Our
Story
Truly Great N-8 Education Never Goes Out of Style.
For nearly 100 years, The Rumson Country Day School motto ‘Learn for Life’ has forged the achievements and success of RCDS graduates.
Times have certainly changed since RCDS was founded in 1926, but the principles that drive our school are more relevant than ever. Our motto Vitae Disce (Learn for Life) continues to prepare our students with all the skills, competencies, and confidence needed to meet the complex world head on. Our abiding commitment to knowing each student as an individual remains the best way to help children grow, thrive, and overcome adversity. RCDS is big on tradition because cherished routines and rites-of-passage experiences instill purpose, character, and a sense of belonging.
The Four Pillars (Kind, Honest, Responsible and Respectful) are spoken about and practiced each day. All of this differentiates RCDS and provides a remarkable foundation that graduates utilize in high school, college, and beyond. It’s the reason accomplished graduates connect the formative years spent at our school with their present success and say, ‘It all started at RCDS.’
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RCDS at a Glance
330
Students enrolled
1926
The year of our founding
25+
Communities including Rumson, Fair Haven, Little Silver, Red Bank, Middletown, Holmdel among others.
Vitae Disce
Our Motto - Latin for "Learn for Life"
12-15
Average class size
N-8
Grades served
The Four Pillars
Our core values - Kind, Honest, Responsible, Respectful
Our
Mission
The Rumson Country Day School, founded in 1926 as an independent educational institution, seeks:
- to provide students from all communities with a dynamic, challenging academic experience in a safe and supportive environment;
- to nourish academic excellence, individual and social responsibility, civic awareness, and leadership skills;
- to inspire our graduates to become life-long learners able to thrive, contribute, and excel in a demanding secondary school environment and in today’s global society.
Our
History in Brief
1926
RCDS is founded as The Rumson School. The following year, the school opened with 23 students and five teachers. Harold S. Clark is the first Head of School.
1946
The Rumson School is re-named The Rumson Country Day School, reflecting the school’s growth and embrace of the Country Day model to educate, nourish and challenge each student’s mind, body, and spirit for their personal development and for a common good.
1954
New wing is built which doubles the size of RCDS.
1968
RCDS funds first scholarship program to provide greater access to independent education. Today the school awards $1 million in financial assistance annually.
1970
First Class Day is held. The schoolwide celebration recognizing student achievement and growth over the academic year is quickly established as a Signature Tradition.
1990
New, two-story wing provides 10 classrooms and new facilities for arts, science, music, and technology.
1996
The Horizon Summer Student Enrichment Program is established, meeting an educational need in the greater community and providing service opportunities to RCDS students.
2009
Jayne S. Carmody School is founded to transform students with language-based differences into high achievers and capable, confident learners.
2020
Carson T. Smith is named RCDS Head of School.
RCDS is founded as The Rumson School. The following year, the school opened with 23 students and five teachers. Harold S. Clark is the first Head of School.
1946
The Rumson School is re-named The Rumson Country Day School, reflecting the school’s growth and embrace of the Country Day model to educate, nourish and challenge each student’s mind, body, and spirit for their personal development and for a common good.
1954
New wing is built which doubles the size of RCDS.
1968
RCDS funds first scholarship program to provide greater access to independent education. Today the school awards $1 million in financial assistance annually.
1970
First Class Day is held. The schoolwide celebration recognizing student achievement and growth over the academic year is quickly established as a Signature Tradition.
1990
New, two-story wing provides 10 classrooms and new facilities for arts, science, music, and technology.
1996
The Horizon Summer Student Enrichment Program is established, meeting an educational need in the greater community and providing service opportunities to RCDS students.
2009
Jayne S. Carmody School is founded to transform students with language-based differences into high achievers and capable, confident learners.
2020
Carson T. Smith is named RCDS Head of School.
