NEWTON COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL COURAGE AND CONFIDENCE AN INDEPENDENT, SACRED HEART SCHOOL FOR GIRLS IN GRADES 5–12
Newton Country Day School • A
Courage and Confidence in Learning
B • Newton Country Day School
COURAGE AND CONFIDENCE. These words inspired Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat through the many challenges she faced in realizing her groundbreaking vision: to establish a global network of schools to educate girls who would transform the world. Founded in France in the 1800s, Schools of the Sacred Heart now flourish in 44 countries and over 20 locations in the United States. Sacred Heart Schools share a common philosophy of providing an education serious in its principles, strong in its studies, and rich in a spirit of life and love. Here at Newton Country Day, we focus on the same core values reflected in Sacred Heart Schools worldwide. Highly motivated girls and faculty of all faiths create a vibrant and welcoming community distinguished by vigorous intellect, thoughtful compassion, and joyful traditions. Through the international Network of Sacred Heart Schools, students participate in service opportunities, spiritual formation, and academic exchanges across the world. Empowered by courage and confidence, young women graduate from Sacred Heart Schools with strong convictions, discerning intelligence, active faith, and an eagerness to make a difference in society.
Newton Country Day School • 1
Courage and Confidence in the Classroom
Middle School
2 • Newton Country Day School
Middle School Clubs
The Middle School program at NCDS has dedicated space, designated faculty, and its own traditions and special events, yet girls in grades 5–8 benefit from all the resources and facilities of a school that extends through twelfth grade. Students explore and expand their academic and extracurricular interests while building and navigating life-long friendships.
Art with a Mission Book Club Cantilare (select choir) Environmental Club Girls Who Code
Liturgical Dance Math League Outdoor Activities Club (Spring) Shakespeare Club
Clubs may change from year to year.
A thoughtfully designed curriculum and small class size form the foundation of the academic program. Daily assembly blocks provide time to meet with teachers, hear guest speakers, and enjoy special activities. Diversity, equity, and inclusion programming allows for important discussions about culture, heritage, and belonging. Girls begin and end the day in their homeroom, a comfortable home base where they develop organizational skills and study strategies while learning more about their classmates and themselves. Homeroom moderators, lead teachers in each grade, and students’ advisors work together to help every girl reach her full potential while preparing them for future success in Upper School.
Newton Country Day School • 3
Courage and Confidence with Academics
Upper School
4 • Newton Country Day School
Upper School at NCDS begins with the Ninth Grade Experience, a year-long program designed specifically to ease the transition to high school. Led by the Class Dean, ninth grade faculty, and senior student mentors, the program focuses on building the academic and personal skills in each girl that contribute to the formation of identity and spirit in the class. As the girls progress through the Upper School, a combination of rigorous academics, spiritual growth, community service, competitive athletics, and electives in both visual and performing arts inspires students to be their best selves. Girls develop leadership skills and explore their interests through studentled committees. Affinity Groups, also led by students, provide a safe, inclusive forum for discussion, while other diversity initiatives inform all students about the world around them. The teacher-student relationships that are a hallmark of NCDS are built through a well-developed Advisory Program. As juniors, girls also begin working with members of the College Guidance team, who counsel each student and her family through the college application process.
Upper School Committees A Cappella Agape Latte (Campus Ministry) Chemistry Classics Committee of Games Danse Esprit Economics Environmental Film Health Sciences Honor Committee Mock Trial Model U.N. Newspaper Peer Education PRISM Robotics/STEM Service, Justice, and Solidarity Speech Student Government Yearbook Committees may change from year to year. Newton Country Day School • 5
Courage and Confidence in Competition
Athletics NCDS is a member of the Eastern Independent League (EIL) and the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC). The school offers 38 teams in 14 sports, with interscholastic competition beginning in grade 5. Girls of all levels can participate in our athletic program, whether one is trying a new sport or being recruited to play in college. Our annual Homecoming in September brings families to campus to celebrate our fall sports teams with a weekend of athletic competition, face-painting, food trucks, and other festivities. Each year, we have varsity players and coaches who are recognized for their accomplishments with league honors.
Fall Sports Crew*
Soccer
Cross-country
Volleyball
Field Hockey
Winter Sports Basketball
Ice Hockey
Dance Team*
Squash
Spring Sports Crew*
Sailing*
Golf* Lacrosse
Softball
* Upper School only 6 • Newton Country Day School
Tennis
Courage and Confidence on Stage
Visual and Performing Arts The Visual and Performing Arts Program at NCDS is extensive. All of our Middle School students take visual art, dance, and music, which includes chorus and/or instrumental ensemble. Upper School girls may choose from a number of arts electives, including visual art through the AP level, dance, chorale, and instrumental ensemble. Our Varsity Dance team competes during the winter sports season. In both divisions, there are audition-only singing groups: Cantilare in the Middle School and Schola Cantorum in the Upper School. In addition to the Middle and Upper School musicals, highlights of the year include Vespers, Celebration of the Arts (MS), and Festival of the Arts (US). Newton Country Day School • 7
Courage and Confidence in Spiritual Growth
Faith and Service An independent school for girls rooted in the Catholic tradition, NCDS is known for its emphasis on spirituality. Through the religious studies curriculum, retreats, weekly chapel services, and all-school Masses, young women become familiar with the value of personal prayer, character formation, and community service. Students of all beliefs realize the importance of reflection, commit to social action, and gain the skills necessary to lead in their community and the world. Service to those in need is integral to the mission of the school. Called by faith to action, our students develop a strong sense of their own power to make positive change. Every student is an active participant in community service. Service projects in the Middle School, direct service requirements in the Upper School, and a junior year service immersion experience are all designed to instill in our students a life-long commitment to service and social justice.
8 • Newton Country Day School
Traditions • Advent Angels • Blue/Silver Spirit Teams • Camp Hazen • Celebration and Festival of the Arts • Christmas Singalong • Congé • Family Skating Party • Goûter • Grandparents’/ Special Friends’ Day • Halloween Costume Contest
• Hearts for Haiti • Homecoming • Junior Ring Ceremony • Middle School Field Day • Network Exchange Program • Orientation Trips • Retreats • Prize Day • Semi and Prom • Senior Projects • Mother/Special Person-Daughter Liturgy • Spirit Week • Trés Bien Auction • Vespers
Schools of the Sacred Heart commit themselves to educate to: I. a personal and active faith in God II. a deep respect for intellectual values III. a social awareness which impels to action IV. the building of community as a Christian value V. personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom
“Courage and Confidence…We cannot repeat these words too often.” — Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat Newton Country Day School • 9
Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart 785 Centre Street Newton, MA 02458
/NewtonCountryDay @NCDS1880
@newtoncountrydayschool Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart
For more information, please call the Admission Office at 617-244-4246, email admissions@newtonSH.org, or visit newtoncountryday.org.
Educating Women of Courage and Confidence since 1880
10 • Newton Country Day School