Excellent
#6 of 571 private schools in WI
Top 1% of private schools
Madison Country Day School
School
5606 RIVER RD, Waunakee, WI 53597
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on WI statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
427
Student-Teacher
7.6:1
Score
9.0
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
427
Student-Teacher
7.6:1
Score
9.0
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Waunakee
#1 of 2
public schools
Wisconsin schools
#2 of 80
About Madison Country Day School
Madison Country Day School serves pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in Waunakee, Wisconsin, within Dane County. With 427 students, 56 full-time teachers, and a 7.6:1 student-teacher ratio, the school provides a well-staffed independent K-12 education in the Madison suburbs. No standardized test data is available.
Waunakee is a rural community near a town north of Madison where median household income tops $113,000, home values average nearly $429,000, and 57% of adults hold college degrees — a growing, prosperous community that has attracted Madison-area families seeking small-town character with easy access to the capital city's cultural and economic resources. The school community is large enough to offer a range of activities and peer relationships while maintaining a connected educational environment. Families in the area reflect a community invested in their children's futures, and the school draws from a neighborhood where education is a clear priority.
The rural setting provides a quiet, unhurried environment where students can focus on learning and grow as part of a close community.
What's said publicly about Madison Country Day School
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.
Sources (1)
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 7.6:1, Madison Country Day School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
As a private school, Madison Country Day School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Located in a rural area, Madison Country Day School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Financial Overview
Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)
- Per-Pupil Spending
- Total expenses ÷ enrollment
- $28,304
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $28,477
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 1.01x — Stable
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 86%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $18.8M
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 427 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Madison Country Day School compares to 7 public schools serving similar grades in Waunakee, WI
Student Demographics
Nearby Other Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Madison Country Day School (this school) | 9.0 |
| Arboretum Elementary | 5.6 |
| Waunakee Community 4K School | 5.3 |
| Waunakee Middle | 7.6 |
| Waunakee Heritage Elementary | 7.8 |
| Waunakee High | 7.0 |
| Waunakee Prairie Elementary | 6.3 |
| Waunakee Intermediate | 7.4 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in WI.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in WI
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
5606 RIVER RD, Waunakee, WI 53597
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Madison Country Day School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Isthmus Montessori Academy Public (rated 8.2/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Madison), with a comparable rating. Another option is East High (rated 8.2/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Madison), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Waunakee Heritage Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 3.8 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Waunakee, see our Waunakee schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lindbergh Elementary Madison | 1.3 mi | 4.1 |
| Black Hawk Middle Madison | 1.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Gompers Elementary Madison | 1.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Mendota Elementary Madison | 1.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Mendota Mental Health Institution Madison | 2.1 mi | — |
| Arboretum Elementary Waunakee | 1.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Lake View Elementary Madison | 2.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Shabazz-City High Madison | 3.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Sherman Middle Madison | 3.3 mi | 6.1 |
| RICHARDSON SCHOOL Madison | 3.1 mi | — |
| Waunakee Community 4K School Waunakee | 2.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Isthmus Montessori Academy Public Madison | 3.4 mi | 8.2 |
| Emerson Elementary Madison | 4.6 mi | 6.7 |
| ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL Waunakee | 3.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Waunakee Middle Waunakee | 3.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Waunakee Heritage Elementary Waunakee | 3.8 mi | 7.8 |
| East High Madison | 4.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Waunakee High Waunakee | 3.8 mi | 7.0 |
| OPERATION FRESH START Madison | 4.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Waunakee Prairie Elementary Waunakee | 4.2 mi | 6.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 53597 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$114,542
Median Home Value
$462,900
Median Rent
$1,336/mo
Population
20,671
College Educated
57.5%
Homeownership
74.4%
Avg Commute
22.1 min
Poverty Rate
4%
Median Age
42.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Madison Country Day School has a median household income of $114,542. It is a well-educated community where 58% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $462,900, with a median rent of $1,336/month. The local poverty rate of 4.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| THE PRAIRIE SCHOOL Wind Point, WI | 8.7 |
| HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS New Berlin, WI | 8.2 |
| SHEBOYGAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sheboygan, WI | 8.2 |
| EASTBROOK ACADEMY Milwaukee, WI | 7.8 |
| ABUNDANT LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Madison, WI | 7.5 |
| Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa School Hayward, WI | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Madison Country Day School
What grades does Madison Country Day School serve?
Madison Country Day School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.
How many students attend Madison Country Day School?
Madison Country Day School has an enrollment of approximately 427 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Madison Country Day School?
The student-teacher ratio at Madison Country Day School is 7.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Madison Country Day School rank in WI?
Madison Country Day School is ranked #6 out of 571 private schools in WI.
What is Madison Country Day School's MySchoolScout rating?
Madison Country Day School has a composite rating of 9.0 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
Is Madison Country Day School a private school?
Yes, Madison Country Day School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Madison Country Day School a religious school?
No, Madison Country Day School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 12th
- Enrollment
- 427
- Gender Split
- 52% M / 48% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 57
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 7.5 hours
- Days Per Year
- 175 days
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- DANE
- Phone
- (608) 850-6000
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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