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Upper School

The Upper School at Savannah Country Day School endeavors to create an environment where each student can find an area to shine.  While all students will benefit from our rigorous college preparatory curriculum, we don’t limit our pursuit of excellence to the classroom.  

The cornerstone of our Upper School experience is balance, and we strongly encourage students to find interests beyond the classroom to augment their academic experience. The typical Country Day upper school student is not only engaged in the classroom, but is also eager to make an impact on the playing fields, on the stage, in the art studio, or in the larger community. While we are preparing students to be successful in college and in life, we are also preparing them to be the sorts of citizens who will carry our region and nation forward.  Country Day students will be the leaders of the next generation, and by encouraging critical thinking, creative problem solving, and independence of thought, the Upper School helps to form these leaders.

 

2023-24 Upper School Course Catalog

Because of our size, which is small by design, students have lots of opportunities to participate and engage in all different aspects of school life. The size also allows our students and teachers to form close relationships with each other, fostering a sense of trust and encouragement in the different things they try."jonathan day, head of upper school


A Day in the Life: Upper School

Upper School At a Glance

359 students in the Upper School

Average class size of 15, student/teacher ratio 8:1

Of the 45 Upper School faculty members, 33 hold advanced degrees. The average teaching experience is 16 years

80% of Upper School students participate in athletics

A robust curriculum including Honors, Advanced Placement, and Advanced classes

Over 70% of students taking AP tests achieve 3+ scores

Seniors participate in off-campus research or career education project during the month of May

Upper School News

Emiline Baxter STAR Student - Region 8

Congratulations to Emiline Baxter on winning the STAR Region 8 Student/Teacher competition and advancing to the State Competition in late April. In addition to SAT scores, the State Competition will consist of five judges reviewing comprehensive biographical information and considerations such as extracurricular activities, personal philosophy, and leadership. Each STAR student selects a teacher who has significantly influenced his/her success, and Emiline selected Upper School math teacher A.J. Goldman as her STAR Teacher.

When in Rome...!

From Stillwood Drive to Via dei Fori Imperiali, 15 Country Day students embarked on an incredible educational journey to Rome over Spring Break! Guided by Latin instructor Dr. Kevin Gavin and Courtney Aliotta, students explored the Eternal City and marveled at renowned landmarks such as the Colosseum, the Capitoline Museums, the Golden House, the Forum, the Borghese Gallery, the Trevi Fountain, and the recently renovated Domus Tiberiana, in addition to numerous churches, fountains, squares, galleries, and monuments.

The group ventured through the impressive ruins of the Baths of Caracalla, wandered beneath the arches of ancient churches, and toured opulent palaces adorned with masterpieces from ancient, Renaissance, and Baroque periods. Amidst these adventures, there was ample time for indulging in gelato, exploring local shops, and observing the vibrant life of the city. Undoubtedly, this was an unforgettable experience that will be treasured by the students for years to come.

SCDS Students Shine at Shakespeare Monologue Contest!

Congratulations to our talented theatre students for outstanding performances at the English Speaking Union’s 2024 Shakespeare Monologue contest! Students from the greater Savannah area competed in this annual contest, with the winner advancing to New York City to perform in the National Competition.

Silas Johnson ‘24 showcased his incredible talent and earned second place with a performance of a monologue from "Much Ado About Nothing," while Gabriella Galoni ‘26 mesmerized the audience and secured third place with her performance from "Two Gentlemen of Verona." We are incredibly proud of their dedication and hard work. Way to go, Silas and Gabby!

Great Competition Season for Mock Trial

Congratulations to the Mock Trial teams on a strong season. At the District competition, seniors Selene Zhao and Jessica Elkin both won an outstanding attorney award, junior Mollie Macfadyen won an outstanding witness award, sophomore Emily Moretz won two outstanding witness awards, and sophomore Marin Cox won an outstanding witness award. Well done, Hornets! 

Faculty Explorations Finale

We wrapped up this year's Faculty Explorations with a fantastic presentation by Meg Haston, Assistant Head of Upper School for Student Life, on "The Stories We Tell" on February 7. As a licensed therapist and author of four young adult novels, Mrs. Haston provided a unique perspective on how and why our personal experiences color or influence the stories we create in our minds about others or ourselves.

Mrs. Haston shared an example of getting cut off on the highway by a car going 90 MPH. The stories we create in our heads about this person are likely not something along the lines of, "Oh, he must be rushing to the hospital—I hope he's ok!" Rather, you *might* be thinking something a bit more sinister. Mrs. Haston led us in a discussion and workshop about the psychology behind this thought process, and shared her own experience of creating and writing stories for publication.

If you missed this year's Faculty Explorations, we hope to see you back in the classroom next winter for the 2025 series! Thank you to David Elliott, Neil Gabbey, Laura Santander, and Meg Haston for another successful year!

Curriculum, Advanced Classes, and Electives

The Upper School offers its students a wide array of co-curricular activities.  Virtually every teacher sponsors some club, activity, or sport. 

College Counseling

Working with students for all four years of Upper School, our College Counseling Office helps find the best fit for every student. 

Advisory & Class Deans

All Upper School students have faculty advisors assigned in the ninth grade. The groups stay together for four years, which allows students and faculty to create the kinds of bonds that can only be forged over time. 

Leadership, Clubs & Organizations

Students are encouraged to explore their talents and interests beyond their classroom experiences. 

Global Online Academy

GOA offers SCDS students the opportunity to learn alongside peers from around the world. GOA courses further enrich the Country Day experience by allowing students explore their passions with classes that are outside of the traditional course catalogue.

Social & Emotional Wellness

The Upper School Counseling program is tailored to address the unique needs of the Upper School student as he or she develops independence, a stronger sense of self and identity, and personal values and goals in preparation for life both in Upper School and after graduation