DISCOVER Who We Are
Why Independent School?
What is an Independent School?
There are over 2,000 independent schools in the United States serving over 700,000 pre-k through high school age students. Sonoma Country Day School is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization governed by a board of trustees and funded by tuition and endowments. Independent schools like SCDS develop and implement their own missions, educational philosophies, and instructional styles. Free from the constraints of federal and state educational mandates, SCDS faculty create and deliver engaging and inspiring curricula in all subject areas designed to meet the needs and interests of their students. Independent school graduates are highly desirable applicants to a wide range of high schools, universities, and careers due to their advanced academic preparation, social and emotional intelligence, and their desire to participate in and contribute to caring communities.
What are the advantages of Independent Schools?
Exceptional faculty, small class sizes, individual attention for every student, a strong sense of community, and extensive program selections complete with core academics, creative arts, and world languages are the hallmarks of an independent school. We believe that by educating the whole child we are preparing them for future educational endeavors, the workplace, and healthy, well-balanced lives and relationships.
According to the National Association of Independent Schools, our graduates:
SCDS is fully accredited (since 1988) by the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).
There are over 2,000 independent schools in the United States serving over 700,000 pre-k through high school age students. Sonoma Country Day School is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization governed by a board of trustees and funded by tuition and endowments. Independent schools like SCDS develop and implement their own missions, educational philosophies, and instructional styles. Free from the constraints of federal and state educational mandates, SCDS faculty create and deliver engaging and inspiring curricula in all subject areas designed to meet the needs and interests of their students. Independent school graduates are highly desirable applicants to a wide range of high schools, universities, and careers due to their advanced academic preparation, social and emotional intelligence, and their desire to participate in and contribute to caring communities.
What are the advantages of Independent Schools?
Exceptional faculty, small class sizes, individual attention for every student, a strong sense of community, and extensive program selections complete with core academics, creative arts, and world languages are the hallmarks of an independent school. We believe that by educating the whole child we are preparing them for future educational endeavors, the workplace, and healthy, well-balanced lives and relationships.
According to the National Association of Independent Schools, our graduates:
- are more likely to successfully complete undergraduate and post-graduate work than their parochial and public school peers
- pursue a wide range of college majors and set ambitious professional goals
- express strong satisfaction with their career choices and confidence in opportunities for further training
- are highly skilled in the technology needed in the 21st century workplace
- pursue healthy, active adult lives
- highly value community service and civic participation
SCDS is fully accredited (since 1988) by the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).
What is a Country Day School?
The original Country Day School movement originated in the United States in the late 19th century. The earliest Country Day Schools worked to provide the same academically rigorous and character driven college preparatory education their boarding school peers offered, but gave students the opportunity to return home every night to their families. Due to the pollution and health hazards of industrial cities at the time, these new schools were built in the 'country,' and buildings and grounds were designed to be inspiring spaces that fostered learning and creativity. Central also to the idea of a Country Day School was a robust after-school program, complete with athletics, music lessons, and monitored study time. We are proud that programs at SCDS are in line with the original Country Day School values.
The original Country Day School movement originated in the United States in the late 19th century. The earliest Country Day Schools worked to provide the same academically rigorous and character driven college preparatory education their boarding school peers offered, but gave students the opportunity to return home every night to their families. Due to the pollution and health hazards of industrial cities at the time, these new schools were built in the 'country,' and buildings and grounds were designed to be inspiring spaces that fostered learning and creativity. Central also to the idea of a Country Day School was a robust after-school program, complete with athletics, music lessons, and monitored study time. We are proud that programs at SCDS are in line with the original Country Day School values.
Sonoma Country Day School
We are…
The premier, fully accredited, independent TK-8 college preparatory school in Sonoma County. Located in northern Santa Rosa and proud home of The Jackson Theater, SCDS offers a challenging academic program rich in fine and performing arts, music, world languages, and social and emotional learning. For more than thirty years SCDS has been the school that brings learning to life.
