Accept the
challenge
Accept the challenge A third baseman completes a double play in the afternoon and in the evening silences the room as the menacing Bill Sykes in Oliver. An AP Calculus student identifies birdcalls in our 10-acre outdoor classroom. A senior soloist mentors freshmen in physics.
At The Providence Country Day School we know that if you challenge yourself you will grow. We know that success and failure teach us in equal measure—if we have challenged ourselves to try. PCD students are challenged every day—not only to make a faithful effort, but also to embrace a culture that says success here comes from being an engaged participant, not a spectator.
See things differently You think you know the answer. In fact you know you know the answer. But when you get to class you are challenged to consider a different point of view—to imagine that there might be a different right answer. Was the author’s intent really what you assumed it to be? What informed your classmate’s perspective? The black and white turns grey, and in the process becomes ever more vibrant.
Max, 10th Grade
“ I discovered pottery at PCD—now I throw whenever I can. Moving clay is amazing; everything you do directly affects what happens next. It’s different every time. It’s a great metaphor for life at PCD.”
“ I love how in history we learn to be historians instead of just how to study history. We read primary sources and discuss what we think. This year we thought together in class about what constitutes being a hero or villain when we examined the Conquistadors and Native Americans. Then we asked ourselves: Can we judge events from our own perspectives as opposed to only considering events from popular culture’s perspective? We have spirited debates and I always leave class seeing things in a new way.” Bookworm Lover of Latin Beginner-turned-master potter Tennis and soccer teammate Student Council difference-maker Spare time cellist
Working together in small groups allows students to share ideas and benefit from each other’s different strengths.
Get your hands dirty Planting a seed, throwing a pot, protecting the goal—these are messy enterprises. But getting your hands dirty at PCD also means being bold enough to try something new and open minded enough to think you might like it. Whether raising your hand in class, offering a helping hand to someone in need, or joining hands with teammates, this is a place where doing is an essential part of learning.
Lola, 7th Grade “ I totally surprised myself at PCD. I knew that starting at a new school would bring change but I had no idea that I would discover all these new things that I’m actually good at. I’ve never been an outdoor girl but PCD has this amazing outdoor classroom with woods and trails and all sorts of things to explore. It’s just part of our day and makes what we learn real. In science we’ll study different methods of counting populations, relate that to endangered species, and then we go outside and actually do it.” Ten acres of campus woodlands and wetlands are the focal point of the Living Classroom, where trails and the Pavilion provide ample opportunities for cross-disciplinary environmental exploration.
Photographer Budding naturalist Newly minted athlete (soccer, basketball, lacrosse) Confidence-collector Fan of small classes and great teachers Thespian
“ During classroom discussions everyone has something to say. I feel like I contribute a lot.”
Find your voice At PCD we all have something important to say. Every day we develop our unique points of view and discover new ways to express ourselves. At the same time, we take our responsibility as listeners seriously—supporting each other’s individual paths. We travel together and also independently. We are actors and audience, writers and readers, artists and critics, musicians and concertgoers. We challenge you to find your voice, express it, and be heard.
“ My family and my teachers inspire me to work harder every day. I challenge myself to do better and my success makes me happy. �
Gabe, 10th Grade “ PCD has given me a place to work hard and reach my goals, and I know that my teachers and coaches are always there to help me do my best. Finding balance is important. I love to write—with the discipline that enables me to put my ideas down on paper and express myself clearly. Music challenges a different part of me—where I can explore the freedom of jazz improvisation with the PCD ensemble. At the end of the day, my teammates and I search for balance of another kind—somewhere between control and abandon; individual effort and collective success. Every day is a full workout.” Jazz trumpeter Classical violinist Bilingual Spanish honors student Explorer and writer of ideas Golf and soccer playmaker Movie enthusiast
The Rhode Island Philharmonic offers accomplished musicians, as well as those just discovering instrumental music, a professional environment and a state-of-the-art digital piano lab in which to study, practice, and perform.
Make some noise The bell rings, lockers close, chatter flows, footsteps race. Sticks on sticks; balls on courts, in mitts, on racquets; breathing hard, cheering, encouraging‌ These are the sounds of PCD afternoons, as students shift from classrooms to athletic arenas. Everyone plays. Travel team veteran and first-time team member: you belong. Here you will experience the quiet satisfaction of personal growth and the irrepressible joy of celebrating with teammates. Making noise at PCD is making a footprint, having an impact—inside the classroom and out.
“ There aren’t enough seasons in the year and I want everything to be my #1 priority. But PCD makes it easy to be multi-dimensional. Everyone does a lot of things; that’s the whole point.”
PCD’s three-season athletic requirement creates opportunities for skill building, self-discovery, and collaborative growth.
Jess, 11th Grade “ I’m not a quiet person. I can’t help it; doing things I love just makes me giddy. And there are so many things to love here. I never thought I wouldn’t play softball but I wanted to come to PCD and so I had to try something new. Track is one of the best things that ever happened to me. I have friends I never thought I’d have, I discovered something I’m really good at that I love, and I found a new way to make a difference. Everyone has to do his/her best as an individual before the team can be its best. And everyone has that chance (and responsibility) here.” Record-holding javelin and shot-put thrower Judicial Board member Tennis convert and basketball stalwart Passionate admissions ambassador Peer tutor knowledge-sharer Student Council noisemaker Alto mainstay Harry Potter fanatic
Make something better
PCD students understand their role as part of something bigger than themselves. As such, they know what it means to make something better—by simply doing their best, and by going out of the way to lend a hand. Whether holding the door for a friend, helping a peer with a challenging Latin translation, putting a smile on someone’s face, or raising money for Burmese refugees, every day PCD students leave school, and the world around them, better than they found it.
“ I’ve tried a lot of things here I never did before and there’s always something new to learn. I taught high schoolers how to make bread and I think I learned as much as they did.”
Peder, 8th Grade “ I can always do better and I think when I do better it helps PCD be better. I love our small classes, the discussions, how I can always go to teachers for more information and how they make our learning meaningful. Our librarian won’t quit until she’s helped me find the answer to a question. One day my friends and I found an old glass bottle in the school forest and our teacher helped us figure out its age and what used to be in it. In a way I can control my own experience here by how hard I try and how I choose to express myself.” Discussion-starter 3-season athlete and lover of baseball Student Council mover and shaker World Arts Day workshop leader Petition-writer Clarinet-learner Game-to-try actor
An all-school day of service sends more than 200 PCD students and faculty members into the greater Providence community to help those in need.
Fit in by standing out You have an idea, but it’s a little out there. You want to try something new but you’re not sure if you’ll be any good. You have a passion and need a place for it to belong. The best way to fit in at PCD is to stand out. Fitting in here doesn’t mean coasting under the radar. We challenge you to speak up when you have something to say, stand up for what you believe, and stand out alongside your peers.
“ I love history. It’s not so much about history as it is about the way the teacher teaches; he makes you want to go back and think about things you discussed in class.”
If you are predisposed to specializing in something when you come to PCD, you quickly learn that there is a lot more you want to do.
Maya, 12th Grade “ I wanted to run for school president since the beginning of junior year. It had been six years since a female had been president and we were long overdue. I’m comfortable in front of a crowd, and giving to others and making people happy makes me happy. At PCD, it’s OK to fail (not your classes—but when trying something new) so I had nothing to lose. This is a hands-on place. If you’re not actively involved—whether in the classroom, on the fields, or in service, you’re missing out.” Trail-blazing school co-president Proud melting pot of cultures Short-, middle-, and long-distance runner Dissector of frogs, pigs, and land sharks Admissions lead ambassador Risk-taker Loyal friend
Start here– Go there For every student who has gone through PCD’s red doors, there is a different journey that has been taken. We share the same space; we work, learn, and grow together—but also independently. So, too, our alumni leave here prepared for new and distinct journeys. PCD graduates leave here with more than a foundation for college. They take confidence, experience, and a willing spirit that support them in a world that says, “I am yours! Make of me what you will!”
Randelle Boots ’09
Aaron Samuels ’07
Wellesley College ’13, BA Environmental Studies Babson College, Olin College, Wellesley College, Certificate in Sustainability Business Development Representative, NetSuite
Washington University ’11, BA Economics and Philosophy Senior Associate Management Consultant, Bain & Co. Author
“ Wellesley was unbelievably challenging. I was surrounded by the smartest women in the world— all ready to change the world. PCD didn’t label me so I felt confident that I could pursue various interests. As an environmental studies major I loved my classes, but didn’t see myself making an impact without some additional experience. I took various business classes at Babson, and engineering classes at Olin (thanks for the physics foundation, Mrs. Tripp!), and I completed a certificate in sustainability through our tri-college collaboration. I was also an athlete—which I wouldn’t have been if not for PCD’s sports requirement. It turns out I love to run, and I ended up winning the mile at the NCAAs! After graduation I accepted a job in a new city (Denver), in an industry I knew little about, as a business development representative for NetSuite—the world’s leading provider of cloud-based business management software. Success to me is about making things better, which I know I can do when I combine my interest in sustainability and energy with my new-found technology experience.”
“ I have two full-time jobs. In a world where lots of people don’t have one, I am lucky to balance two worlds that I love. By day (and night because it’s so demanding) I am a management consultant for Fortune 500 companies. It’s all about problem solving and looking strategically at data without answers. Mr. Ossman prepared me for the business world in a big way with the best math experience I ever had. It was just me and the problem; it’s still that way. In the rest of my waking hours I am a poet, educator, community organizer, and change agent— using art to spark conversations about social justice and to change people’s minds. PCD gave me big leadership opportunities in a small environment. I could be a poet, a wide receiver, start the track team, get the grades, and get love for all that. I didn’t have to choose and I still don’t. Making the world a better place is a long play, but I’m in it for the long haul.”
Rachel Butera ’06
Pat McQuade ’06
Middlebury College ’10, BA International Studies, with a focus on Chinese language and culture and Economics ESL Teacher Hospitality Manager, The Four Seasons, Bali
Boston College ’09, BA, MA Accountancy Associate, PriceWaterhouseCoopers
“ After graduating from college (during which I spent a year in China), I went around the world in 30 days before settling in a rural village in Yunnan Province teaching English to 8th grade Chinese students. My year of teaching was HARD, despite being fluent in Mandarin, and relatively accustomed to Chinese culture. As frustrating as it was to get my students to say “thirsty” instead of “sirsty,” I found that being a disciplinarian was worse. Looking back I realize how much it taught me, and my students’ tears on my last day suggested I accomplished more than I thought. I would not be living abroad if it weren’t for the teachers at PCD, who taught me how to think critically and creatively and embrace the adventure of the unknown. It was with that spirit that I moved to Bali and pounded the pavement for a job in the hospitality industry. Persistence and hard work paid off and I landed a rare management track position with the Four Seasons which I love. Hopefully by the time this goes to press I’ll be back in China, managing a resort!”
“ I remember turning to my best friend at the end of senior year at PCD and saying ‘I feel so safe here but I’m really excited for what’s next.’ My ‘next’ was Boston College, majoring in accountancy and spending a lot of time in the philosophy department. (English with Ms. Hughes fired up the right side of my brain.) An internship at PriceWaterhouseCoopers confirmed that I was NYC-bound, but not before a three-month adventure teaching English in a rural village in Tanzania, exploring the Serengeti, and climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. Now I am surrounded by motivated people who expect a lot from me, and I work on interesting, complex investments that challenge me every day. I never feel I can’t do something—whether it’s climbing a mountain, solving a multi-million dollar financial puzzle, or being a Big Brother. The intimacy of my relationships at PCD—with peers, teachers, and coaches—combined with leadership opportunities I never could have imagined, made me see my own potential and develop the confidence that still helps me reach my goals.”
See for yourself. Nothing can take the place of experiencing PCD first hand. Watch our Accept the Challenge videos for an insider snapshot and/or make an appointment to visit and fully understand the advantages of being a part of the PCD community. Scan or visit: http://www.providencecountryday.org/admission/accept-the-challenge/index.aspx
Uniquely PCD There are many fine schools at which students will receive a good education. Yet each school is different and one size does not fit all. Just as each child is unique, so too is the experience each child will have at the school he/she attends. PCD teachers are not only experts in their disciplines, but they also are experts in adolescent education. It is what they do—and love. They are fire starters and light up the classroom every day, whether in a sixth-grade reading class or in one of the unique programs that you will find only at PCD. Arts Winter Session—a seven-week art term for students with full-year art commitments. The Atlas—a seven-day rotating daily schedule with built-in flexibility and improved workflow. John H. Chafee Leadership Forum—an annual leadership and public service conference. The Compass—unique grade level experiences that help students think about who they are and where they are going. Freshman Foundations—a comprehensive program that supports the emotional and academic transition from eighth grade to high school. The Nature Lab—a cross-curricular initiative that instills knowledge, stewardship and respect for the beauty and complexity of the environment using our 10-acre Living Classroom. Rhode Island Philharmonic Partnership—offering PCD musicians professional facilities and instruction as part of the normal school day. Senior Wellness Groups—a program that addresses the many issues facing college-bound seniors and provides them with skills to manage stress—now and in the future. Service—PCD’s formal service requirement reinforces the importance of giving to others and recognizes the efforts of students who extend themselves to do so. Visit our website for more information about these PCD initiatives.
PCD Geography Students come from over 45 different communities in southeastern New England to be a part of the PCD community.
Massachusetts Assonet Attleboro Berkley Dartmouth Fall River Franklin Mansfield Middleborough New Bedford North Attleboro
Connecticut Dayville Stonington
North Dartmouth Norton Rehoboth Seekonk Shrewsbury South Dartmouth Swansea Westport Wrentham
Rhode Island Barrington Bristol Cranston Cumberland East Greenwich East Providence Jamestown Johnston
Kingston Lincoln Little Compton Middletown Narragansett North Kingstown North Scituate North Smithfield
North Providence Pascoag Pawtucket Portsmouth Providence Riverside Rumford Saunderstown
Scituate Smithfield South Kingstown Tiverton Wakefield Warren Warwick
Just the facts Founded: 1923 Grades: 6–12
Affiliations: NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools), NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges), AISNE (Association of Independent Schools in New England), SSATB (Secondary School Admission Test Board).
Enrollment: 210 students Average Class Size: 12 students Campus Size: 31.5 acres (including 10-acre Living Classroom)
Number of Teaching Faculty: 36
Communities: 45+ communities in southeastern New England
Number of Teaching Faculty with advanced degrees: 22
Signature Programs: Arts Winter Session The Atlas Chafee Leadership Forum The Compass Freshman Foundations The Nature Lab Physics First Rhode Island Philharmonic Partnership Senior Wellness program Service
Athletic Teams: PCD offers a wide range of athletic opportunities, including baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, sailing, soccer, swimming, tennis, track and field, and wrestling.
Clubs: 15+ co-curricular clubs and activities Students Receiving Financial Aid: 40% Number of Alumni: 4,015
Mission The mission of the Providence Country Day School is to inspire lives of engaged citizenship in a diverse community of motivated learners. By meeting high standards for academic achievement, ethical behavior and community participation, PCD students grow with confidence and prepare for a lifetime of learning and leadership.
Core Values Commitment and Participation—Individual commitment and active participation are the personal contributions that open doors to confidence and competence. Growth is the triumphant result of surpassing one’s own expectations. Diversity—Diversity is the wealth of our community. When we embrace the many perspectives among us, we are enriched with an increased cultural awareness and sense of belonging. Hard Work—Persistence and hard work are essential ingredients for success in all areas of personal growth and achievement.
Honesty—Honesty is the foundation of our community. Our strength is secured by trust, and that trust grows through truth in actions and words.
Intellectual Curiosity—Intellectual curiosity is the spark that drives us toward academic excellence.
Respect—for oneself, for others, for ideas and for property—is the vital connection that makes every individual a valued member of our community.
Teamwork—Shared experiences and teamwork embody the interdependence of each member of our school, and fulfill our potential as a dynamic community of learners.
Directions to PCD: From 95 North or South: Take 195 East to Exit 6. Bear left at end of exit and proceed to first traffic light. Turn left onto Pawtucket Avenue and proceed to next traffic light. Turn right onto Waterman Avenue. The first left is the PCD entrance. From Route 195 west: Take Route 114A (Exit 1, Seekonk). Turn right at end of exit onto 114A and proceed to first traffic light. Turn left onto County Road and take a right at next traffic light onto Waterman Avenue. PCD entrance is approximately one mile on the right.
Design: Š Peapod Design, New Canaan, CT
660 Waterman Ave. East Providence, RI 02914 401.438.5170
www.providencecountryday.org