Seattle Country Day School is a renowned high school established in NC Seattle in 1964. Their inquiry-based instructional program encourages creative problem solving, requires the application of knowledge, and places high value on the generation of new ideas.
As an institution of learning, Seattle Country Day School commits to serving a diverse range of learners in the Seattle metropolitan area.
In this article, we’ll highlight all you need to know about Seattle Country Day School. I’m sure you don’t wan to miss this. See the table of contents below for a quick look at the headings.
About Seattle Country Day School
Seattle Country Day School was founded in 1962 by a small group of people, mostly parents who seek to establish a special educational program for their children. The school was incorporated in 1964 under the directorship of Lucile G. Beckman.
Established as an independent private Kindergarten to grade 8 (K-8) school, Seattle Country Day School is located at 2619 4th Avenue N Seattle, WA 98109, U.S.A.
As a school that values excellence, their inquiry-based instructional program encourages creative problem solving, requires the application of knowledge, and places high value on the generation of new ideas.
SCDS has a talented faculty team (experienced teachers) whose goals are to focus on Intellectual and Character growth.
Seattle Country Day School is in affiliation with the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS).
How To Get Admission at Seattle Country Day School
The entry levels are Kindergarten, third grade, and sixth grade, applications are accepted at all grade levels. Its commitment is to establish diverse ways of serving gifted learners in the Seattle metropolitan area
Seattle Country Day School has a total number of 377 students, 73 classroom teachers, and an average class size of 16 students. The admissions process determines if the program is suitable for prospective students. Also, through this admission process, a successful learning experience for the students is created.
Candidates seeking admission at Seattle Country Day School may begin the application process during the early fall one year prior to the anticipated enrollment of your child. For the 2022-23 school year, the process begins in fall 2020.
The application can be done via Ravenna, an online application system for submitting all application materials. To get started, an account for Revenna must be created.
All applicants are advised to take a Wechsler Intelligence Scale test which is a test of cognitive ability and not an achievement-based test. Additionally, each prospective student is accessed based on his/her Wechsler test results, the parent questionnaire, teacher evaluations, transcripts, information from the student visit, and any in-house assessment or another testing.
Admission requirements for Kindergarten
Here are the specific requirements for admission into kindergarten. Candidates must;
- Schedule Wechsler Intelligence Scale test.
- Virtual parents visit either take a virtual tour or attend the virtual open house.
- Submit the online application via Ravenna.
- A virtual Family Meeting is required. Upon completion of the online application and submission of qualifying IQ test results, the Seattle Country Day School office will reach out to the family to schedule a brief 20-minute Zoom meeting to learn more about the child.
- Request teacher evaluation from a current teacher. Teachers writing recommendations should not be sports coaches or extracurricular teachers. The teacher can upload the teacher evaluation via Ravenna.
- Submit the $70 nonrefundable application fee via Ravenna.
- A Virtual Student Visit Day will be assigned by the Office of Admissions after the application is complete (when the application, fee, teacher evaluation, and qualifying IQ assessment results are all submitted and received).
Admission requirements for Grade 1-4
Just like the admission requirements for kindergarten, candidates seeking admission into grades 1-4 must;
- Schedule Wechsler Intelligence Scale test.
- A Virtual Parents Visit is required either take a virtual tour or attend the virtual open house.
- Submit the online application via Revenna.
- Request a current transcript. School transcripts can be uploaded to Ravenna by a student’s current school’s registrar, sent in the mail (SCDS Admissions, 2619 4th Avenue N, Seattle WA, 98109), or emailed to [email protected].
- Request two teacher evaluations. One evaluation should be completed by a current teacher. Teachers writing recommendations should not be sports coaches or extracurricular teachers. The teacher can upload the teacher evaluation via Ravenna.
- Submit the $70 non-refundable application fee via Revenna.
- A Virtual Student Visit Day will be assigned by the Office of Admissions after the application is complete (when the application, fee, 2 teacher evaluations, and transcripts are all submitted and received).
Admission requirements for Grade 5-8
- Schedule Wechsler Intelligence Scale test.
- A Virtual Parents Visit is required either take a virtual tour or attend the virtual open house.
- Submit the online application via Ravenna.
- Submit optional standardized test results. Students applying to 5th through 8th grade may choose to submit optional achievement testing. Achievement testing will be added to the application file should a student choose to submit it. If the student is taking the Independent School Entrance Exam or the Secondary School Admission Test, scores can be submitted directly to Seattle Country Day School. The SSAT code for Seattle Country Day school is 7242 and ISEE code is 481686.
- Upload PSIS Middle/Upper School Student Essays and PSIS Student Interests & Activities Form to Ravenna.
- Request two teacher evaluations. One evaluation should be completed by a current Math teacher. The other should be completed by a current Language Arts teacher. Teachers writing recommendations should not be sports coaches or extracurricular teachers. The teacher can upload the teacher evaluation via Ravenna
- Request current school transcripts. Transcripts can be uploaded to Ravenna by your current school’s registrar, sent in the mail (SCDS Admissions, 2619 4th Avenue N, Seattle WA, 98109), or emailed to [email protected].
- Submit the $70 non-refundable application fee, payable by credit card through Ravenna.
- A Virtual Student Visit Day will be assigned by the Office of Admissions after the application is complete (when the application, fee, 2 teacher evaluations, transcripts, and standardized test results are all submitted and received).
Programs offered at SCDS
Seattle Country Day School program varies according to grade levels, all Seattle Country Day students study an enriched core of subjects, including reading and writing, math, science, art, music, computer technology, and world languages. The classes are small and are carefully grouped each year.
Seattle Country Day School creates learning opportunities that encourage gifted students to develop variant critical-thinking abilities and personal problem-solving strategies. These possibilities are made true through the following programs;
#1 Lower School
Seattle Country Day School Lower School establishes a foundation for constructive learning habits, both academically and socially. Students are given assistance to develop and apply skills that demonstrate understanding, respect, and self-confidence. Emphasis is placed on horizontal enrichment designed to broaden conceptual understanding rather than on vertical acceleration. The lower school seeks to impact the students in two dimensions:
- Academically – By placing value on conceptual understanding. Seattle Country Day School classes create access for the expansion of topics into meaningful interdisciplinary experiences, developing students’ critical-thinking abilities and problem-solving strategies.
- Socially – With an emphasis on the growth of students as their academic development, Seattle Country Day School imbibes the discrete teaching of social and emotional skills in the school’s curriculum and the Social and Emotional Learning program (SEL). Social and Emotional Learning helps students become responsible for their behavior, cooperate as members of a group, and show empathy for others both in the schoolhouse and in the surrounding world.
Lower School students have a homeroom teacher who provides reading, writing, math, social studies, and science instruction, as well as a specialist for math and science which further enrich their studies. The Lower School also offers classes taught by specialists in the areas of art, music, technology, physical education, health, Spanish, Mandarin, and library/information services.
#2 Intermediate School
Seattle Country Day Intermediate School model program changes from the Lower School self-contained classroom model to single-subject instruction in the Intermediate School.
Intermediate School builds upon social and emotional learning, language arts, mathematics, and foreign language skills developed in the Lower School. Core subjects for grades 4-5 include language arts, social studies, mathematics, science, library, technology, art, band, drama, Spanish, Mandarin, and physical education.
These Specialists in each subject teach grades 4-5, allowing students to develop relationships with those closely tied to their areas of study. Across all subjects, methods of teaching emphasize inductive and deductive reasoning, a growing ability to plan strategically, and increased efficiency.
Courses offered in the Intermediate School does not only enhances learning and productivity, but it also helps student cultivate scholarly minds and compassion.
SEE ALSO: College Student Budget Template: How To Track Your Spending In School
#3 Middle School
Seattle Country Day School’s Middle School consists of grades 6-8, providing a fluid but structured environment. The Middle School continues the single subject teaching model used in the Intermediate School, and as the students mature in their cognitive and creative development, they become responsible for their own independence and freedom. This Powerful learning experiences allow students to dig into the intriguing subject matter at a rigorous level, and students begin to see themselves as school, local, national, and global citizens.
Analytical and critical thinking skills are key when progressing through Seattle Country Day School’s middle school curriculum. The International class trips provide an opportunity for students to apply for their work in humanities as they travel across the world, and students delve deeper into the classroom with mathematics, science, art, drama, speech and debate, physical education, Spanish or Mandarin, library, technology, and Life Skills.
From the sixth grade, students can select from over 45 elective offerings ranging from songwriting to historical geology to performing arts and video game development in order to supplement their core classes. Seattle Country Day School’s Middle School curriculum is conducive to self-starters and aims to produce graduates who leave SCDS with an appreciation for themselves, the community, and how they can contribute to the world around them.
#4 Seattle Country Day School’s Technology and Arts
Seattle Country Day School technology program engages students in the exploration of digital media, mechanical principles, electronics, engineering, robotics, 3-D modeling, laser cutting, visual design, and programming. Students learn through inquiry and apply their knowledge, both collaboratively and individually, through unique projects that allow them to explore, experiment, and apply their creativity.
The Arts program also emphasizes the process over product. Therefore, students are challenged to experiment, take risks, and develop a strong, creative voice when working with a range of media including ceramics, drawing, painting, sculpture, collaborative installation, collage, and printmaking. The arts curriculum also offers opportunities for students to make connections to other content areas, take class trips, and learn about well-known artists with a goal to deepen their understanding of themselves and others. In each division, the arts program develops artistic habits, problem-solving skills, persistence, self-reflection, and confidence when sharing ideas and work.
This social and emotional education is tailored for Seattle Country Day School’s gifted students and its positive impact can be felt far beyond the classroom. Social and emotional learning is a cornerstone of the student experience at SCDS.
Starting in the Lower School, students learn to build relationships with one another, identify and regulate their emotions, and contribute to a diverse community. In Intermediate School, students learn the neuroscience behind emotions and participate in group activities that foster cooperative leadership and communication skills. In the middle school’s advisory program, students continue to explore creativity, empathy, and the role of technology in their lives.
Seattle Country Day School’s Tuition
As an impact, excellence and profit driven school, SCDS pegs its tuition fee at a rate deemed favorable by the authorities. The tuition fee vary per program;
To ease the burden of tuition payment, SCDS enables one payment, three payments, or ten payments. An enrollment deposit is required with the enrollment agreement.
Financial Aid and Scholarship Opportunities Available at SCDS
Seattle County Day School Financial aid provides assistance to families for whom, without such assistance, a Seattle Country Day School education would not be an option. Financial assistance is based on family financial need and does not need to be repaid, but recipients must reapply for financial aid each year. Admissions and financial aid decisions are made independently. Admissions decisions are made based on whether SCDS is best suited to meet a student’s educational needs.
The Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS) must be submitted to School & Student Services (SSS) and additional required documents may be submitted. Parents’ Financial Statement: 2020 1040 with all filed schedules and attachments, as well as 2020 W2; 2020 IRS Form 4506.
Seattle Country Day School’s Ranking
Seattle Country Day School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Washington for: The Largest student body and the Most sports offered.
Conclusion
As a leading school in Seattle, SCDS’s mission statement is to Inspire gifted children to reach their potential through inquiry, curiosity, and wonder.
