High School

A Smart Choice

Traditionally, all of our High School’s graduates continue their educations at four-year colleges and universities across the nation. Academic excellence, therefore, is central to our mission. In a high school where the average class size is 13, and the student-to-teacher ratio is 9:1, the opportunity for students to thrive intellectually under the close guidance of skilled teachers is the norm.

In addition to a rigorous curriculum, our students’ preparation for college includes extracurricular activities that promote discipline, responsibility, and teamwork. The school-wide focus on ethics and values encourages our students to develop strong moral standards.

Academic challenge, extracurricular opportunity, and participation in a supportive community – these characterize the SCDS experience. We send forth into society independent, self-confident young adults who become leaders in their communities and beyond.

Graduation Requirements

English – Four Years
Mathematics – Three Years through Algebra II (Four Recommended)
Science – Three Years of Laboratory Science (Four Recommended)
History – Three Years (Four Recommended)
World Language – Three Consecutive Years of the Same Language (Four Recommended)
Visual & Performing Arts – Three Consecutive Trimesters of the Same Course
Computer Science – Proficiency Test
Physical Education – Six Trimesters, Six Seasons of Interscholastic Sports, or Six Trimesters of Independent PE
Community Service – Fifty Hours
Senior Project – Approximately Forty Hours, to be completed prior to or during the last two or three weeks of school in the 12th grade. Each senior is expected to make a presentation at the Senior Project Night in June.
Senior Project Description

Advanced Placement Classes

Advanced Placement classes are widely recognized for their rigor and for the opportunity to earn college credit or advanced standing at most colleges and universities. Advanced Placement classes are offered in English Language (11th grade), English Literature (12th grade), U.S. History, European History, Art History, Studio Art, Microeconomics, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Biology, Chemistry, Physics B, Physics C (Mechanics and Electricity & Magnetism), Latin (Vergil), French, and Spanish. In 2011, the school administered 156 AP exams; 81% of the grades were 3′s or higher. Most Country Day students take several AP classes, some leaving our High School with college sophomore standing.

SAT Performance

All SCDS juniors and seniors take the SAT each year.

Class of 2011 SAT Averages
SAT Critical Reading Average – 622
SAT Math Average – 619
SAT Writing Average – 638

Electives

Octagon (student newspaper), Medallion (student yearbook), Community Service, Great Books, Nutrition, College Health & Nutrition, Public Speaking/Poetry Out Loud, Mock Trial, Current Events, Music, Drama, Art, Film as Literature, Japanese Language and Culture, and Physical Education

Community Service

50 hours required for all students. Seniors complete in-depth end-of-year project and presentation.

Extracurricular Activities

The Outdoor Education program and an annual trip to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival provide exciting off-campus educational opportunities. A national Pacemaker winner and four-time nominee, the Octagon newspaper is published eight times a year in print and updated more often online. The award-winning Medallion yearbook is distributed to all students. Student government, dramatic productions, dances, a prize-winning literary magazine, the annual Chalk Mural, Mock Trial competition, and diverse instrumental groups round out the extracurricular program.

Additional Information

High School Curriculum Guide 2011
High School Parent/Student Handbook
High School Parent/Student Agreement

High School Textbooks

These examinations are the first formal phase of the college counseling process. All sophomores take the PSAT in the fall as practice for their junior year testing (when the scores may qualify them for National Merit recognition), and the college counselor discusses the students’ scores with them. The school encourages sophomores to take the SAT Subject Tests for which they qualify in June. Juniors take the PSAT in the fall and the SAT Reasoning Test in March or April. They are strongly advised to take two or three SAT Subject Tests in June. Seniors take the SAT in October or November and any SAT Subject Tests that they still require in November or December.

Representatives from colleges and universities across the United States visit Country Day during the fall to speak with interested students. Sophomores are encouraged to attend one or two of these meetings. Juniors usually attend more, including a College Fair in the spring. For seniors these college meetings are an important step in the college admissions process. The school informs seniors of larger meetings in the Sacramento area.

The most intensive college counseling begins in the spring of the junior year, when the college counselor meets with juniors and their parents to discuss the college admissions process. The Counselors hold individual college counseling meetings and lunchtime meetings for juniors throughout the spring.

During the summer, prospective seniors write a self-assessment essay and fill out a senior questionnaire. Parents are also required to complete a questionnaire. These forms are designed to assist both the senior and the college counselor in making college choices. Seniors meet individually with the college counselor in the fall and attend a series of lunchtime meetings. In October seniors are given a full school day to complete college applications with the help of the college counselor and other available teachers. Throughout the year the college counselor remains in close contact with seniors, their parents, and college admissions personnel.

College Knowledge, the SCDS college handbook, contains more detailed information about the college counseling process. Juniors receive this handbook.

College Counseling Timeline

Members of the classes from 2008-2011 were admitted to the following colleges and universities: