What is Country Day looking for in an ideal candidate for
enrollment?
Country Day aims to enroll qualified students who can access
curriculum and thrive in our educational environment. We’re
looking for mission-appropriate families who join us in
understanding that children are best prepared to succeed
educationally when parents and teachers work together in a
cooperative partnership.
Throughout the application process we engage in interactive
dialogue with parents about educational goals and values for
prospective students. The process is designed to identify
whether a candidate is prepared to access our dynamic, enriched
and challenging curriculum, and we honor every child’s unique
potential to contribute to a diverse community of learners.
Students who crave serious intellectual challenge in the
classroom are well-served in our program, and we also understand
the immense benefits of experiencing art, athletics and service
to others. Our community includes students who receive extra
support from our Learning Support team, and all of our students
benefit from low student to teacher ratios and expert, engaged
teachers who innovate instructional approaches to reach
diverse learners.
We review each piece of a completed
application thoughtfully and we work to piece together a
holistic view of candidates’ abilities and whether our program,
which has limitations like any school, is prepared to serve them
in reaching their unique potential going forward.
In what grades do you accept new students? Are there age
requirements for my child to begin?
We accept new students to any grade level in which we have
available space. Like many independent schools, our teachers
are adept at integrating new students into their classroom
communities in the fall or, where space exists, and candidates
are qualified to join, mid-year.
Students best prepared to join us in Pre-Kindergarten typically
turn four years old by September 1st of the year they would begin
school. We accept applications from candidates who turn four
years old during the month of September with the understanding
that, if qualified, they will be among the youngest learners in
their class. Students who turn four years old on October 1 or
after are invited to apply for admission for the following school
year.
The same logic applies to a Kindergarten entrance. Most students
prepared to join us turn five years old by September 1 of
the year they would begin, and we accept applications for
candidates with birthdays during the month of September but not
after.
Is Sacramento Country Day School formally affiliated with other
Country Day schools across the nation?
Sacramento Country Day School is a private, non-profit,
independent school. While we are not a part of a chain of
schools, we are linked collegially with some by a uniformly
rigorous accreditation and membership in highly regarded
professional associations. Some discerning families ask about a
school’s accreditation as it tends to define aspects of academic
rigor and expectation. Members of the National Association of
Independent Schools share general philosophies unique to
independent schools and are distinguished by their high-level
programs. Members of the Western Association of Schools and
Colleges and the California Association of Independent Schools
undergo a rigorous school-wide self-study and site visitation,
earning a maximum six-year accreditation. Sacramento Country Day
School currently enjoys a six-year accreditation through CAIS and
WASC.
What is the deadline to apply?
Each year, the Admission Office sets a priority admission
deadline (see top of page for Key Application Dates). Candidates
who apply on or before the deadline will not be charged a
$150 application fee. Applications received after the priority
deadline will be considered on a rolling basis as space
allows and must submit a $150 application fee.
