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
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.
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.
Citizenship
RCDS students make a positive difference in the world as aware, engaged, and purpose-driven citizens.
Our Motto: Not For Self, But For Service
Our School
Academics
Arts
Athletics
Beyond RCDS
Our School
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.
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.
We are a diverse community of 900+ curious and engaged students; 16% receive financial aid; 39% self-identify as people of color.
Academics
7:1 student to teacher ratio
Upper school average class size is 15
85% of faculty hold advanced degrees
Hy-flex technology and blended teaching mean learning continues even when students are not on campus
Arts
State of the art facilities: 2 art studios, 2 theaters, dance studio, videography studio, manual arts studio
10 Art Exhibitions per year
9 Musical Performances per year
6 of Drama & Dance Productions per year
Athletics
70 Interscholastic Sports teams
Approximately 84% of Upper School students participate in at least one team sport
1,100 games per year
25 championships in the past 5 years
Beyond RCDS
104 colleges and universities with current RCDS alumni
85% of faculty hold advanced degrees
97% of alumni surveyed say they were very well prepared for college
6,700+ 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.
Diversity & Inclusion
We are actively committed to diversity.
Public Purpose
“Not for Self, but for Service.”
Health & Wellness
A balanced and healthy lifestyle is vital.
Global Studies
Developing a deep understanding of other perspectives.
S.T.E.A.M.
Combining disciplines to solve real world problems.
Institute for Innovative Teaching & Learning
Innovating for the future.
Sustainability
Our responsibility as citizens of the planet.
Educational Technology
The skills and tools students need for today and the future.