Keith Country Day School

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For over 100 years, Keith Country Day School has proudly stood as the premier college-preparatory school in the northern Illinois area. We have a rich tradition in preparing students, from pre-kindergarten through grade 12, academic excellence, character development, and leadership skills.
Our mission is to prepare children for lives of meaning and purpose. Keith graduates have made significant contributions to colleges and universities across America, including campuses such as Yale, Harvard, Northwestern, Stanford, and Notre Dame. Keith School's academic and co-curricular programs contribute to student accomplishments and achievements that far exceed other schools in this geographic region.
In fact, as a result of our nurturing and personalized learning environment, Keith students perform well above national independent school averages on the Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SAT) and the Comprehensive Testing Program (CPT 4). Almost 85% of our graduating seniors have successfully passed Advanced Placement examinations.
Although we are very proud of our academic excellence, at the foundation of our curriculum is something that cannot be measured by standardized SAT and ACT scores, premier college acceptances, athletic championships, or artistic honors. What is most important about Keith Country Day School is a deep connection between faculty and students' relationships. We have a tremendously talented, innovative, and compassionate faculty that strives to uphold the standards inherited from our school's remarkable founder, Belle Emerson Keith — an artist, innovator, and pioneer in the progressive education movement. Our families have consistently told us that their lives had been profoundly influenced due to their engagement with the Keith School community.
It is hoped that the extensive information you find on this website will encourage you to experience our rigorous college-preparatory programs directly. As you peruse our website, we hope you are inspired by the virtual snapshots of teaching and learning. Only a visit will allow you to fully experience the academic traditions and motivating relationships found throughout our campus. Every Day is an Open House!
Keith Country Day School is a fully-accredited, independent, nonsectarian, college-preparatory school founded in 1916 by Belle Emerson Keith. Keith School serves students from age three through grade 12 from Rockford and throughout northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.
Keith School is organized into a Lower School (ages 3 to grade 5), a Middle School (grades 6 to 8), and an Upper School (grades 9 to 12). The average instructional class size is 12 students. We have over 50 full and part-time faculty members 65% of our faculty hold advanced degrees from selective colleges and universities worldwide. As one of the area's leading independent schools, Keith offers the very best in educational opportunities for students as they prepare for collegiate life challenges. Our goal is to enroll a talented, motivated, and diverse student body from every economic, ethnic, and social background. Financial assistance is available for grades 1-12.
The country day schools, grounded in the progressive education movement, began in the 1920s. They are well known for having longer school days and preparing students for the best colleges. They also stress the relationships that students have among themselves and with their teachers. Together they establish traditions that create and express community, such as regular morning meetings, service learning, and personalized instruction.
From a global perspective, country day schools believe in the responsible care of the environment and community service to broaden the students' view of the world and enhance social responsibility. Also, student government and an emphasis on democracy are central to a country day school. Through responsibility and understanding of the democratic process, students learn to value their place in a democratic society. Arts and athletics are also important activities.
Essentially, country day schools are committed to community, democracy, artistic and physical development, global consciousness, and the highest standards of academic excellence. Thus, country day school strives to educate the whole child.

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