WHY
RCDS?
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Truly Great N-8 Education Sets a Foundation for Life.
What children see, learn, and experience today has a big impact on who they’ll be tomorrow. RCDS is uniquely prepared to support, encourage, and challenge students during the formative Nursery to Grade 8 years.
Choosing an N-8 independent school has distinct advantages. At RCDS, the focus and expertise we bring to these formative years of school instill the intelligence, creativity, and character that students will utilize for a lifetime. Families are drawn to our school because they see and feel an immediate difference, from the personalized attention that comes with smaller classes, to the caliber of work produced by students, and even the genuine enthusiasm Gators demonstrate for learning and school. Here is an overview of RCDS Distinctions that lay the groundwork for a Truly Great educational experience.
"RCDS is a special school. It is the institution most responsible for our children's success as scholars and their growth as responsible citizens through high school and college."
- Jeff Cruz, RCDS Parent
Average Class Size of 12-15
A game changer for most children. We can differentiate learning, and because we’re small, faculty recognize when your child needs encouragement or a greater challenge.
Higher Academic Standards
RCDS is the rare school that sets high academic standards and provides the resources, tools, and support for children to meet them. Our smaller classes foster strong student-teacher relationships, and our curriculum is intentionally designed to stretch students' intellect, capabilities, and time management skills.
Robust Arts
Children need the arts. While schools in our area are cutting back, RCDS offers a complete schedule of visual arts, music, and drama, all woven into the curriculum. The RCDS Stage produces 25+ plays each year and the Annual Arts Festival showcases students’ works and performances from Nursery to Grade 8.
Learning Goes Beyond the Classroom
RCDS students have so many opportunities to grow outside their comfort zone through day and overnight trips, enriching extracurriculars, service projects, athletics, and more. Gators frequently say these “Beyond the Classroom” experiences fostered confidence and helped them persist and succeed through obstacles and challenges in high school and college.
The Four Pillars
Kind, Honest, Responsible, and Respectful uphold all that we do. There’s a great sense of belonging at RCDS that is integral to the development of character. RCDS students stand out in the community for their empathy, accountability, and integrity.
Begin Here. Succeed Anywhere.
Day, boarding, or public high school, Gator Grads are among the most academically prepared, self-motivated, and leader-oriented students at their chosen secondary schools. These qualities are the reason RCDS graduates thrive at some of the most selective high schools and colleges in the country.