The Country Day Difference
Savannah Country Day combines the best in traditional and progressive education to help each student reach his or her fullest potential. We are proud to be a family school with strong connections to the community and each other. We welcome students with open arms and open minds, always treasuring the energy, enthusiasm, and creativity of each child.
Campus
- 65-acre wooded, gated campus with dedicated security staff
- 32,000-sq. ft. Upper School STEM building features state-of-the-art classrooms, large and small gathering and study spaces, an energy lab, and a makerspace
- Multiple Upper School buildings provide a collegiate feel, including a 400-seat multi-purpose performing arts theater
- 29,000-sq. ft. Middle School building featuring expansive classrooms, three science labs and Andrews Assembly Room, a 1,200-sq. ft. multi-purpose theater
- LEED Silver certified 53,000-sq. ft. Lower School building with media center and exceptional science facility featuring a 1,000-gallon aquarium, 2,000-sq. ft. organic garden, and a 2,000-gallon rain cistern roofing drainage system
- The Little School serves children ages six weeks through age four and features a nature-centric playground and outdoor learning environment
- Three hard surface gymnasiums, all-weather track, indoor batting facility, six tennis courts, a 3,000 sq.ft. weight room, cross country trail, two baseball fields, stadium for football, soccer and lacrosse, practice fields, and outdoor activity areas
- Campus store with stock ranging from official Country Day apparel and merchandise, healthy snacks and retail for day-to-day student needs
- Inspiring outdoor learning spaces include multiple vegetable gardens, a chicken coop, a bee apiary, the Morrison Pangaea Garden, the Butterfly Garden and the environmental learning bog
- Campus recycling and composting support school-wide initiatives
- One of only 12 independent schools in the nation to be recognized as an inaugural Green Ribbon School. Awarded the nation’s first Green Flag by the World Wildlife Federation
Individualized Attention & Support
- Small student to teacher ratios: 10:1 in Lower School; 7:1 in Middle School; 8:1 in Upper School
- The Learning Support Program includes nine faculty members who provide extra support and individualized instruction for diverse learners throughout the three divisions
- Flex periods and before/after school extended learning initiatives allow teachers additional time with students
- The Counseling Department consists of a licensed, professional school counselor in each division who provides individual support for students, facilitates large group programming and consults with parents and teachers
- Faculty advisors and grade level team leaders and deans in Middle and Upper School not only guide students, but also meet weekly to discuss student progress and needs
Dedicated Faculty & Staff
- Our faculty are recruited nationwide and over 75% have advanced degrees
- Faculty serve as coaches, advisors, class deans and team leaders
- Professional Development program allows teachers to attend and present at national, regional and local education conferences and workshops
Character Education & Service
- Starting in Lower School, students are engaged in conversations about compassion, courage, empathy, and forgiveness
- Middle and Upper School Students are guided by an Honor Code enforced by a student Honor Council and faculty advisors
- Peer guides assist newer and younger students, whether through our Safety Patrol that allows 5th grade students the opportunity to assist and mentor younger students or our cross-divisional Upper School and Middle School ambassador program
- Projects benefiting charitable organizations and causes allow students to develop an appreciation and understanding of service towards others with examples such as the Humane Society, Special Olympics and other local community-oriented affiliations
- Over 20 major service opportunities are available from junior kindergarten to senior year
Cultural Competency & Inclusion
- The CCI team consists of dedicated faculty who work throughout the divisions to ensure that every student feels a sense of inclusion and belonging. Partnering with faculty and staff, the team develops age-appropriate programming
- Starting in Lower School, students participate in monthly initiatives focused on cultural awareness, self-awareness, empathy, and kindness
- At the Middle and Upper School levels, students are encouraged to think critically and explore more complex issues with thoughtfulness and respect
- Student clubs foster important dialogue and bring awareness to the larger SCDS community through hosting events and speakers
Technology
- A robust iPad and Macbook Pro 1:1 program introduced in the Lower School. Each student is assigned a device for use during the school day (iPads in JK-2, Macbooks in Grades 3-5) in addition to access to a shared iMac lab
- All 6 - 8th grade students are issued a new Macbook Air to use on campus and at home, with the opportunity to purchase after 8th grade
- Upper School is “bring your own device” based on student preference
- Information and Literacy Services department includes the on-campus Help Desk and Apple Repair Center to offer software and hardware technical support and repairs during dedicated hours, to all student, faculty, and staff
- A fully implemented Student Information System and Learning Management System, both built on the Blackbaud platform, for classroom communication and interaction as well as important school information and events
- Cisco emergency notification services that can broadcast important messages on all campus phones and speakers when needed
Athletics & Physical Well-Being
- Over 50 athletic teams (Varsity, JV, Middle School and 5th Grade) including baseball, basketball, cheerleading, clay target, cross country, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, tennis, track and field, volleyball, and wrestling
- Facilities include three hard surface gymnasiums, all-weather track, indoor batting facility, six tennis courts, a 3,000 sq.ft. weight room, cross country trail, two baseball fields, stadium for football, soccer and lacrosse, practice fields, and outdoor activity areas
- 80% of Upper and Middle School students participate in an athletic offering
- Daily Physical Education class in Lower and Middle School
- Weight room is utilized during Middle School P.E. and open throughout the day for Upper School student use
- Daily recess in Lower School
- Athletic trainers and strength and conditioning coaches work with our student athletes and are available throughout the day and after school
- Two school nurses maintain student health records, respond to medical emergencies, contribute to health classes and administer medications
Fine & Performing Arts
- General music and art begin in Junior Kindergarten; drama and strings are introduced in fourth grade
- 15 dedicated arts faculty members who host open galleries and concerts to showcase student work
- Offerings include visual art, general music, choral music, jazz band, theatre, photography, orchestra and technology-based graphic arts
- SCAD professors and visiting artists provide master classes and workshops
- Students utilize nine dedicated studio and classroom spaces and perform in Jelks Auditorium, a 400-seat theatre multi-use facility
- Fine arts faculty enter student work in both state and national competitions
Special Interests
- Upper School students are offered a wide catalog of online classes through Global Online Academy, a consortium of 64 peer schools from across the U.S. and globe. Class offerings range from “Introduction to Legal Thinking” and “Business Problem Solving” to “Creative Nonfiction Writing” and “Bioethics”
- Upper School electives include “Southern History”, “Anatomy” and “Global Issues” among others
- Middle School Mini-Mester program allows students a week to explore alternate classes and interests, including Robotics, Fencing, Theatre Tech and more
- Lower School After School programs include Chess, Ballet, Quiz Bowl, Tae Kwon Do, Lacrosse, Ceramics, Cooking and more
- Day trips and multi-day excursions throughout the year include fifth grade Rock Eagle, eighth grade Outward Bound in the Florida Everglades, Freshman Weekend in Flatrock, NC, and an Upper School trip to Rome,Italy
- Over 40 extracurricular clubs and organizations, including Amanuensis literary publication, Mock Trial, STEM Club, World Affairs and more
College Counseling
- The College Counseling Department is a full-service office that includes two full-time, experienced college counselors that work with families beginning in ninth grade at no additional cost
- Student programming includes essay workshops, application workdays, interview prep, standardized test prep, college list building sessions, and career interest testing and counseling
- Parent programming includes monthly coffees, grade level-appropriate events, monthly newsletters and individual meetings throughout the year
- Outside expert presentations include Financing Your College Education, Standardized Testing and a spring college panel
- College admissions representatives meet with student both in-person during campus visits and virtually each year, and SCDS co-hosts a college fair providing access to over 125 college reps from across the nation and globe