A Pre-Kindergarten - Grade 12 co-educational independent day school in Westchester County, New York

Rye Country Day School

Our Mission

Rye Country Day School is a coeducational, college preparatory school dedicated to providing students from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 with an excellent education using both traditional and innovative approaches. In a nurturing and supportive environment, we offer a challenging program that stimulates individuals to achieve their maximum potential through academic, athletic, creative, and social endeavors. We are actively committed to diversity. We expect and promote moral responsibility and strive to develop strength of character within a respectful school community. Our goal is to foster a lifelong passion for learning, understanding, and service in an ever-changing world.

RCDS Learning Outcomes

Portrait of a Graduate

Students emerge from RCDS with strength of character, ready to engage in continuous learning, to show kindness and empathy, to adapt and thrive within a changing global context, to contribute meaningfully to their communities large and small, and to find joy and fulfillment in life. Experiences that promote these outcomes are woven throughout the program with increasing complexity and expectations.

Character

RCDS students cultivate strength of character through the development of social and emotional intelligences, strong and positive moral compasses, and passionate and principled actions

Character in Action

Knowledge

RCDS students acquire and use knowledge in complex and meaningful ways. They transfer and apply their understandings beyond disciplines to address novel, real-world questions.

Knowledge in Action

Skills

RCDS students practice skills and habits essential for wellness and success in college, in work, and in life, including communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, and adaptability.

Skills in Action

Citizenship

RCDS students make a positive difference in the world as aware, engaged, and purpose-driven citizens.

Citizenship in Action

RCDS Stories

Our Motto: Not For Self, But For Service

Our School

Academics

Arts

Athletics

Beyond RCDS

Our School

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RCDS draws students from 43 school districts. The School is an easy walk from the Metro-North station, and 55 students take the train each day.

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RCDS was founded in 1869 by Susan J. Life. Her motto was "Not for Self, but for Service" and her philosophy was that teaching should be personal and relationship-based.

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We are a diverse community of 969 curious and engaged students; 16% receive financial aid; 49.5% self-identify as people of color. 

Academics

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Approximately an 7:1 student to teacher ratio across the School

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Upper School average class size is 12

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143 full-time teachers

Arts

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State of the Art Facilities: 2 Art Studios, 2 Theaters, Dance Studio, Videography Studio, Manual Arts Studio

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6 Art Exhibitions per year

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23 Musical Performances per year

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6 Drama & Dance Productions per year

Athletics

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68 Interscholastic Sports teams

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Approximately 80% of Upper School students participate in at least one team sport

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38 championships in the past 5 years

Beyond RCDS

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100% of graduates enroll in college

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From 2021-2025, the top college matriculation choices were: Cornell University (27), Colgate University (18), Northwestern University (17), Georgetown University (15), University of Chicago (14), and University of Pennsylvania (14).

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7,322 alumni make up the RCDS network

Living Our Mission

Our programs answer the question ‘How can we make our school better?’ by seeking ways to advance and embed our mission and values throughout the Rye Country Day curriculum and community.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At RCDS, we act deliberately to create and sustain a diverse community that values equity and inclusion.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Public Purpose

Through critical service learning, our students become active and engaged participants in shaping a more equitable and just world.

Public Purpose

Health & Wellness

Cultivating the skills + awareness to live and learn with balance, health, and joy. 

Health & Wellness

Global Studies

Through global studies, students develop a deep understanding of other perspectives and of themselves.

Global Studies

S.T.E.A.M.

Inspiring innovation, creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving.

S.T.E.A.M.

Center for Innovative Teaching & Learning

Teaching and Learning projects drive the evolution of our program to ensure transformative experiences for all of our students.

Center for Innovative Teaching & Learning

Sustainability

We commit to being stewards of our planet.

Sustainability

Educational Technology

Learning technology builds problem solving mindsets, resourcefulness, adaptability, and creativity.

Educational Technology