Gifted and Talented Students

From its founding, Country Day has been committed to nurturing each child, both as a person and as a productive member of the community. We provide an individualized, flexible program available to every student, especially those with special talents or needs. The size of our school and the quality of our faculty and learning specialists make Country Day the ideal environment for your gifted child.

Experts today recognize many areas of giftedness. We value equally the traditionally recognized academic strengths and gifts in the arts, athletics and leadership.

Once your child is enrolled at Country Day our on-staff learning specialists, along with the director of admissions and the principals, make recommendations to teachers on the special needs of each child. Our learning specialists are classroom-based consultants, who ensure that our teachers have comprehensive strategies to use in developing a learning plan that is appropriate to each child.

Often one person is the key to a gifted child's success. In the Middle and Upper Schools, students' faculty advisors play a key role, while in the Lower School, multi-age grouping allows faculty to know each child as a developing learner over time.

Each division at Country Day offers special courses or programs for students. By design, the Lower School's multi-grade classrooms give students opportunities for independent or group study. Multi-grade curricula challenge gifted students because they are assessed on their own abilities rather than by grade level or standards for acceptable performance at one given age.

Middle school students participate in an honors program that includes math, performing arts, and foreign language. Students are carefully placed into academic courses that provide appropriate challenge to meet their individual needs.

Eligible upper school students can pursue honors courses in every discipline and are encouraged to take Advanced Placement exams for college credit. The Upper School also offers students the opportunity for independent study. Last year's independent study courses include Latin, Interpretive Music, Automotive Design, and Architecture.