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

Rye Country Day School

RCDS: A Community of Learners

committed to character, knowledge, skills, and citizenship.

Why do students choose RCDS?

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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
Character in Action

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
Knowledge in Action

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
Skills in Action

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
Citizenship in Action

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 89 different zip codes. The School is an easy walk from the Metro-North station, and over 100 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 900+ curious and engaged students; 16% receive financial aid; 35% self-identify as people of color. 

Academics

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8:1 student to teacher ratio

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Upper school average class size is 15

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87% of faculty hold advanced degrees

Hy-flex technology and blended teaching mean learning continues even when students are not on campus

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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10 Art Exhibitions per year

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9 of Musical Performances per year

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6 of 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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1,100 games per year

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37 championships in the past 5 years

Beyond RCDS

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110 colleges and universities with current  RCDS alumni

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87% of faculty hold advanced degrees

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97% of alumni surveyed say they were very well prepared for college

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6,597 alumni network

Living Our Mission

Our signature initiatives 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.

Global Studies

Developing a deep understanding of other perspectives.

Global Studies

S.T.E.A.M.

Combining disciplines to solve real world problems.

S.T.E.A.M.

Institute for Innovative Teaching & Learning

Innovating for the future.

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Sustainability

Our responsibility as citizens of the planet.

Sustainability