The Country Day School Reviews by Alumni, Students, and Parents

Our Take

The Country Day School (CDS) began, literally, over a dinner one evening in 1971. The region was in the process of amalgamating schools, which meant that students who had been attending local schools would be bussed to larger, more suburban ones. That didn’t sit well, in part because of the bussing involved, but also because of the sense of community that students had and, presumably, would lose by going to schools further afield. Seven families decided to do something about it, to take things into their own hands, and to build a school that would continue what had been developed in the rural, country schools that their children had been attending. (The name refers to that, as well as to the country day school movement that had been developing in the US since the late 19th century, with a period of renewed growth in the 1960s and 70s.) They didn’t have any experience building a school, but they turned to those who did, including Dick Howard, then head of Upper Canada College. “You’ve got to get a feel for the community,” was Howard’s advice, “who’s in it and how they perceive education.” And, for the next two years, that’s exactly what they did, speaking with families, and building a conceptual outline for what the school could be.

When CDS opened its doors in 1972, it was, in every way, an expression of the community that created it. The school has grown since then—enrollment has grown from 49 in that first year to over 700 today—and the community it sits within has grown and changed, too. Nevertheless, the school remains very much an expression of the families that turn to it. The size of the school allows for a very rich, robust extra-curricular program, and students are gently required to experience all aspects of it. The physical plant of the school has been significantly augmented through a recent and very sizable capital campaign. The core program continues to be underwritten by the values that the founding families intended to express, namely a sense of belonging, empathy, inclusion, and respect. The ideal student is one able to thrive in a vibrant, diverse, student-centred environment.

Country Day School - School Parent Video - 2022

In this Perspective:
00:55 - What was the process like for choosing this school?
03:34 - How has your child responded to being at this school?
05:57 - What does your child appreciate most about this school?
07:47 - As a parent, what do you appreciate most about this school?
08:56 - Was there anything that surprised you about this school?
10:42 - How are the school's values put into practice?
11:40 - Is there something your child has done at this school that they are proud of?
13:12 - What has your experience with teachers and administration been like?
14:50 - What are the three biggest reasons why a family should choose this school?
16:00 - What advice would you give to new families searching for a school?
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Country Day School - Ali Dashti - School Alumni Video - 2022

In this Perspective:
01:01 - What did you appreciate the most about this school?
03:30 - What do you feel differentiates this school from others?
05:29 - If this school were a person, what are three personality traits it would have?
07:56 - What connects the students at this school?
09:46 - What do you believe the school’s values are?
11:54 - What would students and families find surprising about this school?
12:56 - How do you think your experience at this school has shaped who you are today?
14:15 - How could your experience have been better?
15:20 - How has your perspective of the school evolved over time?
16:52 - What are three reasons for recommending this school to other families?
19:34 - What would you say to prospective parents about this school?
20:49 - What advice do you have for new students?
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Country Day School - School Alumni Video - Ali Iwai

In this Perspective:
01:02 - What did you appreciate the most about this school?
01:55 - What do you feel differentiates this school from others?
03:43 - If this school were a person, what are three personality traits it would have?
05:26 - What connects the students at this school?
06:15 - What do you believe the school’s values are?
07:20 - What would students and families find surprising about this school?
08:38 - How do you think your experience at this school has shaped who you are today?
09:51 - How could your experience have been better?
11:39 - How has your perspective of the school evolved over time?
13:13 - What are three reasons for recommending this school to other families?
14:33 - What would you say to prospective parents about this school?
16:10 - What advice do you have for new students?
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Country Day School - Ourkids Insider Perspective - Alumni 2021

In this Perspective:
00:52 - What Eric appreciate most about CDS
02:25 - Eric talks about what differentiates CDS
04:13 - CDS's personalities
05:32 - Common threads that connect the students at CDS
06:48 - School community members' intrinsic values
07:36 - How CDS shaped Eric
08:42 - One thing Eric would change about CDS
09:55 - Eric reflects on CDS
11:55 - Three biggest reasons to choose CDS
13:37 - Eric's advice to families considering CDS
14:00 - Eric's advise to students entering CDS
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Country Day School - Our Kids Insider Perspective: Alumni

In this Perspective:
1:07 - What have you been up to since graduating from Country Day School?
1:35 - How did Country Day School influence your post-secondary path?
2:09 - How did Country Day School inspire you to become a teacher?
3:01 - What would your Country Day School resume look like?
3:55 - What is your proudest memory from the school?
4:43 - Why did you choose Country Day School?
5:47 - What did you appreciate most about Country Day School?
6:58 - What differentiates Country Day from other private schools?
7:51 - How would you describe the school in three words?
8:46 - What are the school’s highest values?
9:36 - What might surprise families about the school?
10:15 - What surprised you about the school?
10:55 - What is the typical student like at the school?
12:28 - How did the school shape who you are as a person today?
13:21 - What is one thing you would change about the school?
14:37 - How has your perspective of the school changed over the years?
15:56 - Would you recommend the school to others?
16:14 - What is the biggest reason why someone should enrol?
17:34 - What would you say to convince a family to enrol in the school?
18:18 - What advice would you give to a newly enrolled student?
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Country Day School - Interview with School Leadership

In this Perspective:
1:16 - Three things the Director of Admissions loves about his job
3:04 - How long he has been at CDS
3:44 - Why he chose admissions
5:00 - What he looks for in a potential CDS student
7:08 - The meaning of "those intangibles"
8:55 - Reasons for starting at CDS at different stages
12:11 - How CDS actively promotes the feeling of welcoming
15:19 - Drawing connections between subjects
17:42 - Extracurricular activities are "gently required"
22:02 - Something about CDS that is difficult to discover until you’re there
24:23 - Where students come from geographically
26:15 - The kind of family who is drawn to CDS
29:34 - If students go on to postsecondary education
33:03 - The school's personality traits
34:41 - Financial aid
36:50 - Red flags parents should look out for in their school search
39:00 - Final thoughts
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Country Day School - Roundtable Discussion - 2022

User Submitted Reviews (5)

The Country Day School

"The faculty at the school have been key in shaping my boys into the young men they are today."

Sarah Hepburn - Parent (May 04, 2022)

I have been a parent at The Country Day School since 2014 when my boys started in grade 5. Throughout their years at the school they have grown as individuals be it through the smaller, more personalized classes, the extra curricular activities they have participated in or the trips they have gone on through the school. Now, in grade twelve, they are well prepared for university and the world beyond The Country Day School. The community has been what has made the difference. My boys have made ... View full review

"The high standards of academics is one of the reasons we enrolled our kids at CDS."

susie bousada - Parent (Dec 10, 2021)

My three children started the same year at the Country Day School when they were in Grades 7, 5, and 3. The school made sure that they knew at least one other student at the school before they started through their mentorship program. It was a great way to start at their new school. Now that all but one have graduated I can say that the experiences they had at the school helped form the people they are today. The teachers were amazing and encouraging and pushed them to be their best. My two k... View full review

"Parents are involved in the life of the school on many levels."

Jennifer Sanderson - Parent (Nov 02, 2021)

Both of our children went to The Country Day School from Kindergarten through to graduation. They are very proud to be part of the "lifers" club. They loved all aspects of school life. What they appreciated most was the informed, thoughtful and inspired mentorship that they received from their teachers at every level - junior school, middle school and senior school. They were also pleased with the unique course offerings and they truly valued the extensive and varied extra-curricular program tha... View full review

"The teaching staff at The Country Day School are top-notch!"

Jane Cathers - Parent (Nov 02, 2021)

My daughter started grade 9 at CDS last year and right from day one she was very impressed with CDS, for so many reasons. The teachers are enthusiastic, the classes are small and focused with very little disruption, (whether they were online or in class) and her classmates are outgoing and included her when she did not know anyone. She found the online learning engaging and interactive, as though she was right in the classroom, and the online classes were a full day. The meals are not only ... View full review

Building experience and leadership

Liz Diaz - Parent (Feb 03, 2018)

Balanced education which means his receives great education and many options to participate in other areas such as sports, music, technology, theatre, trips and much more. The ability to expand beyond the theory is wonderful. There is also another key factor that makes his experience wonderful. Teachers are wonderful too! View full review

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Reviews of The Country Day School

Our Take

Interview Videos

User Submitted Reviews (5)

"The faculty at the school have been key in shaping my boys into the young men they are today."

"The high standards of academics is one of the reasons we enrolled our kids at CDS."

"Parents are involved in the life of the school on many levels."

"The teaching staff at The Country Day School are top-notch!"

Building experience and leadership

More about The Country Day School

Sign up to receive our exclusive eNews twice a month.

One day only in October. Find your best-fit school at the Private School Expos in Toronto & Oakville Learn More

Reviews of The Country Day School

Our Take

Interview Videos

User Submitted Reviews (5)

"The faculty at the school have been key in shaping my boys into the young men they are today."

"The high standards of academics is one of the reasons we enrolled our kids at CDS."

"Parents are involved in the life of the school on many levels."

"The teaching staff at The Country Day School are top-notch!"

Building experience and leadership

More about The Country Day School

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