Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Learn More About the RCDS Mission and Philosophy

RCDS has three divisions, each focused on the different cognitive and emotional needs of students as they progress from early childhood to pre-adulthood.

The Lower School offers a nurturing environment that focuses on citizenship skills; the Middle School is structured to be responsive to students in a transitional time; and the Upper School models a vigorous and affirming environment that prepares students to achieve excellence at the college level.

Our philosophy states, "A superior education embraces the concept that to educate is to do more than to teach. We regard the student as a whole person and seek to assist each in fulfilling his or her potential for personal growth by providing an environment that nourishes cultural, social, and physical needs, as well as moral and ethical sensitivities, thus helping our young men and women to define an image of themselves that they can accept and respect."

A phrase commonly repeated at RCDS is that we never allow students to “slip through the cracks.” We approach our students as individuals, nurturing their unique abilities and challenging each to do his or her best. With a low student-faculty ratio, our teachers have the ability to know and connect with their students. Each student has a team of adults, comprising teachers, administrators, advisors, and parents, that works closely together in creating a robust support network for the child. RCDS offers a multitude of academic and co-curricular activities so that all students can explore and discover the areas in which they thrive.

What does this success mean for our students after they leave Rye Country Day? RCDS students are accepted into and flourish at the best colleges and universities around the world.

VIEW MATRICULATION LISTS HERE

Beyond college, our tight-knit alumni network is filled with leaders in their fields who reach out and support each other both professionally and personally throughout their lives. We know, because we keep in touch with them, that they are tremendously accomplished.

Lower School (Pre-K through Grade 4)
Start Time: 8:15 a.m.
Dismissal: 2:50 p.m.
 
Grades 5 and 6
Start Time: 8:20 a.m.
Dismissal: 3:15 p.m.
 
Grades 7 and 8
Start Time: 8:20 a.m.
Dismissal: 3:20 p.m.
 
Upper School
Start Time: 8:30 a.m.
Dismissal: 3:15 p.m.
Athletics start at 3:30 p.m.

All Divisions (Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools) 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.

1:1 Device Program: Students entering Pre-K – Grade 6 receive devices at the start of school to use throughout the academic year: 

• iPads for all students in Grades Pre-K and K.
• Touch screen Chromebooks for Grades 1 and 2.
• MacBook Air laptops for Grades 3 - 6.

Laptop Program: Each student in Grades 7-12 is required to have a laptop computer for use in school and at home. A new student in Grades 7-12 can purchase a laptop through the school-endorsed Apple/IBM educational laptop program or can provide his or her own laptop, provided it meets the needed specifications. 

Any student receiving any amount of financial aid receives a laptop from the School and may choose from any of the school endorsed options.

There are a number of ways our families get their students to campus. Most students travel by car. Many students take the Metro North train (only one block away), buses, or taxis. Some parents in the state of NY send their children via school bus and apply for this service provided by their own town’s public school districts in accordance with New York State law. For more information on this, parents should contact their local town hall or Board of Education of the school district in which they reside by April 1 of the prior school year. For students traveling from Yonkers, our School arranges transportation. 

Learn More About Transportation

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. 

FLIK is dedicated to working with families. There are many allergy-friendly options, and we are a peanut aware community.

Rye Country Day School uses the Schoology Learning Management System (LMS) for Grades 3 - 12. The Schoology LMS is used primarily by teachers and students. Teachers post information, assignments, assessments, web links, video links, and manage discussion boards and more for students to complete either in class, in a lab environment, or at home, depending on the needs of the student and the class. Students can upload completed projects and documents to Schoology for their teachers' review and grading.

One of the outstanding features of Schoology is the availability of a Parent Account. These accounts allow parents to log into Schoology LMS and see the information that teachers are providing, including but not limited to class events, special requests, assignments, homework, and student resources.  Parent accounts are provided for students in Grades 3 - 8.  This helps to support student growth and development, as Upper School students learn to manage their learning without as much parent oversight.  

Lower School Extended Day is offered to K-4 students of working parents/guardians and runs from the end of the academic day until 5:30 p.m. Learn more.

After-School Clubs are offered to Lower and Middle School students during eight-week sessions in the fall, winter, and spring. Clubs reflect interests as varied as chess, drama, hip-hop dancing, and yoga. The clubs may change periodically throughout the year, depending on the teacher offerings and students' interests. After-school clubs run from 3:15 - 4:15 p.m. Learn more.

Middle School Homework Center runs from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and offers a quiet place for students to work independently on their school assignments.

Upper School students may stay on campus until 6:00 p.m. Even after the academic day is over, the RCDS campus is bustling with activities ranging from athletics to the arts, to group work on assignments and club gatherings. The library offers a quiet place to work on assignments for students who do not have other scheduled activities.

Three tuition (including lunch fee) payment schedules are available:

1. One payment due July 1
2. Two payments: 50% by July 1 and 50% by January 1
3. Ten payments: June 1 through March 1, with a one-time $250 fee added to the first installment.

This year, our financial aid budget is approximately $7 million. Currently, 16% of the student body receives financial assistance.

No. The RCDS financial aid program is entirely comprised of grants. There are no loans in our financial aid grants.

No. Financial aid grants consider the entire expense of attending RCDS. This factors in "extra" costs such as lunch, books, and other expenses. Furthermore, all students who receive financial aid in Grades 7-12 (regardless of the grant amount) receive a new loaner laptop computer from the School as part of their financial aid grant. Although the computer is technically owned by RCDS, the student has use of this computer at home and during all vacations. Families will be billed $60 annually for insurance on the laptop. Finally, RCDS is also pleased to support school-related trips for students who receive financial aid. The School will support approved trips for students who receive financial aid at the same percentage as their financial aid grant (e.g., a family who pays 50% of our tuition would be asked to pay 50% of any school-related trip).

The School looks to support qualified students who will be able to contribute to school life in many ways. RCDS has students who receive financial aid in all divisions of the School (Lower, Middle, and Upper). Historically, the School has had a larger concentration of students who receive financial aid in the Middle and Upper divisions, but all families are encouraged to apply. There are limited funds for Lower School students and no financial funds available for Pre-Kindergarten. Currently, our students who receive financial aid come from approximately 20 different communities in Westchester and Fairfield Counties, as well as Manhattan and the Bronx. Our families also come from a range of incomes and qualify for varying amounts of financial support.

The first step in applying for financial aid is to indicate your interest in financial aid on the Online Application for Admissions (this will automatically waive RCDS' application fee). Please note, our admissions literature addresses the financial aid process in general, but it can be helpful to speak with someone in our Office of Financial Aid. To learn more about the financial aid application, please contact Ariana Wimpy at (914) 925-4522 or ariana_wimpy@ryecountryday.org. 

RCDS uses School and Student Services (SSS) to establish financial need. For more information about SSS, call the family help line at (800) 344-8328 or visit their website at www.solutionsbysss.com. Financial aid applicants need to complete the Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS), which must be done online. SSS will notify the Financial Aid Office when the PFS is completed. The School also requires that applicants submit a copy of all federal IRS forms submitted in the previous year, as well as the most recent W2 forms. All of these documents combined give RCDS an informed sense of a family's financial need. It is important to note that although RCDS uses SSS as a guide in this process, actual grants are always recalculated locally and distributed by the Financial Aid Office at RCDS.

Our students who receive financial aid come from a wide variety of family structures, and ultimately every family's situation is considered on a case-by-case basis. However, RCDS does have a clear policy for considering aid in separated/divorced situations. The Financial Aid Committee does consider financial resources from all parents/guardians (non-custodial and step-parents included) that are available to applicants.

The School distributes financial aid grants simultaneously with admissions offers. Since most of our admissions decisions are communicated in early February, our financial aid application process must commence well in advance of this date. The SSS portal (in order to start your PFS) opens in September. The due date for a completed financial aid application (PFS) for prospective students is December 15.

Financial aid and admissions are two separate processes at RCDS; our Admissions Committees do not consider—and are unaware of—financial need when evaluating the qualifications of an admissions applicant. While the financial aid budget is generous, it is limited. Applications for financial aid (PFS) that are submitted after the December deadline can only be considered subject to the availability of funds. Sometimes RCDS is unable to make aid grants to all qualified students based on budgetary constraints.

Generally, yes. As long as a family's financial situation remains relatively unchanged, families should anticipate that their percentage of tuition support will remain relatively constant throughout their experience at RCDS. Grants can change in either direction depending on significant changes in a family's financial circumstances. Families must complete the PFS and submit supporting documents each year.

No. Furthermore, the identities of our students who receive financial aid are confidential. The Financial Aid Committee, administration, and select employees are made aware of student financial aid status in order to support families. 

At any time during the financial aid process, please feel free to contact financialaid@ryecountryday.org. Our goal is to make this process as efficient and clear as possible.

Please see the step-by-step guide to application or call us for more information.

Yes, there is a birthday cut-off date for Lower School (Pre-K - Grade 4)  applications. Our experience has led us to believe that our younger students are most successful at RCDS when their peer group is relatively close in age. As such, we have a strict cut-off date of September 1 for applicants for the Lower School grades. Applicants to the Pre-Kindergarten must turn 4 by September 1 of the year of entrance; applicants to Kindergarten must turn 5 by September 1; and so on up to Grade 4. This is a firm policy.

The standard admissions process deadline is December 15 for application components required from the applicants and families. We allow until January 10 for teacher recommendations and transcripts

We do consider late applications (second round) on a rolling basis following this deadline for Middle and Upper School applicants (Grades 5-12) ONLY. We do not accept late (second round) applications for Lower School applicants (Pre-K- Grades 4). If you think you are going to need an extension on the application or you would like to be considered for a second round application, please contact the Office of Admissions.

RCDS offers shadow days after decisions have been released for accepted students in Grades 4 and above.

After you submit a New Student Application, the Office of Admissions will be in touch with you to schedule required assessments and virtual screenings.

For applicants to Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 2: Please be aware that these assessments will take approximately 20 minutes. 

For applicants to Grades 3 and 4: Applicants applying to Grades 3 and 4 are required to take the ISEE Primary. RCDS Admissions will host the ISEE Primary. Parents/guardians are responsible for scheduling their own testing arrangements through the ERB website. Testing should be scheduled during the current school year, and should be completed no later than January 10 to ensure a completed application folder. Be sure to have results forwarded to RCDS by ISEE (school code: 334965). 

For applicants to Grades 5 -12: Applicants to Grades 5-12 are required to take the ISEE or SSAT*. The Admissions Committees at RCDS does not have a preference between the ISEE and the SSAT. Both tests are viewed equally in the admissions process. Parents/guardians are responsible for scheduling their own testing arrangements. Please visit the testing sites for testing protocols and availability. Testing should be scheduled during the current school year, and should be completed no later than January 10 to ensure a completed application folder. Be sure to have results forwarded to RCDS by ISEE (school code: 334965) or SSAT (school code: 6208) by indicating RCDS as a score recipient when registering.

Our school does not currently accept the Standard Application Online (SAO) for applicants. However, if you are using the SAO to apply to other schools in the Fairchester Consortium, we will accept copies of the SAO Recommendation forms. If you wish to send SAO recommendation forms to our school, please request that your teacher or administrator email a PDF copy of their completed SAO recommendation form directly to our school at admissions@ryecountryday.org
 

Yes, especially if the reason for not being offered acceptance is because of lack of space. It is helpful to note at which grades the most openings appear and plan to apply for these grades first.

RCDS is, by tradition, a "family" school. Sibling and legacy applications (employee and children of alumni), are given priority consideration with all other things being equal. However, admission is never guaranteed.

Yes. The initial admissions decisions are announced in February. Applicants are either admitted, denied, or waitlisted. The waitlist remains active through mid-summer.

You will receive a notification with the admissions decision and financial aid grant (if applicable) on February 2, 2024.

Pre-Kindergarten: 45 
Kindergarten: 77
Grade 1: 25
Grade 2: 26
Grade 3: 28
Grade 4: 51
Grade 5: 53 
Grade 6: 123
Grade 7: 48
Grade 8: 33 
Grade 9: 193
Grade 10: 42
Grade 11: 13
Grade 12: 3