PRINTIntroduction to GCDS
Preparing Leaders for the 21st Century
Academic Excellence
Today, academic rigor encompasses new skills and knowledge. Mastering core academic skills—language development, reading, writing, mathematics, and science—remains essential, but true success requires a much broader skill set.
The rapid pace of change puts a new premium on skills such as the ability to think critically, identify relevant information in a flood of data, and adapt to new situations. There is a growing demand for incisive problem solvers who know how to work collaboratively, harness the power of creativity, and stay focused in the face of difficult challenges. And in our highly interconnected world, individuals with a global perspective and broad cultural intelligence have greater opportunities for success.
That is why at Country Day we are committed to high academic standards that prepare students in all these areas, ensuring that they have not only the knowledge, but also the skills to succeed in today’s world.
Lower School
Nursery - Grade 3
Engaging and imaginative, the Lower School program accelerates student learning by cultivating their natural curiosity.
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Middle School
Grades 4 - 6
The Middle School curriculum is carefully calibrated to provide a series of incremental challenges that spark intellectual growth and build confidence.
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Upper School
Grades 7 - 9
The focus of Upper School academics is rigorous preparation for high school, college, and beyond. Learn more >
Character & Leadership
Headmaster Rohdie with award recipients from the graduating class of 2012.
"By any measure,” notes Headmaster Rohdie in A Year Like No Other, “graduates of Country Day are successful. And underlying it all, harder to name and impossible to quantify but always present, guiding and motivating their actions, is the force of their character."
The development of character has been at the heart of a Country Day education since the school’s founding in 1926. Our rigorous academic program and strong sense of community are built upon this foundation of responsibility and integrity.
Character & Community
Strength of character has been at the heart of Country Day's program since its founding in 1926. Learn more >
TIGER PRIDE
The TIGER PRIDE program offers a memorable way to understand and practice the qualities of strong character. Learn more >
Grade 9 Leadership
During ninth grade, our students experience a degree of responsibility and leadership rare among first-year high school students.
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The Nursery - Grade 9 Advantage
Country Day's unique focus on students in nursery through grade nine allows us to direct all our resources, expertise, and training to developing these formative years.
In addition, by purposefully choosing to offer a nursery through grade 9 educational experience:
- GCDS enables students to grow and develop confidence in a caring and supportive environment buffered from the increased social pressures of high school.
- GCDS entrusts ninth grade students with a degree of responsibility and leadership rare among first-year high school students.
As a result, our students graduate with greater confidence and leadership skills. They are independent learners with the curiosity, personal initiative, resilience, focus, and integrity to excel throughout high school, college, and beyond.
For me, the multitude of opportunities for GCDS ninth graders fostered leadership skills that were vital throughout high school." - Jessie Stuart '07, Greenwich Academy '10, Stanford University '14
