K-8 coed nonsectarian
PORTRAIT OF A GRADUATE
We’re so happy that you have decided to explore what Alexandria Country Day School has to offer your child and your family! Ours is a unique and vibrant community in which students learn deeply, play exuberantly, and reflect thoughtfully about the world and their places in it. From those first days of Kindergarten to the day they leave our campus to take on the adventures of high school, ACDS students know that they are part of a community that is dedicated to their growth, well being, and happiness. We believe that a school community encompassing Kindergarten through eighth grade provides the best environment for students to grow, maintain their sense of childhood, learn about themselves, and establish a personal foundation for future success. This model allows our oldest students to hone their leadership skills and develop their maturity during a particularly fragile and turbulent period of development, free of the pressures of a high school population. At the same time, they are able to be kids and to enjoy the pleasures of play and exploration. As they stand on the threshold between eighth grade and high school, our graduates look out upon a wide array of options, aware of what they want and need and prepared to take on whatever challenge lies ahead. ACDS students go on to attend the best high schools in the region, both independent and public, and make a difference in their communities. We strive to ensure that our students are
We strive to ensure that our students independent learners, independentare learners, effective communicators, community minded, andand balanced. These effective communicators, community minded, balanced. These characteristics, which constitute our Portrait of a characteristics, which constitute our Portrait of a Graduate, guide us Graduate, guide us in every aspect of our work with in every aspect of our work with children and families. children and families. In this brochure, you will learn about the many ways we accomplish these goals and hopefully you will come away with a strong sense of whether our joyful and engaging learning environment is the right fit for your family. Peruse these pages, look at our website, and most importantly, come and visit. You will get the truest sense of our school when you experience it with students and their teachers. We look forward to getting to know you. Warmest regards, Scott Baytosh Head of School
INDEPENDENT LEARNER
Stretch your The academic program at ACDS is designed not only to challenge students, but also to nurture their enthusiasm for learning. Whether it’s exploring the life cycle of butterflies in Kindergarten, taking part in Colonial Day in second grade, constructing prisms in fifth grade, or engaging in a political debate in eighth-grade history, many lessons are hands-on and experiential in nature. One ofyou the more you will hear in One of the more common refrains will common hear inrefrains teacher-student teacher-student interactions is the importance of interactions is the importance of self-advocacy. Students are taught self-advocacy. Students are taught to take increasing, to take increasing, age-appropriate responsibility own age-appropriate responsibilityfor for their their own learning. also taught the valuemistakes of making mistakes learning. They are also taught They the are value of making and and how to learn from them. how to learn from them. Language Arts. The goal of our language arts program is to help our students become skilled, lifelong readers and writers, critical thinkers, and engaging public speakers. We use the Reading and Writing Workshop approach to ensure that our
mind. students gain the necessary skills and knowledge in phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, writing craft and mechanics, as well as spelling. There is also a strong emphasis on oral language development and public speaking in all grades. Math. Students in Kindergarten through seventh grade follow the Math in Focus program, which is a version of Singapore Math, well known for its challenge and effectiveness. All eighth graders are exposed to Algebra 1 concepts, and students who demonstrate readiness will complete the course by the end of eighth grade. For Middle School students with exceptional mathematical abilities, there is also an opportunity to receive additional challenge through Stanford University’s Education Program for Gifted Youth. Science. In Kindergarten through fifth grade, science concepts are incorporated across the curriculum, and in grades six and above, science
classes incorporate physical and life sciences with a growing emphasis on STEM concepts. Social Studies. ACDS social studies teachers bring history to life and regularly teach through interactive simulations, field trips, and debates. Starting in third grade, we use the History Alive! curriculum. Our Festival of Learning establishes a year-long, cross-curricular theme of study in the Lower School and culminates in a week of special activities and presentations devoted to that theme. Middle School students spend the Festival of Learning week engaged in a mini-course, allowing them a unique educational opportunity to learn in depth about a topic not covered in their regular school schedule. And more. All students also benefit from regular instruction in the Spanish language, technology, information literacy, art, drama, music, and physical education.
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATOR Whether in school, work, or life, having the ability to express ideas in a coherent and effective manner is essential. Whether reading the morning message to their class in Kindergarten, reading original poetry at a local coffee house in third grade, making an iMovie about global warming in fifth grade, or writing a thesis paper in eighth grade, there are myriad opportunities built into the school day for students to develop their communication skills.
Across the curriculum, all ACDS students are challenged to demonstrate their learning through age-appropriate written and oral presentations. Our 1:1 iPad program provides additional tools for third through eighth grade students to create and enhance these presentations. Middle School students also participate in Speeches & Sweets, a series of evening events at which each student gives a speech that he or she has written. Followed by a dessert reception, Speeches & Sweets is a favorite ACDS tradition dating back to the School’s founding. Morning Meeting in the Lower School and Circle of Power and Respect in the Middle School provide structured time to build community within the classroom and address the social-emotional lives of students. There and throughout the school day, students are given the tools and support necessary to build and maintain positive and healthy interpersonal relationships with their peers.
Express Yourself.
ACDS always encouraged my desire for knowledge. My teachers gave me
direction, but I had the freedom to make my learning exciting.
I worked on several big projects where I could choose my own topic. For example, for my Science Fair project in 7th grade, I could select anything in Physics, so I chose to learn about Rocket Efficiency, which was a very interesting theme for me. For an English project in 8th grade, I selected the name, location, interior design, and menu for an imaginary restaurant based on my favorite book Flowers for Algernon.
Each of Laura’s teachers has really nurtured her love of reading and worked to strengthen her writing.
She is increasingly confident in expressing her ideas and opinions. There is nothing better than going down the hallway and reading the kids’ essays and poems and seeing the growth in vocabulary, description and expressiveness. Cara & Steven Duffield parents of Laura, 3rd Grade
Aktan Turdukulov ’13 St. Albans School Class of 2017
Kyle’s teachers have kept him excited and engaged, and we’ve seen his once shy demeanor transition into a more active and engaged personality. Kyle wants
to do his homework by himself. He prefers that we check it only after he has completed it.
Keith & Mary Burner parents of Kyle, 2nd Grade
I chose The Dangers of Food Coloring and Food-Borne Illnesses for my 5th grade Speeches and Sweets topic. It was very interesting to learn more about the topic and I learned that writing a paper is much, much more than putting a few sentences down on paper. It’s a hard process
to write a good research paper, and I loved the challenge.
Isabela Dunlap, 6th Grade
COMMUNITY MINDED
Give to others. Students at ACDS are taught that they are not only members of a school community, but local and global communities as well. Through a learning robust serviceprogram, learning program, Through a robust service the Festival of the Festival of Learning, and our social studies Learning, and our curriculum, social studies students students curriculum, learn about the world around learn about the world around them and take action. them and take action. Each grade commits to engaging in a service project related to their studies, and the school also takes time each year for all-school service events. ACDS is committed to being an engaged and active member of the Alexandria community.
Within the school community, older students become mentors to younger ones through our buddy program. Buddies participate in a variety of activities throughout the year and often form lasting bonds. Middle School students serve as the leaders of the school community through the Student Council, the Social Leadership group, and the Service Learning Leadership group. They also serve as Admissions Ambassadors, sharing their insights with prospective parents and students. ACDS graduates take this valuable experience with them and frequently serve in leadership positions in high school and beyond.
BALANCED
Pursue your passions. In today’s fast-paced world, finding balance in one’s life has become crucial. At ACDS, we provide a challenging academic
At ACDS, we provide a challenging program, but are also program,academic but are also deeply committed to ensuring deeply committed to ensuringthere there is ample time for to our students is ample time for our students participate in other in addition to unstructured to participate in other activities andactivities, unstructured playtime. playtime.
Three separate outdoor play spaces on our campus, as well as a gym, allow for choice during daily recess. Frequent PE, music, and art classes in all grades, and drama classes in grades five to eight, provide outlets for physical and creative energy. After school, ACDS offers not only aftercare, but a wide-range of extra-curricular activities. The choices change each trimester and include activities such as Harry Potter Club, dance, Legos, and puppet making. Instrumental music lessons are also offered at the school. Beginning in fourth and fifth grades, students are able to participate in our interscholastic athletics program. ACDS’s no-cut policy enables any interested student to participate in soccer, crosscountry, basketball, swimming, tennis, Ultimate Frisbee, and softball.
The Buddy Program is one of Vinnie’s favorites. To have an older student
take the time to help with projects and share valuable knowledge and experience is very special and comforting to Vinnie. Our son cannot wait until he is in fifth grade, so that he can become a buddy. Vinnie says, “it’s the coolest.” Vincent & Carrie Nicholson parents of Vinnie, 3rd Grade
I am one of the ACDS service learning representatives and attended the National Service Learning Conference. We learned ways to be good, effective leaders and got some great ideas on service projects we could do at ACDS. Last year at ACDS we did many different service projects and it felt
great to package 20,000 meals for Stop Hunger Now, plant beans in the school garden, and compost food in the cafeteria.
I can’t wait to do more! Rosie Fisher, 7th Grade
At ACDS the focus is not just on educating our children through the best programs and academics, but molding them into dynamic individuals. Camilo gets the balance we are looking for by the everyday academic tasks, and also through the little things. For example, every teacher and administrator knows him by name. This is huge for Camilo to feel safe, supported, and accepted. ACDS is also wonderful at building a sense of community. It’s
the combination of learning, being social, and feeling a part of something big that makes all the difference.
German Gomez & Tammy Osborne de Gomez parents of Camilo, 1st Grade
ACDS has helped me understand the importance of balance by teaching me to organize and manage my time. In third grade we learned how to record our assignments in our notebook planners and in Middle School we learned how to write long-term research papers that required a lot of time. By learning how to organize my homework assignments and plan for long-term projects, I have more free time to enjoy my activities. Shannon Ayres, 8th Grade
For more information, to schedule a visit, or to apply, please visit www.acdsnet.org or call the admissions office at 703.837.1303.
2400 Russell Road
Alexandria, VA 22301
703.548.4804
www.acdsnet.org
Alexandria Country Day School does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, or national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship program, or any other school-administered programs.