UPPER School Program
In their words.
The Advantages of
Lancaster Country Day School
As my daughters graduate from Country Day, I will have provided them a value that cannot be lost. -Maura Umble, Parent
From the Head of Upper School
T
The best upper schools open hundreds of doors – to opportunity, to perspective, and to a life of service and meaning. Country Day’s Upper School offers a challenging and engaging academic environment that develops each child’s analytic abilities and creativity. LCDS prepares students superbly for college and also cultivates a lifelong love of learning. Uncovering value in education requires a close look. We hope this publication’s research and perspectives will provide you a greater understanding of what we feel is an extraordinary place. – C. Eric Bondy
Shared Voices on tHree Upper School Advantages 1 Academic Excellence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 2 2 Real Leadership Experience. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 4 3 Intellectual Courage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 6 1
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Academic Excellence
Academic and Intellectual Advantages
Academic achievement is a hallmark of an independent school
school-educated peers,
A
education, and our Upper School follows the independent school
Compared to their public college students with educational backgrounds
model especially well. Founded in 1908, Country Day has a strong
such as Country Day’s are
history of preparing students for college and beyond.
more likely to:
At LCDS, all students take the SATs or ACTs. In 2009, Country
Adjust to academic demands comfortably
Day’s SAT scores ranked more than 300 points higher than the
Perform better academically
average private and public school scores in the region and placed
Experience greater intellectual self-assurance
the school on par with top schools throughout the northeast.* Lancaster Country Day School also cultivates other important attributes, listed in the sidebar.
Many schools offer Advanced Placement (AP) classes to their
Possess better ability and greater experience as writers Enjoy greater creativity
AP classes. LCDS expects all AP students to sit for the year-end
General AdvantagesAcademic, Social, and Emotional
examination. In 2010, our students earned a 4 or 5 on more than
As college freshmen,
70% of those exams.
graduates of schools like
top students. In 2010, 75% of LCDS Juniors and Seniors took
* PA Department of Education, “State, District and School Report Cards,” Pde.state.pa.us, http://www.pde.state.pa.us/pas/cwp/view. asp?a=3&Q=95497, (accessed October 3, 2009)
Country Day are more likely to feel they are at least above average or even in the top 10% of their age group in terms of:
Social self-confidence Public speaking ability Physical health Understanding others** ** NAIS Graduates: Ready and Able to Adjust and Excel at Academic Life,” NAIS.com, http://www.nais.org/ research/article.cfm?ItemNumber=154015 (accessed December 15, 2010)
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Our area public school offers an elaborate AP curriculum. But my husband and I noticed that a peer-based love of learning was not as widespread as we would have liked. Country Day’s students have a wonderful work ethic and core values that have helped our children develop to their full potential. Our town’s schools are strong, but we feel
How do we achieve these outcomes?
that classroom discussions,
Country Day’s innovative Lower and Middle School divisions
the deep emphasis on writing,
successfully cultivate students’ drive and intellectual curiosity.
and the true preparation for a
Our ninth grade students arrive ready to enjoy learning. Our
rigorous college experience put
reputation attracts and secures top faculty from across the
Country Day a step above.
country. Our small class sizes promote steady progress. By
Deirdre Jarman, Parent
tradition, high expectations and rigor are normal here.
We invite students to go beyond the boundaries of traditional LCDS provided so many opportunities to travel - first to Italy, then to Spain and finally to the Hague with the MUN Course - that by the time I began
classrooms. LCDS is one of only six schools nationwide invited to experience the Model United Nations at the Hague each January; the school also offers Beat Poetry classes traveling through the American West, art classes studying the architecture and galleries
to weigh colleges, my search was
of Rome, Spanish classes studying the art and culture of Madrid,
largely international in scope.
and many other options. These outward-looking classes prepare
All of the experiences of travel
students properly for the 21st century world.
at LCDS helped me choose to matriculate at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland and
What appears to set me apart from most of my college classmates is how well prepared I was for biology, calculus and chemistry. I am especially
made my transition into living
grateful for Mrs. Trout’s advanced topics course in chemistry, which made
abroad very easy and enjoyable.
my current coursework familiar and easy to absorb.
Ben Murdoch, Class of 2010 3
Matt Hurley, Class of 2010
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Real Leadership Experience
F
Social and Emotional Advantages As college freshmen, graduates of schools like Country Day are more likely
Families visiting Country Day quickly notice students’ warmth
to feel they are at least above
and self-assurance. LCDS develops the whole child by weaving
average or even in the top
athletic, artistic, musical, community service, and travel experiences into the curriculum. Graduates report that these investments leave them well prepared academically and
10% of their age group in terms of:
Self-understanding
thoroughly comfortable socially at even the most selective and
Interaction with teaching faculty
competitive colleges. Research, presented in the sidebar, affirms
Emotional health
our graduates’ experiences.
Ability to work cooperatively with diverse people***
LCDS has provided a variety of leadership opportunities in sports, in community service, in theater, and in my work as a reporter for the newspaper. Through HOBY (Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership), I come in contact with other leaders from all over the state. They find it surprising that we are able at LCDS to have leadership roles in so many different areas in such a substantive way. Kelsey Gohn, Student *** NAIS Graduates: Ready and Able to Adjust and Excel at Academic Life,” NAIS.com, http://www.nais.org/ research/article.cfm?ItemNumber=154015 (accessed December 15, 2010)
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We credit an important part of our children’s self-assurance and engagement with their college education to the model of academic learning at LCDS. Here they began to recognize the value of showing personal initiative and developing positive relationships with faculty. Their academic opportunities were complemented by active participation in both athletics and the arts through the Upper School. Both benefited from their leadership opportunities in all
Country Day’s size allowed our children – good athletes – to be highly successful in more than one area. With six teams in the district playoffs
areas of their school experience.
last year, and two in the state playoffs, LCDS offers the experience of
LCDS was what we wanted in a
playing and leading in post-season competitions. Grads are confident, self-
school.
assured, and seem to keep it all in perspective. June Maier, Parent
Through every division, I have been satisfied that my children would be stretched and strengthened athletically at LCDS. My oldest son was recently accepted at a selective college. LCDS athletics was central to that success, and gave him excellent leadership experience, too. Jim Blickle, Parent 5
Anne Guenin, Parent
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Intellectual Courage
A
Academic and Intellectual Advantages Compared to public school graduates, freshmen from
At LCDS, students embrace learning and value intellectual growth. Our graduates feel more self-assurance, and as freshmen feel more in tune with their college campus communities. They end up more satisfied with their overall college experience. Research, presented in the sidebar, affirms these perceptions.
schools like Country Day are more likely to say that they frequently:
Ask questions in class Explore topics of their own initiative Speak up in class****
Every new student at Middlebury is required to take a freshman writing seminar. I definitely felt a significant advantage relative to the majority of my classmates as much of the structure, discussions, and expectations of the class were similar to those at Country Day. It is comforting to be at
At LCDS, we push each other
a highly selective college with really bright, motivated classmates and feel
intellectually. There is almost
completely at home, academically and socially.
a friendly competition to make
Maya Najarian, Class of 2010
the smartest, most thoughtful observation in class. It isn’t about winning and losing. At its best, some of it is group pride in being part of a bright community. Some of it is pride in delivering excellence for teachers we like. And yes, of course we’re here to grow and succeed individually. Haley Velletri, Student **** NAIS Graduates: Ready and Able to Adjust and Excel at Academic Life,” NAIS.com, http://www.nais. org/research/article.cfm?ItemNumber=154015 (accessed December 15, 2010)
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At Country Day, I could compete in three varsity sports throughout Upper School. LCDS provided the competition to help me join a top D3 NCAA Field Hockey program and the leadership experience to become captain of that team. We made the NCAA playoffs this fall. I will always be grateful to Country Day for helping make these experiences possible. Elise Landau ‘08 Sewanee: The University of the South
725 Hamilton Road • Lancaster, PA 17603 • (717) 392-2916 • www.lancastercountryday.org