We Dive Into Learning!

We don’t just read about the world, we bring students into the world, because that’s where the deepest learning happens. At RCDS, we learn by doing, with hands-on discovery and experimentation. Students set goals, experiment, observe, review, and plan next steps. While students learn these new skills, they explore unfamiliar attitudes and develop the flexibility to see things from different points of view.

We Explore a Bigger World
Intentionally selected field trips engage students while allowing them to gain perspective, leading to a deeper understanding of their classroom studies. We generally take more than 28 class trips a year, visiting sites such as Ellis Island, Philadelphia, Boston, Longstreet Farm and The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Upper School students, ready for more immersive experiences, embark on annual wilderness adventures. These multi-day trips have become important rites of passage for fifth- to eighth-grade RCDS students. Age-appropriate activities that encourage healthy risk-taking, require problem-solving, provide new experiences and promote bonding with classmates create lifetime memories.
Upper School students pose for group photo on Stokes wilderness trip.
Fourth graders pose for photo during class trip to the historic Twin Lights.
Upper School girl takes in the view from a mountain top during wilderness trip hike.
Upper School students sit around a fit pit during Stokes wilderness trip.
Students enjoy canoeing on a lake during wilderness trip.
Eighth graders pose for photo during class trip to Boston.
Pre-K students pose for photo during class trip to Deep Cut Gardens.
Fifth grade students tour the MET for a class trip.
Eighth grade students pose for photo on a class trip.
 Students jump into lake on a class trip.
Pre-K students visit Sickles Market Garden on a class trip.

28+

Trips taken each year

Connect with us! 

Please complete the inquiry form to connect with Director of Admissions Tracey Wetmore.