Providence Country Day School Viewbook

“The teachers are exceptional. They learn each student’s strengths and weaknesses and create a learning environment in which the kids succeed. The curriculum is rigorous and challenging; the teachers provide constant support. Outside of the classroom, students are encouraged to participate in the activities that pique their interest. It is not unusual to find a star athlete who is also in the drama program. PCD is definitely a place that caters to the ‘whole child.’”

—Lori Kooloian, Parent

On behalf of the entire faculty and staff, welcome to the Providence Country Day School! We are Rhode Island’s most joyful place for students and families to learn.

As we embark upon celebrating our 100th anniversary, PCD enters its second century of educational excellence and opportunities. Our school motto, Play the Game, sets the tone for all facets of school life. Our students Play the Game by taking bold risks, discovering hidden passions, and fearlessly challenging the status quo. At PCD we know that our students learn most by doing; by playing the game, not just watching it!

Thanks to a groundbreaking merger with the Henry Barnard School in 2021, Providence Country Day now serves 375 students in Pre-K through Grade 12 on our beautiful 35-acre campus in East Providence. We are big enough to provide a robust co-curricular program, and small enough to guarantee that every child is supported and challenged to ensure they fully realize their potential.

The pages you are about to peruse in our Viewbook encapsulate some of the magic at PCD, but not all of it. So that you can fully take in the joy and wonder here, I extend a heartfelt invitation to you to visit our campus and experience the warmth and spirit of PCD firsthand. I look forward to meeting you and your family soon.

Go Knights!

Kevin Folan Head of School

Pre-K to Grade 4

WE ARE

explorers

lower school The Henry Barnard School at PCD recognizes students’ individuality, using their differences as strengths while providing a curriculum that integrates life experiences and diverse talents. HBS stands out from other schools due to its community-driven approach, where teachers work together in planning and every teacher knows each student by name, creating a family-like atmosphere.

“PCD is a home. I feel a sense of security knowing my children have so much support from every person who works there. They are the best at creating community not only for the children but for the parents as well. The best choice I ever made was sending my son to PCD.” —Jessica Adams, Parent

HBS develops confident students who are curious, compassionate, and academically prepared.

WE ARE

Grades 5-8 Grades 5-8

collaborators

middle school A middle school education at Providence Country Day offers students in Grades 5–8 a

hands-on and inquiry-based approach to learning. The small class size and the collaborative environment empower and nurture students at this critical stage in their development.

While the challenging curriculum provides a solid foundation for college-preparatory work in our high school program, experiential and interdisciplinary learning is a hallmark of the Middle School program. Frequent out-of-classroom opportunities connect subject matter with relevant, real-world experiences and foster creative thinking.

“Middle school is a fantastic age: the students are open to learning, and that’s a great opportunity to get them excited about the world around them! Because our classes are small, I really get to know the kids and am able to work with them closely.”

— Heather Helger, Middle School Science Faculty

WE ARE

Grades 9-12

leaders

The Upper School at Providence Country Day (Grades 9-12) encourages students to develop the tools they need to succeed in and out of the classroom. With our strong student-teacher relationships and students being welcome to join in all aspects of school life, PCD creates personalized learning that is tailored for every student.

Students in the Upper School are given the opportunity to participate not only in the classroom but also in student government, in the arts, in athletics, and in other co-curricular activities. The Upper School is designed to inspire, challenge, encourage, and support all students, wherever they are in their unique educational journeys. Students go forth from PCD as independent learners and thinkers, with the skills and practice they need to be resourceful, ethical innovators in both new and familiar settings.

“One of my favorite parts of PCD is the small class sizes and the small student population in general. It allows students to form a close relationship with their teachers, making the learning experience better. The small student body allows for a close-knit community that would be much harder to have at a bigger school.”

— Kevin G., Student

upper school

college counseling The college counseling process, in which students and their parents participate collaboratively, supports the continuation of each student’s individual educational journey.

WE ARE

prepared

PCD’s college counseling process offers unique grade-level experiences to help students prepare for future success—in high school, college, and beyond. Through a series of activities and initiatives starting in Grade 9, students are encouraged and empowered to develop self-awareness and consider their future beyond graduation. The Director of College Counseling works closely with each student and their family to develop a plan for success that will provide a foundation throughout the student’s academic years and into their career as a working adult.

“PCD encouraged the exploration of interdisciplinary studies, which has helped me find the ways that my interests in art and science overlap. I now do research in Vassar’s herbarium and study hundred-yearold pressed plants as both items of beauty and scientific specimens.”

— Alison Carranza ’19 Vassar College ’23 Post-Baccalaureate Fellow, Yale University’s Cultural Heritage Research & Practice program

Our alumni attribute their college and career success to early lessons taught at PCD through the rigorous curriculum and relationships with faculty and peers. PCD graduates cite critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, problem solving, and perseverance as being important to their success.

94% of PCD graduates matriculated at their top choice college or university

Supporting Our Students Beyond the Classroom Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Embracing a wide array of backgrounds and perspectives not only enhances our cultural awareness but also fosters a profound sense of belonging. At PCD, we cultivate an environment where we actively engage in listening to and learning from one another. Through this commitment, we aim to foster a vibrant community that not only represents but also celebrates the diversity of the world around us.

Advising

The Learning Center

Every PCD student is assigned an advisor who knows them across all areas of school life, and provides support, oversight, and guidance, to help each student make the most of their PCD opportunities.

Over time, advisory groups (typically about seven students) become a core of peers, who navigate shared experiences and explore community themes together.

The Learning Center is a vital hub at Providence Country Day. It provides students who have diverse learning profiles with personalized instruction incorporated into their regular school day. Students who enroll in TLC work with learning specialists to develop individualized strategies and tools in support of their unique learning style.

Tutorials & Our Schedule Both the Middle and the Upper School divisions have time built into their daily schedules during which all teachers and students are available to meet for extra help, review, and practice. Because this dedicated community time is a part of the schedule, there is no conflict with other commitments.

arts

PCD’s visual and performing arts programs offer inspiring, inclusive, and supportive environments that encourage students to develop both their artistic ability and their self-confidence.

WE ARE

creators

The arts at PCD color each student’s experience with confident, bold brushstrokes of creativity and exploration. Our hallways are often filled with the sound of vocal and instrumental music. Students find abundant opportunities for exploration and expression, with expert teachers who emphasize the process rather than the end result.

The art program at PCD is a welcoming place for both students who are newly discovering their artistic techniques and those who already have a passion and skill they’re seeking to develop further.

Through a combination of skill development, critical analysis, and performance, each student is given the opportunity to open new doors to self-expression.

“The Art Department gave us the free range to solve problems and think critically, enabling us to create our works of art, thinking of how everything fit together. You didn’t have to fit into one niche. It was about trying new things, exploring, and having an open mindset.”

—Griffin Kirby ’12 Wentworth Institute of Technology ’18 Partner/Designer, AK Studios

athletics

WE ARE

competitors

Our school motto proclaims: “Play the Game.” Every student at PCD is encouraged to embrace this mentality, where playing the game means doing your best, respecting teammates and opponents, and striving for personal improvement while learning how to handle both winning and losing gracefully. Athletics at PCD encourages students to develop their personal skills—physical and mental—and to learn about themselves and others in a way that will set a foundation for future success.

With a variety of sports available each season that include both competitive and instructional levels of play, each student at PCD has a place to learn and grow as an athlete (whether they are athletically inclined or haven’t been thus far in their school careers). At PCD, we put a premium on athletic participation, with students expected to push themselves to their personal best, whether that is trying a totally new sport or helping their varsity team win the state championship.

“No one is a sideliner here.”

—Charles Breed First Headmaster of PCD

“Some of my favorite memories of PCD are the days that we would come together as a school for activities or events. Everyone worked hard in school and sports, but we knew how to have fun, too. Everyone wanted to be well-rounded students and that’s why PCD is so special—it was about trying new things and discovering your passion or where you excelled.

school spirit

— Julianna Sabra ’08 Fairfield University ’12 Co-Head, Foundation & Community Engagement, New York Mets

WE ARE

Knights At our school, Knight Pride resonates within every student, teacher, and staff member. The school colors— Red & Black—are worn proudly to demonstrate the Core Values of Respect, Teamwork, and Hard Work. Together we cultivate a culture of community strength, where individuals are encouraged to demonstrate bravery like the Knights we are, striving to achieve greatness in all that we do while maintaining a commitment to the values and ethics that are the bedrock for future success.

Knight Pride is about supporting each other as we strive to “Play the Game”—whether that means cheering on classmates competing in a playoff match, or celebrating our teams as they compete in academic competitions such as Robotics or Mock Trial, or showing up to applaud our PCD Players as they take a bow after a musical production. Our school spirit is a defining quality of our community, and together we celebrate our Knight Pride.

WE ARE

connected

The PCD community extends far beyond our campus. It reaches across the country and around the world, but no matter how far our Knights travel, they can always stay connected.

Through Facebook and Instagram, we provide a glimpse of day-to-day school life, share stories of alumni success, and recap major school events.

We are truly one connected Knights Nation!

@provcountryday www.facebook.com/ProvidenceCountryDay

“Everyone at PCD knew my name by the end of the first week, if not sooner than that. It was really nice to be somewhere where people actively wanted to get to know me. I just felt so supported right from the get-go, and that kind of support allowed me to become more comfortable and branch out and try new things.”

— Natasha Bansal ’19 Haverford College ’23 Paralegal Specialist, U.S. Department of Justice

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about PCD as you search for the best-fit school for your child and your family.

We are excited to share our school and community with you and invite you to visit our campus, explore our website and social media pages, and engage with us to discover “why PCD.” Please feel free to reach out to any member of the Admissions Team at any time during your search process. We are always happy to help, and we look forward to assisting you during this exciting time.

— The PCD Admissions Team

Important Deadlines December 31 New Families: Financial Aid application deadline February 1 Admissions application deadline (all admissions materials are due to the Admissions Office on this date) Late February/Early March Admissions and financial aid decision notification (all decisions for admission and financial aid will be sent to applicants around this time) Mid-March Family decision notification (enrollment contracts and decision notifications are due to PCD) *After the December 31 and February 1 deadlines, the Admissions Office will continue to accept applications on a rolling basis as space allows.

Please contact the Admissions Office at (401) 438-5170 x137 if you are interested in learning more about the application process and scheduling a visit to campus. www.providencecountryday.org/admissions

Campus Tours & Interviews As part of the admissions process, prospective students will spend time visiting the Providence Country Day School campus.

Families will have the opportunity to interact with community members, meet school leadership, and tour our facilities.

Students and parents will interview with a member of our Admissions Team, which presents a great opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the PCD community.

660 Waterman Avenue, East Providence, RI 02914-1724 www.providencecountryday.org