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Upper School

The Upper School at Savannah Country Day school endeavors to create an environment in which 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.

Click HERE to review the 2022-23 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

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

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

Ned Henneman Wins STAR Student for Chatham County

Congratulations to Ned Henneman '23, the 2023 Chatham County STAR Student! Ned earned the highest score on the SAT in a single sitting among all high school seniors in greater Savannah. He selected orchestra teacher Paula Swart as his STAR Teacher. Sponsored locally by the Kiwanis Club, the Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) program honors Savannah's highest-achieving high school seniors and the teachers who have been most instrumental in their academic development. Congratulations to Ned and Mrs. Swart!

Executive Director of Savannah Music Festival Visits Campus

Thank you to Gene Dobbs Bradford, Executive Director of the Savannah Music Festival, for stopping by campus to meet with our Upper School students and faculty. He provided students with an overview of his background in music and discussed the mission of the Savannah Music Festival, which will run from March 23-April 8 at venues throughout Savannah's historic district. Assembly concluded with a lengthy Q&A with students!

Savannah Book Festival Authors Speak to Students

On February 17, we welcomed Savannah Book Festival authors to speak to our Middle and Upper School students. Thank you to Patricia Shultz (author of “Why We Travel: 100 Reasons to See the World) and Renee Dudley & Daniel Golden (authors of “The Ransomware Hunting Team”) for stopping by!

Country Day Welcomes Back Kevan Jackson '84

We kicked off our Black History Month activities on February 1 with a visit from SCDS alumnus and board member Kevan Jackson '84, who met with Upper School students at assembly. Mr. Jackson, who is the Director of Program Management for the G650/G650ER aircraft models at Gulfstream, shared with students his experience at Country Day, the trajectory that led him to his current career, and some sage words of wisdom: "Don't settle. Always push harder."

Thank you to Mr. Jackson for visiting campus and speaking to our students!