US
Rye Country Day School - Rye Country Day School
Rye Country Day School - Rye Country Day School
A Pre-Kindergarten - Grade 12 coeducational independent day school in Westchester County, New York
Rye Country Day School
Rye Country Day School is a coeducational, college preparatory school dedicated to providing students from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 with an excellent education using both traditional and innovative approaches. In a nurturing and supportive environment, we offer a challenging program that stimulates individuals to achieve their maximum potential through academic, athletic, creative, and social endeavors. We are actively committed to diversity. We expect and promote moral responsibility and strive to develop strength of character within a respectful school community. Our goal is to foster a lifelong passion for learning, understanding, and service in an ever-changing world.
Lower School
Pre K - Grade 4
Middle School
Grades 5 - 8
Upper School
Grades 9 - 12
Students emerge from RCDS with strength of character, ready to engage in continuous learning, to show kindness and empathy, to adapt and thrive within a changing global context, to contribute meaningfully to their communities large and small, and to find joy and fulfillment in life. Experiences that promote these outcomes are woven throughout the program with increasing complexity and expectations.
Character
RCDS students cultivate strength of character through the development of social and emotional intelligences, strong and positive moral compasses, and passionate and principled actions
Character in Action
Knowledge
RCDS students acquire and use knowledge in complex and meaningful ways. They transfer and apply their understandings beyond disciplines to address novel, real-world questions.
Knowledge in Action
Skills
RCDS students practice skills and habits essential for wellness and success in college, in work, and in life, including communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, and adaptability.
Skills in Action
Citizenship
RCDS students make a positive difference in the world as aware, engaged, and purpose-driven citizens.
Citizenship in Action
Lower School Grs. 2-4 Concert + Ice Cream Social
April
23
Brady Hollwedel ’27 Throws No-Hitter Against Greens Farms Academy
April
22
RCDS Upper School Students Excel at Westchester and New York State Science Fairs; Two Advance to Regeneron International Science and Engineering
April
21
Leela Torgalkar ’29 Tops 100 Career Points
April
21
Elle Mason ’27 Eclipses 200 Career Points
April
21
Upper Schoolers Learn About Sustainability Efforts, Gain Insight on Entrepreneurship with Ecotone Renewables Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder Kyle Wyche
April
20
Ben Pearce ’21 Wraps Up Historic Season
April
20
Sadie Kolodner ’28 and Juliette Moore ’27 Named 2026 Borlaug Scholars at New York Youth Institute
April
20
Maya Torgalkar ’27 Surpasses 100 Career Draw Controls
April
20
RCDS Surpasses 1,000 Donations at Annual Blood Drive in Partnership with New York Blood Center, Receives Special Honor from Westchester County
April
17
Two RCDS Student Poets Named Finalists in Storm King Poetry Contest
April
17
Sabrina Reznik ’20 Published in "The New Yorker"
April
16
Caroline Keating ’22 Surpasses 200 Draw Controls and 100 Ground Balls
April
16
Sixth Graders Tackle Food Insecurity in Community Through Public Purpose Program
April
15
Ishana Kumar ’26 Receives JWV Community Scholarship Honoring Stamford, CT Seniors with a Deep Commitment to Service and Leadership
April
15
Our School
RCDS draws students from 43 school districts. The School is an easy walk from the Metro-North station, and 55 students take the train each day.
RCDS was founded in 1869 by Susan J. Life. Her motto was "Not for Self, but for Service" and her philosophy was that teaching should be personal and relationship-based.
We are a diverse community of 969 curious and engaged students; 16% receive financial aid; 49.5% self-identify as people of color.
Academics
Approximately an 7:1 student to teacher ratio across the School
Upper School average class size is 12
143 full-time teachers
Arts
State of the Art Facilities: 2 Art Studios, 2 Theaters, Dance Studio, Videography Studio, Manual Arts Studio
6 Art Exhibitions per year
23 Musical Performances per year
6 Drama & Dance Productions per year
Athletics
68 Interscholastic Sports teams
Approximately 80% of Upper School students participate in at least one team sport
38 championships in the past 5 years
Beyond RCDS
100% of graduates enroll in college
From 2021-2025, the top college matriculation choices were: Cornell University (27), Colgate University (18), Northwestern University (17), Georgetown University (15), University of Chicago (14), and University of Pennsylvania (14).
7,322 alumni make up the RCDS network
Our programs answer the question ‘How can we make our school better?’ by seeking ways to advance and embed our mission and values throughout the Rye Country Day curriculum and community.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
At RCDS, we act deliberately to create and sustain a diverse community that values equity and inclusion.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Public Purpose
Through critical service learning, our students become active and engaged participants in shaping a more equitable and just world.
Public Purpose
Health & Wellness
Cultivating the skills + awareness to live and learn with balance, health, and joy.
Health & Wellness
Global Studies
Through global studies, students develop a deep understanding of other perspectives and of themselves.
Global Studies
S.T.E.A.M.
Inspiring innovation, creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
S.T.E.A.M.
Center for Innovative Teaching & Learning
Teaching and Learning projects drive the evolution of our program to ensure transformative experiences for all of our students.
Center for Innovative Teaching & Learning
Sustainability
We commit to being stewards of our planet.
Sustainability
Educational Technology
Learning technology builds problem solving mindsets, resourcefulness, adaptability, and creativity.
Educational Technology
Class of 2025
We are so proud of the many accomplishments of the RCDS Class of 2025 and grateful for all they contributed to our community.
View College Matriculation List
Welcome
Are you interested in learning about what an RCDS education might mean for your family?
Contact Admissions
Virtual Tour
Before you visit us in person, explore our campus online.
VIEW VIRTUAL TOUR