovery program (June through August)
  • Annual Fund donation

Grades 9–12 (High School)

 

2024-25 Tuition:

$24,601

 

Payment Plans:

HS payment plans

View PDF of payment plans

 

High School Tailored Tuition ranges from:
 

HS tuition range

 

Additional Fees

There are both required and optional fees that apply to each MCDS student, and your student’s final fees depend on uniforms, lunch choices, athletic participation, extracurriculars, and other program selections. Financial aid is available upon request for all additional fees. Once a student is enrolled at MCDS, we are committed to the student receiving the full MCDS experience regardless of financial circumstances. 

Grade 9-12

Required:
  • School supplies
  • Laptop or Chromebook
  • Graduation fee (grade 12 only)
  • $100 annual Parent Guild Fee. The fee will allow Parent Guild to focus on its mission of building community and fostering volunteerism instead of fundraising.
Optional:
  • Bus transportation
  • Lunch
  • Milk
  • School portraits/yearbook
  • Extracurricular activities, theatre productions, and sports
  • Various music program expenses (instrument rental, music (competition fees, etc.)
  • Dances/Socials (Prom, Homecoming, etc.)
  • Exchange programs with Ecuador, Spain or Japan (student fundraising can offset this expense)
  • IB Diploma testing fees (required for IB Diploma candidate students only)
  • Annual Fund donation

 

 

 

Reimbursements and
Tax Benefits

 

 

Wisconsin Tuition Tax Deduction

Parents may deduct up to $4,000 of tuition per student in grades Kindergarten through eight, and up to $10,000 of tuition per high school student. Use the identifying number (FEIN) 39-1832986 for the Schedule PS Private School Tuition form.

 

 

Use of Section 529 Plans to Pay Tuition

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 contains a provision that allows use of Section 529 savings to pay for private K-12 education up to $10,000 per year, per child starting in 2018. Establishing and funding a Section 529 plan can provide significant tax benefits. See your investment advisor and CPA for more information.

 

 

Transportation Reimbursement

Reimbursement for your transportation expenses may be available depending on your home school district. Qualifying districts in Dane County include:

  • Madison Metropolitan

  • Middleton-Cross Plains

  • Waunakee

  • Deforest

Commutes need to be further than two miles and other restrictions may apply.  Please check with your district.

 

 

Tuition Assistance / Tailored Tuition
Timeline

New Families:

Step 1: Apply

Submit application for Tuition Assistance / Tailored Tuition via Clarity at the same time as the application for admission.

Step 2: Decision

Most admission decisions and Tuition Assistance / Tailored Tuition decisions are communicated 2-3 weeks after submission.

Step 3: Award Letter

Award letter is sent to families communicating the Tuition Assistance / Tailored Tuition rate.

Step 4: Contract

5-7 days after award letter, contract is due

Step 5: Deposit

Deposit will be due on February 1 or 10-14 days from date of contract being signed, whichever is later.

Returning MCDS Families:

Step 1: Apply

Submit application for Tuition Assistance / Tailored Tuition via Clarity by January 8, 2024 to receive notification of award letter by January 26, 2024

Step 2: Deposit

Deposit will be due on February 1 or 10-14 days from date of award letter, whichever is later.