RCDS - Living Our Mission

RCDS

LIVING OUR MISSION

OUR MISSION Rye Country Day School is a coeducational, college preparatory school dedicated to providing students from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 with an excellent education using both traditional and innovative approaches. In a nurturing and supportive environment, we offer a challenging program that stimulates individuals to achieve their maximum potential through academic, athletic, creative, and social endeavors. We are actively committed to diversity. We expect and promote moral responsibility and strive to develop strength of character within a respectful school community. Our goal is to foster a lifelong passion for learning, understanding, and service in an ever-changing world.

A MESSAGE FROM THE

HEAD OF SCHOOL

At RCDS, you will find community.

For students, RCDS is the place where they are engaged and supported; where they can take advantage of countless opportunities to learn, collaborate, create, and discover; and where they are encouraged to be true to themselves. For current and past parents and guardians, it’s the place that welcomes them into the life and energy of the School as partners in the work of raising children. For alumni, it’s the place they return to reunite with a community that feels like home and with teachers whose support and inspiration shaped them. For employees, it’s the place that supports continued learning and growth, and it’s the place in which so many of us have found the deep satisfaction of a career we love.

At Rye Country Day School, we believe that character, knowledge, and skills are the foundation of good citizenship.

The School has a strong tradition of excellence in teaching and learning, of knowing and approaching students as individuals, and of instilling a lifelong commitment to our motto, Not for Self, but for Service.

Excellence happens at Rye Country Day because of a shared commitment to realizing our individual and collective potential within a diverse and inclusive community. RCDS is an ever-evolving institution unafraid of new challenges and ideas. We learn thoughtfully from the lessons of the past and look eagerly to the possibilities of the future.

Welcome!

Scott A. Nelson Head of School

PUBLIC PURPOSE Not for Self, but for Service

Through critical service learning, our students become active and engaged participants in shaping a more equitable and just world.

Since 1869, Rye Country Day School’s motto, Not for Self, but for Service, has been integral to the culture of the School. We believe that meaningful and mutually beneficial partnerships emanate from a curriculum enhanced by community engagement.

Our sustained commitment to making a positive impact on the community and contributing to the common good defines our public purpose.

WWW.RYECOUNTRYDAY.ORG/PUBLICPURPOSE

By facilitating opportunities for service learning and social impact for students in Pre-K through Grade 12, Rye Country Day’s Public Purpose initiative provides transformative educational experiences that prepare students to be responsible citizens with an ethic of service, empathy, and critical reflection.

We are committed to social justice and a shared responsibility to participate in the community in a way that benefits the common good. Students and teachers approach service learning and activisim through a lens of cultivating authentic, sustainable, and reciprocal relationships with community partners.

THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM enables RCDS Upper School students to partner with a community organization to develop and implement innovative, sustainable projects that address the needs of the organization.

Student-Led Enrichment Programs Serving Neighboring Communities • SET (Saturday Enrichment and Tutorial program) • Academic Action (Summer Program) • SCOPE (Student-Centered Outreach, Partnership, and Enrichment) • SiSTEM (Students in STEM) • SWAT (Students Working to Advance Technology) • A-Chord with Kids (Music Program)

Partnerships • Our New Way Garden (White Plains, NY) • The Carver Center (Port Chester, NY) • Caritas of Port Chester • Feeding Westchester • Building One Community (Stamford, CT) • Rye Nature Center • Wema Children’s Center (Bungoma, Kenya)

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION We are actively committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and fostering a strong sense of belonging.

At RCDS, we act deliberately to create and sustain a diverse community that values equity and inclusion. Diversity is the expression of human variety; each one of us is diverse in multiple ways and in a variety of contexts. Our community is diverse, enriching us with ideas and perspectives that allow students to grow and flourish as they safely explore their individual and group identities.

THE ALL-SCHOOL DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION ACTION PLAN guides our curriculum and the student experience. Learn more at www.ryecountryday.org/deiplan

WWW.RYECOUNTRYDAY.ORG/INCLUSION

RCDS Diversity at a Glance • 40+ NY and CT school districts represented in the student body.

• 39% self-identified students of color.

• $6.3 million need-based financial aid budget.

• 16% of students receive financial aid.

• 10 social justice coordinators.

• Annual DEI professional development for employees.

A strong sense of belonging is critical for learning. For students, this sense of belonging is derived from seeing themselves reflected in the people in their community and in the curriculum. It is also essential for students to be around people, ideas, and perspectives that differ from their own. The diversity of our community and our steadfast commitment to the sense of inclusion for each of its members are among our School’s greatest strengths. Rye Country Day is a place where students can bring their full selves to school, and it is a community that celebrates the individuals that comprise it.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Action • The RCDS Center for Community Engagement and Social Justice, facilitating active partnership between the DEI and Public Purpose initiatives.

• UPLIFT students of color mentoring program – Lower, Middle, and Upper School.

• Students of Color (SoC) affinity group – Middle and Upper School.

• Girls and Boys Mentoring program – Middle and Upper School.

• GSA (Gender/Sexuality Alliance) – Middle and Upper School.

• RAMP (Resilience in Alumni Mentor Partnerships) mentoring program for alumni and students of color.

• Annual Arts Festival and International Fair.

• DEI–driven curriculum development.

• RCC (RCDS Community Connections) committee for parents/guardians.

• Student Anti-Racism Committee.

• Employee affinity groups.

• RCDS Teaching Fellows Program.

• Anti-racism and anti-bias training for employees, parents/guardians, and students.

• MOSAIC Middle School Diversity Conference with Fairchester schools.

• Saturday Summit on Social Justice with Fairchester schools.

• NAIS People of Color and Student Diversity Leadership Conferences.

SUSTAINABILITY Sustainability at RCDS creates a climate of environmental awareness and helps students understand that they can effect positive and lasting change in the world by becoming lifelong stewards of our planet.

We seek to foster understanding of the world around us, to act in accord with our school motto, Not for Self, but for Service, and to promote moral responsibility as citizens of the planet.

This occurs through identifying avenues within the curriculum and beyond that create educational opportunities for employees and students to teach and practice sustainability as they expand their understanding of the need for and purpose of responsible environmental practices.

WWW.RYECOUNTRYDAY.ORG/SUSTAINABILITY

Green Campus • • •

No idling policy LED lighting Electric car charging station • Water bottle filling stations • Single stream recycling • 23 kW solar panel system on the Pinkham Building roof • Organic landscaping • Campus tree plan • Campus-wide composting • Sustainable furniture disposal • Zero waste cafeterias • Monarch waystation

Sustainability in Action • Lower School Sustainability Club • Middle School Green Team • Upper School Environmental Club • Upper School Garden Club • Three divisional vegetable gardens • Five pollinator gardens • Community–wide Earth Day Fair • Green Screen environmental film screenings • Sustainability themes across the curriculum

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS • Westchester County Earth Day Award, Spring 2011 • United States Education Department’s Green Ribbon Schools Award, 2013 • Schoolyard Habitat Certification through the National Wildlife Federation, 2016 • Rye Sustainability Committee Leadership Award Recipients, Spring 2018 • Westchester County Eco-Award, Summer 2018

EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY Learning technology develops digital citizenship, resourcefulness, adaptability, and creativity.

Technology is a tool to solve problems, innovate, and push the limits of what is possible. Technology is ever-changing, so learning technology is about digital citizenship, developing resourcefulness, adaptability, and creativity.

RCDS students learn to be well-rounded users of technology who are comfortable with existing tools and capable of embracing those yet to be developed.

WWW.RYECOUNTRYDAY.ORG/TECH

FACILITIES • Cohen Center for the Creative Arts, a 23,000-square-foot state-of- the-art facility augmenting the School’s curricular offerings in the arts and STEAM for Middle and Upper School students.

• Innovation Lab, an engineering-focused lab, supporting curricular offerings in computational biology and engineering.

• Makerspace, an innovation lab for Middle and Upper School students, serving as a hub of creativity and invention on campus and featuring a wide range of engineering and manufacturing equipment.

• Tech-ready classrooms equipped with Smartboards and audio/video hardware, as well as Zoom Rooms, a software-based room system that provides an integrated experience for hybrid-flex learning via video/audio conferencing and wireless screen sharing.

• Technology Resource Center.

• Middle School computer lab and makerspace.

• Lower School computer lab.

• Schoology learning management system.

• Electronic database resources in RCDS libraries.

ISTE STANDARDS RCDS upholds the International Society of Technology Education Standards, seven interconnected bands of technology goals that circumscribe the student experience. Our commitment is to educate digital citizens who embrace technology today and in the future by being...

1. Empowered Learners 2. Digital Citizens 3. Knowledge Constructors 4. Innovative Designers 5. Computational Thinkers 6. Creative Communicators 7. Global Collaborators

Educational Technology in Action

Common Sense School

• K-12 Digital Citizenship Curriculum • 1:1 Device learning for students in Pre-K through Grade 12 • Expansive suite of digital tools for engaged learning • Makerspace Apprentice Program • Coding for a Cause Course

RCDS is recognized by the safe tech and media non-profit Common Sense Media as a Common Sense School for its commitment to creating a culture of digital citizenship and teaching.

STEAM Collaborative learning experiences strengthen critical thinking, enable real-world problem solving, and spark imagination.

Rye Country Day’s commitment to STEAM enables the School to remain a forward-thinking institution that is poised to explore the breadth, depth, and interaction of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics, unlocking the limitless potential of students as they pursue and integrate these disciplines. STEAM enables students to be courageous, innovative thinkers who are able to adapt to new technologies and frameworks to meet current and evolving challenges.

WWW.RYECOUNTRYDAY.ORG/STEAM

FACILITIES • The Cohen Center for the Creative Arts featuring: ° Digital art studios for photography and videography. ° Two large studios for ceramics, sculpture, painting, and drawing. ° The innovative design Makerspace.

• Upper School: Seven science labs and the Innovation Lab for high-level science, computer science, and math.

• Middle School: Computer lab and four science labs.

• Lower School: Computer lab, art room, and science room.

STEAM IN ACTION • The Young Physicists Tournament • Women in Science Club and Enrichment program • SiSTEM (Students in STEM) enrichment program for local students • Tutorial partnership with local health care centers • Integrated STEAM and Maker units/clubs for Middle and Lower School students • All-School Innovation Fair • STEAMFest

Engineering and Interdepartmental Classes • Engineering & Design • Robotics • Science Research • Computational Biology • Makerspace Master Class and Apprentice Program

Interscholastic Robotics Teams • Grades 3-6 Sumo Bots • Grades 7-8 Vex IQ • Grades 9-12 Vex EQ

GLOBAL STUDIES Through global experiences and learning, students develop a deep understanding of other perspectives and of themselves.

Rye Country Day School prepares students to participate actively and ethically as global citizens. Through the study of world languages and cultures, global travel programs, and opportunities to learn about the diverse backgrounds represented in the RCDS community, students develop an understanding of the world around them and their place within it.

RCDS is an active member of the Independent Schools Experiential Education Network (ISEEN) and has adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Global Goals.         

WWW.RYECOUNTRYDAY.ORG/GLOBAL

The Global Studies program fosters a comprehensive understanding of world cultures, natural environments, and social and political systems. This is built on observing the interconnection between individuals, systems, and how one’s actions affect and are affected by those of others. This awareness prepares students to make meaningful contributions to the broader community with a deep sense of respect and appreciation for diverse perspectives, cultures, people, and environments.

SAMPLE GLOBAL EXPERIENCES Destination Focus

El Paso, TX       Immigration and border issues Iceland          Environmental sustainability Sicily           Classical languages and cultures Southern USA      Civil Rights history

HEALTH & WELLNESS Our programs empower young people with the skills and tools needed to be emotionally aware, resilient, and mentally and physically healthy.

Students’ perception of self and well-being underpins how they learn, think, and relate to others. At Rye Country Day School, we empower young people with the skills and tools needed to be emotionally aware, resilient, and mentally and physically healthy.

Our evolving Health and Wellness curriculum, informed by equitable and inclusive practices, teaches sustainable skills and strategies to effectively manage stress, anxiety, and depression and prioritize sleep hygiene, physical activity, social well-being, and healthy eating habits.

WWW.RYECOUNTRYDAY.ORG/HEALTH-WELLNESS

PARTNERSHIP ACROSS THE COMMUNITY At RCDS, Health and Wellness is a shared community priority. We work handin-hand with parents and guardians to support them in helping learners achieve balance and wellness both at school and at home. Dedicated teams of advisors, grade-level deans, faculty, coaches, learning specialists, counselors, and health educators provide ongoing support and feedback to promote responsible decision-making and life choices.

HEALTH & WELLNESS IN ACTION • Responsive Classroom philosophy in the Lower School focuses on engaging academics, positive community, effective management, and awareness.

• Mindfulness practices in Lower School routines include mindfulness toolkits and Peace Corners for meditation.

• Middle School SEEK program develops social and emotional literacy and explores issues related to early adolescence.

• Middle School Study Skills program strengthens executive function skills needed to become efficient, effective, and independent learners.

• Upper School Advisory focuses on building community, and students practice mindfulness exercises and explore mental health, identity, finding a sense of purpose, stress management, and emotional regulation.

• Junior and senior Peer Leaders guide freshmen through their first year of high school and teach the Life Skills course.

• Upper School Sophomore Health course offers practical knowledge and skills to help students make thoughtful decisions and navigate real-life events.

• Upper School Junior Seminar covers strategies for managing stress and identifying support structures.

• Senior Transition Days equip students with the tools they will use after graduation, including self-care, independent growth, and financial literacy.

• Mindfulness training for student-athletes.

• Environmental and Wellness Committee and community presentations for parents/guardians.

• Wildcat Wellness Newsletter and Family Portal.

• Community partnerships with Heard in Rye and RyeACT.

ARTS Creativity is nurtured through an extensive arts program that is woven into the fabric of student life.

With the guidance of dedicated, expert teachers, students explore passions and hone creative expression skills. The School’s state-of-the-art facilities provide expansive learning and practice opportunities across the arts, from music to drama and dance and the visual arts.

FACILITIES The Cohen Center for the Creative Arts featuring: • Digital art studios for photography and videography.

• Two large studios for ceramics, sculpture, painting, and drawing.

• The innovative design Makerspace.

• The experimental Black Box Theater with seating for 160.

The Edward B. Dunn Performing Arts Center featuring: • A professional theater with seating for 480.

• A dance studio with a sprung marley floor.

• Choral and instrumental rehearsal spaces and individual practice rooms.

Memorial Hall featuring: • Rehearsal and performance facilities and seating for 125.

MUSIC RCDS students explore music from a wide variety of genres and cultures through a vibrant Pre-K – Grade 12 music program. They develop the skills of singing, movement, listening, analyzing, composing, and playing instruments.

Numerous singing and instrumental ensembles along with non-performance courses and private lessons make music a central part of the student experience.

The 150-person all-community Festival Chorus Concert brings together students, parents/guardians, employees, and alumni in an annual collaborative event, showcasing our community’s commitment to the arts.

DRAMA AND DANCE In the Drama and Dance program, students are encouraged to take creative journeys that uncover the joy of performance. They strengthen technique, enhance performance and writing abilities, and broaden their knowledge of the performing arts. Drama courses and productions teach students to use the skills and art of drama to become more confident, mature, poised, clear, thoughtful, collaborative, and creative. Dance courses focus on gaining strength, coordination, agility, and grace, so students learn about the artistry of dance and choreography while developing the necessary athleticism to move with expertise.

From large scale productions to student-led performances, the stage is a place where RCDS students shine.

VISUAL ARTS In their study of the visual arts, students across divisions become aware of their potential to think, act, and learn in diverse and original ways. By re-evaluating the familiar and striving to interpret old ideas and traditions in new ways, students develop a sense of decision-making, a new enthusiasm for the arts, and a deep personal involvement in the creative process. The visual arts program at RCDS is rooted in the ongoing process of exploration of a wide range of materials combined with age-appropriate intellectual and creative challenges.

WWW.RYECOUNTRYDAY.ORG/ARTS

ATHLETICS Sportsmanship is emphasized through perseverance, team responsibility, and school spirit.

Athletics at RCDS are broad enough to prepare gifted athletes to compete at the college level, while at the same time ensuring that all students are exposed to the lifelong benefits of athletics and team participation. Our coaches serve as positive role models, developing a student-athlete’s sense of sportsmanship and love of the game.

RCDS teams have won numerous FAA League Championships and NYSAIS State Championships, and they have competed in the New England playoffs.

RCDS athletics are a fitting counterpart to academics, energizing both mind and body.

Willy the Wildcat, RCDS Mascot

WWW.RYECOUNTRYDAY.ORG/ATHLETICS

FACILITIES The Scott A. Nelson Athletic Center, a 40,000-square-foot building including: • Two Basketball courts • Four Squash courts • Locker rooms • Fitness center • Athletic training room • Wrestling/Yoga room The Gerald LaGrange Field House: • Indoor ice rink • Four indoor tennis courts Four state-of-the-art turf fields.

RCDS also partners with local organizations for use of track and field, golf, fencing, and sailing facilities.

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Interscholastic teams for Grades 7-12.

Sports FALL • Cross Country • Field Hockey • Football • Soccer

WINTER

• Basketball • Fencing • Ice Hockey • Squash • Wrestling

SPRING

• Baseball • Golf • Lacrosse • Sailing • Softball • Tennis • Track and Field

RCDS OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS

3 Cedar Street, Rye, NY 10580 914.925.4513 | admissions@ryecountryday.org

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