Hickory Hill Academy

Our Vision: Cultivating Compassionate Leaders Our Mission: Hickory Hill Academy cultivates children`s growth in a stimulating and compassionate environment. Our supportive teachers engage the curiosities and needs of each child, fostering self-esteem, the confidence needed to benefit from our robust academic programs, and the interest to embark on a journey of lifelong learning.
Our focus on empathy, character, and individual well-being encourages our children to envision how they will serve their community beyond the expanse of our campus.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Top Ranked WI School
  • Grades: Nursery/Preschool-8
  • Enrollment: 333 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $13,025
  • Acceptance rate: 90%
  • Average class size: 20 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

School News

Top Rankings

Hickory Hill Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Wisconsin for:

School Overview

Grades Offered
Grades Nursery/Preschool-8
Year Founded
1996
Summer School Offered
Yes
Summer Program Details

Student Body

Total Students
333 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
20%
State avg.: 34%
Students by Grade
Hickory Hill Academy Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
70 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
5:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
97%
Average Class Size
20 students
Classroom Dress Code
Casual

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
Tuition Notes
Tuition rates for students in preschool classrooms will vary.
Summer Program Cost
$2,340
Summer Program Cost Notes
Tuition rates vary depending on schedule, age, and number of sessions.
% on Financial Aid
15%
Acceptance Rate
90%
National avg.: 85%
Admissions Director
Jenny Dahl
Admissions Associate
Jami Wilhelm

Sports

Total Sports Offered
5 sports

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
14 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Chess Club, Culinary Club, Drama Club, Girls on the Run, Guitar Class, LEGO Robotics Club, Mandarin Class, Open Art Studio, Robotics Club, Spanish Class, Stem Club, Tri 4 Schools

Arts and Music Programs:
Private Music Lessons, Strings Program

School Notes

  • Hickory Hill Academy (HHA) is the only independent, private school in Dane County serving children as infantsthrough 8thgrade. Located in the Madison Area on 10-acre campusproviding quality education and strong academics forinfantand toddler childcare, preschool and 4K, private elementary and middle school, and a summer camp for children up throughage 12. Our unique enrichmentprograms and qualified teachers help children to build strong foundations inpre-academic/academic skills,as well as in social aptitude, self-esteem, and much more. We are a family-owned schoolofferingchildren a myriad of remarkable learning experiences.
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Hickory Hill Academy cost?
Hickory Hill Academy's tuition is approximately $13,025 for private students and $2,340 for summer students.
What is the acceptance rate of Hickory Hill Academy?
The acceptance rate of Hickory Hill Academy is 90%, which is lower than the national average of 93%. Hickory Hill Academy's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in Wisconsin with low acceptance rates.
Does Hickory Hill Academy offer a summer program?
Yes, Hickory Hill Academy offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What sports does Hickory Hill Academy offer?
Hickory Hill Academy offers 5 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Cheering, Flag Football, Softball and Volleyball.
What is Hickory Hill Academy's ranking?
Hickory Hill Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Wisconsin for: Lowest average acceptance rates, Highest percentage of faculty with advanced degrees, Largest student body and Most extracurriculars offered.
When is the application deadline for Hickory Hill Academy?
The application deadline for Hickory Hill Academy is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).

School Reviews

  5.00 out of 5  (10 reviews)
5  
My children attended HHA at the start of the 2020 school year and enrolled before the new building was complete. During that time we loved the way our children got to learn compared to the previous school they were at. The curriculum was really engaging for them and the teachers were very passionate as well. This helped make learning so much fun for our kids. Now fast forward to 2023 and we are still enrolled but in their new building. This was icing on the cake as the teachers, administration, and curriculum were already really impressive and positive. The new building for K-8th grade has been more than our family could imagine for a school experience and it's so easy to see how this wonderful program is going to thrive even more now that they have additional space and resources to use. With that said, I will say that it's not just a pretty building or a big campus. You really get it all here with people who care and love their jobs. Teachers build beautiful relationships with students and enjoy watching them find their love for learning.
- Posted by
5  
Great school with a great community! Facilities are amazing, teachers and all staff are kind, open, and supportive of the kids and each other.
- Posted by
5  
I can't say enough about Hickory Hill Academy. Both of our kids have been in the public school system, and we honestly never thought about sending our kids to private school. However, both of our kids went to preschool and 4K at Hickory Hill (formerly Kids Express Learning Center) and had an amazing experience, so when we found out about their Elementary program we were so excited! It was definitely a big decision to change schools, but we have been so incredibly happy with not only the quality of the curriculum, but their entire mission and vision. I am continuously impressed by the communication and the feeling of community in the school, even throughout the pandemic. The teachers are wonderful, and I absolutely love that they focus on being compassionate leaders. We couldn't be happier seeing our children thrive in such a wonderful school!
- Posted by
5  
Both of my children are attending Hickory Hill Academy, and I could not be more pleased with the experience. I have a 1st and 3rd grader both receiving personalized care in a small classroom setting with two teachers. At Hickory Hill, my children are both thriving academically, and offered opportunities through the curriculum that have far exceeded my expectations. From being on a campus that allows them to learn and grow outdoors (there is an old bus in the wooded area their team and amazing science teacher retrofitted into a classroom) to learning Spanish & Mandarin in the program, to expanding their love of reading through the classroom focus. We have seen confidence gained in both of our children through attending HHA and are extremely pleased to be a part of this community.
- Posted by
5  
Kids Express has exceeded our expectations. The teachers are awesome and personalize their care toward the children. They are always giving us updates on our 17 month old regarding words she says, connections she makes, food she likes/dislikes, and shares pictures/video frequently. The campus is beautiful. It's relatively expensive and doesn't have a meal program like other places, but you get great facilities, fantastic teachers, and great care for your child. Worth every penny.
- Posted by
5  
This is the best place to bring your child in Madison! My son has been attending Kids Express for several months now and I am more than pleased with my experience. The classroom is clean and inviting. I have had great communication with his teachers and they have been extremely helpful with any questions I''ve had. When I''ve had the chance to sit in my son's classroom and observe what his day is like, it just warmed my heart! I could see that he was enjoying his day, learning and engaging with both his peers and his teachers! I would recommend this school to anyone!
- Posted by
5  
KELC is an amazing place for daycare in Madison. When we moved to Madison with our one-year-old, we scheduled appointments to visit as many daycare facilities as we could but stopped our search after visiting KELC. The teachers in all of the classrooms so far have been superb you can tell in your child's reaction to saying a teacher's name just how much they like the teachers as people as well as educators. Additionally, the grounds themselves are awesome the emphasis placed on nature, animals, and gardening is something that we value and KELC thoroughly provides. Some days it is hard to leave because our daughter wants to keep feeding leaves to the goats. Amusingly, a relative keeps commenting on how our children won't have anything remaining to learn once they get to kindergarten the teachers and curricula are certainly effective. All in all we love KELC for our children and couldn't imagine sending them anywhere else.
- Posted by
5  
We are so lucky to be able to send our son to Kids Express! He's 2 1/2 and has been attending Kids Express since he was 3 months old. All of his teachers have been amazing and he is so excited to go to school every day! He's made great friends and loves Mr. Rich's nature class. We love the weekly emails and constant teacher communication, always sharing photos and letting us know how our little guy is doing. We couldn't ask for a better place to send our son.
- Posted by
5  
My 2 kids have attended KELC for 5 years. They both attended the preschool program as well as Summer on the Farm for school aged kids. There is no better place on the planet to place your kids throughout their developmental years. From the teachers to the front office to the facilities and to the curriculum, it is a world class operation.
- Posted by
5  
KELC is a fabulous learning environment for pre-k children. It provides multiple subject learning with extra activities to enrich their day. The teachers are always open to discussion and offer a thorough review of each child. A wonderful place for kids to grow.
- Posted by

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Top Ranked WI School
  • Grades: Nursery/Preschool-8
  • Enrollment: 333 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $13,025
  • Acceptance rate: 90%
  • Average class size: 20 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Madison, WI is $8,651 for elementary schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Madison, WI is 82% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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