Academics at RCDS are demanding. They are also stimulating, inventive, exciting, and fun. Learn more about academics at RCDS →
RCDS students are...
With an 8:1 Student/Faculty ratio, RCDS teachers really know and connect with their students. Our teachers are innovative in their approaches to teaching and highly knowledgeable in their subject areas. Approximately 87 percent have advanced degrees, including many doctorates. Meet our faculty →
A well-defined code of conduct emphasizes respect for others, the importance of service, and academic integrity. The school-wide Public Purpose initiative promotes an integrated framework through which students learn how to contribute meaningfully to their communities, near and far. Learn more about Public Purpose at RCDS→
Our students come from more than 40 school districts throughout Westchester County, Fairfield County, and New York City. The student body is multicultural and socioeconomically diverse. RCDS has a $5.6 million annual budget for need-based financial aid, which serves 16 percent of the student body. Learn more about Diversity at RCDS →
The Athletic Program is broad enough to prepare gifted athletes to compete at the college level, while also ensuring that all students are exposed to the lifelong benefits of physical fitness and team participation. Learn more about athletics at RCDS→
The Arts are woven into the fabric of student life at RCDS. Dedicated teachers and outstanding facilities inspire passions for dance, music, theater, and the visual arts. Learn more about the Arts at RCDS →
Once an RCDS student, always an RCDS student. RCDS instills a lifelong passion for learning and for the School, evident in our highly successful, engaged and tight-knit alumni community. Learn more about RCDS alumni→
Welcome to Rye Country Day
Rye Country Day School students enjoy a challenging educational experience that combines intellectual mastery with real-world perspective. Our students are bright, articulate, and engaged. They excel academically while also exploring art, music, athletics, and many other endeavors. Throughout their years at RCDS, students discover their unique strengths, expand on their capabilities, develop their intellects, and strive for the exceptional. As a result, they are accepted into and flourish in the best colleges and universities.
RCDS at a Glance
RCDS at a Glance
- Overview
- Academics & Student Life
- Campus
- Arts
- Athletics
- Admissions, Tuition, and Financial Aid
- Summer
- Communications & Publications
- Strategic Plan & Capital Campaign
Overview
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Founded |
1869 by Susan J. Life. |
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Grades |
Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12.
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Students |
Rye Country Day has a diverse and inclusive student body.
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Motto |
“Not for Self, but for Service.” |
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Mission & Core Values |
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. Read more. Core Values R - RESPECT AND RESPONSIBILITY C – COMMITMENT TO PERSONAL & ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE D – DIVERSITY WITHIN AN INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY S – SERVICE |
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Governance |
A 26-member Board of Trustees that includes parents and alumni. |
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Financials |
Annual Operating Budget: $42.2 million |
Academics & Student Life
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Curriculum Guides |
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Student Life |
RCDS is a place where it is cool to be smart and where opportunities are almost limitless. The dress code is relaxed, but the community's sense of hard work and values are clear. Beyond the academics, athletics, arts, and community service at RCDS, there is a remarkable breadth of clubs, trips, and activities that augment the school experience. Read more. |
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Student-Parent Handbooks |
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Signature Initiatives |
Balance and Wellness |
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Average Class Size |
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Faculty |
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College Counseling & Matriculation |
The college counseling team comprises three counselors who provide students with resources and support throughout the college process. |
| After School Clubs | After school clubs are offered in the fall, winter, and spring on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. Students who participate in the extended day program may attend clubs and then go to extended day afterwards. Clubs provide a wonderful opportunity to get to know teachers in a different way, to learn something new, and to have fun with friends after school. More.
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| Extended Day Program |
The Extended Day Program runs Monday through Friday, from 2:55 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., and is open to Lower School Students of dual full time working parents, single working full time parents and faculty members. More. |
| Dining Information | We partner with FLIK Dining Services to provide healthy, delicious, fresh, and well-balanced meals to our community. The Dining Room features a well-stocked salad bar, a yogurt bar, healthy beverage choices, a sandwich station, and a chef-prepared entrée station. There is also a Lower School Dining Room that features age and size-appropriate tables, chairs and serving areas. The monthly menu is available under Quicklinks. Hot breakfast is served for free everyday before school to MS and US students. The provided lunch plan is optional, though highly recommended. FLIK is dedicated to working with families. There are many allergy-friendly options, and we are a peanut aware community.
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Campus
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Location |
Rye Country Day is conveniently located at the intersection of I-95 and I-287, 25 miles from Manhattan. The School is one block from the Rye Metro North station.
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Hours | Pre-K - Grade 4: 8:15 a.m. - 3:05 p.m. Optional extended day until 5:30 p.m. |
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Schedule |
All three divisions of RCDS operate on a six-day cycle rather than a five-day week. This system of class rotation gives students more time to pursue elective courses, meet with teachers, schedule co-curricular activities, and connect with friends. To see what day of the cycle it is, view the school calendar. |
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Facilities |
The 26-acre campus includes academic buildings; two libraries; administrative buildings; a separate performing arts center with classrooms, music rooms, a dance studio and a 450-seat theater-auditorium; a 23,000 square-foot innovative creative arts center; a 40,000 square-foot athletic center; and 4 turf fields. Two dining rooms serve lunch every day; the MS/US Dining Room is open for snacks in the morning and afternoon. |
Arts
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Offerings |
RCDS offers classes and programming in dance, drama, music, and visual arts. The Performing Arts Center is always humming with activity, with several performances scheduled throughout the year. See Arts News. |
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Facilities |
The Cohen Center for the Creative Arts, a 23,000 square-foot innovative creative arts center, was built in 2018. This state-of-the-art facility, brings together the disciplines to inspire new ways of thinking, collaborating, and innovating. The Edward B. Dunn Performing Arts Center is the centerpiece of music, drama, and dance activity at Rye Country Day School. Built in 1990, the PAC features a 450-seat theater, a dance studio with a sprung floor, separate choral and band practice rooms, and four private music lesson studios. Each division has a developmentally appropriate, visual arts classroom. |
Athletics
Mascot: The Rye Country Day School Wildcats.png){kind=spacer} |
Willy the Wildcat is our beloved mascot who cheers on our teams and tweets from the sidelines. |
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Teams |
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Physical Education |
Physical Education is required for Lower and Middle School students. In the Upper School, students must play on a team or take P.E. More. |
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Facilities |
Athletic facilities include four artificial turf fields; the Scott A. Nelson Athletic Center (2000), which houses a two-court gymnasium, four squash courts, four locker rooms, an athletic training facility, a state-of-the-art fitness center and a multipurpose gymnasium that serves as the home for the wrestling and fencing programs; the LaGrange Field House (1972) with its indoor ice rink/tennis courts. |
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Spring Training |
Spring Break sports training trips are offered for Upper School students. Each year, more than half of the Upper School participates in a sports training trip. |
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June Camps |
At the start of every summer, middle and upper school athletes have the opportunity to participate in an intensive week of training with a Rye Country Day coach for a specific sport. |
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College Athletes |
Many Rye Country Day athletes have gone on to outstanding collegiate careers. |
Admissions, Tuition, and Financial Aid
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Applying |
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Key Entry Points |
Pre-K, K, Grade 4, Grade 6, and Grade 9. See typical enrollment chart in Admissions FAQ. |
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Key Numbers |
2018-19 |
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Financial Aid |
16% of the student body receives financial aid totaling $5.9 million |
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Tuition |
Tuition ranges from $38,400 in Pre-Kindergarten to $46,900 in the Upper School. View complete schedule of tuition and fees. |
Summer
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Wildcat Mini-Camp |
Open to Rye Country Day students in the Lower and Middle schools. Camps run from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., Monday through Friday, for two weeks after the close of the academic year. More. |
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June Sports Camps |
At the start of every summer, Rye Country Day athletes have the opportunity to participate in an intensive week of training with a Rye Country Day coach for a specific sport. More. |
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ACTION |
ACTION is an academic enrichment program during the month of July at Rye Country Day School for highly motivated public school students entering grades 7, 8, or 9. ACTION seeks to expand the academic and intellectual horizons of bright, motivated, and responsible students from local communities that may not have the resources available to provide such summer programs. More. |
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Summer Session |
A co-educational summer school for students in grades 5 through 12. It runs from late June to early August and offers an opportunity to develop areas of special interest, explore new ideas, earn advance credit, or review subjects that need strengthening. Summer Session is open to qualified students from any school. More. |
Communications & Publications
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The Bulletin |
The RCDS Bulletin is published twice a year and features on-campus news, athletics updates, faculty profiles, alumni class notes, and other relevant information about what is happening at Rye Country Day. The Bulletin is mailed to all RCDS families, and is also available on the Publications page. |
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Excellence Newsletter |
At the end of each academic year, RCDS publishes the Excellence Newsletter, featuring the matriculation list, accomplishments, and awards of RCDS students. |
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E-Communications |
The Division Principals send E-Notes to parents every Friday via e-mail. These highlight key events happening throughout each division and also include messages from the Parents Association. On a monthly basis, each division writes a Principal's Column that focuses on a relevant educational topic. Twice a month news and achievements are shared via "In Case You Missed It" emails. The faculty rely on e-mail as a primary mode of communicating important information and announcements. In the younger grades, the classroom teachers, as well as the special area teachers, maintain grade-level Haiku pages, where they post curriculum information and newsletters, highlight special events, share student work, and often post photos of the students working and enjoying the school day. The Alumni E-Newsletter is e-mailed approximately once each month. |
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Website and Website Alerts |
The website features an alert system for the calendar, specific sports teams, and news announcements. Visit the calendar page, athletics pages, or news pages to set up e-mail or text message alerts. |
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Weather related and other important announcements |
The Head of School uses an automated calling and text-message system to alert families of weather related closures and delays, as well as other critical all-school announcements. These announcements will also be posted on the homepage of the website. |
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Family Portal |
Vital links to report cards, forms, password protected media, and event information are available via a family login. Families receive one username and password that allows them to access information for all of their children enrolled in the School, throughout their time in the school. |
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Social Media |
Rye Country Day is active on several social media sites. Visit us on: |