Joining Einstein School

We enroll children ages 2½ to 5 year-round, as space allows, with an after-school program for school-age children. Families join us from across Madison, Middleton, Fitchburg, and Verona.

Attendance options

Monthly (full time)

Monday–Friday, 7:30 am–6:00 pm. A full day of language, music, academics, and play in one place — with breakfast and lunch cooked on-site and included.

Half-Day

Mornings (7:30 am–1:00 pm, through lunch) or afternoons (1:00–6:00 pm), Monday–Friday.

Daily

Day-by-day flexible attendance for Einstein alumni and enrolled families covering planned vacations — including MMSD winter and spring breaks, when we stay open.

After School (ages 6+)

School days, 3:00–6:00 pm. Not a holding pen: academics in math and bilingual language arts, group singing with optional violin, a weekly art project, and plenty of physical play — dance, martial arts, free play. Families arrange transportation to Einstein. Daily rate discussed at your visit.

We're closed on federal holidays — and open during MMSD winter and spring breaks, when working families need us most.

How enrollment works

  1. Visit the school

    Join us at an open house — or book a private tour if the dates don’t work. Meet the teachers, see the classrooms, ask anything.

  2. Choose your schedule

    Monthly, half-day, or daily — we’ll confirm availability for your child’s age group.

  3. Reserve your child’s place

    A one-time enrollment fee plus your first month’s tuition guarantees your child’s spot, and we’ll set your start date. We’ll go over the exact figures at your visit. Registration is completed at the school office.

Questions families ask

What ages do you enroll?

The preschool enrolls children from 2½ (30 months) through 5 years old. Our after-school program serves school-age children 6 and up.

How does Einstein compare to free MMSD 4K?

MMSD's 4K is a good public program of a few hours a day. Families choose Einstein for what 4K can't offer: one place from 7:30 to 6:00, daily Mandarin, violin and piano instruction, and ratios as low as 1:8. Many of our families treat Einstein as their 4K year — and their children walk into kindergarten ahead.

Does my child need to speak Chinese?

No. Most skills are taught in both languages, and children absorb Mandarin naturally regardless of what’s spoken at home. Beginners simply begin; heritage speakers deepen what they have.

We don’t speak Mandarin at home — will my child struggle?

No. Nothing at Einstein depends on Mandarin from home: every skill is taught in both languages, and our teachers meet each child at their own starting point — beginners begin with sounds, songs, and counting, and build from there. At this age children absorb a second language the way they absorbed their first: by living in it a little every day. You don’t need to speak a word of Mandarin to raise a child who does.

Does my child need to be potty trained?

Ideally, yes — but if you’re still working on it, that’s fine. We’ll support the process.

Do you provide breakfast and lunch?

Yes — both are cooked on-site and included in tuition, along with snacks. We collect every child’s allergy information at enrollment, keep it posted in our kitchen, avoid stocking tree nuts and peanuts, and prepare allergen-free alternatives whenever a menu doesn’t work for a child.

What should we send from home?

Very little: sunblock, and clothing and shoes that fit the Wisconsin weather — we’re outside every day it allows.

What are your teacher-to-student ratios?

Between 1:8 and 1:13, depending on age group.

Do you accept Wisconsin Shares?

Yes. Einstein School participates in Wisconsin’s YoungStar program and accepts Wisconsin Shares — several of our current families use it. Mention it when you reserve your visit and we’ll walk you through how it works.

Tuition & fees

Tuition depends on your child's schedule — full-time, half-day, or flexible daily — and includes breakfast, lunch, and everything in the program (Mandarin, music, art, and outdoor time; no à-la-carte add-ons). We'll walk you through current rates, our simple enrollment and materials fees, and the sibling discount when you visit — at an open house or your private tour — along with availability for your child's age group. No pressure, no obligation.

Start with a visit.