Phoenix Country Day School

[EduCativ]

As the Valley's only independent Pre-K through Grade 12 school, Phoenix Country Day School stands as a leader in education, both in Arizona and nationally. Our students and teachers strive for excellence— in the classroom and the community— while maintaining a healthy balance, grounded perspective, and sense of joy and curiosity in all that we do.
Setting foot on the Phoenix Country Day School campus for the first time, one cannot help but notice the beauty of the well-manicured grounds against the breathtaking backdrop of the Praying Monk and Camelback Mountain. More than a half-century later, Phoenix Country Day School has evolved into a distinct educational excellence model, reflecting the unique culture of the region. Under the guidance of an expert faculty and staff, our students are compared to the best and brightest from any independent school in the country. And our alumni are making a difference—and making us proud—all over the world.
PCDS prepares promising students to become responsible leaders and lifelong learners through an education that emphasizes intellectual engagement, independence, collaboration, creativity, and integrity. In keeping with its mission, Phoenix Country Day School expects its students to develop a coherent body of knowledge in the humanities, sciences, arts, and a comprehensive range of athletics skills. Pursuing quality and excellence is fundamental to everything we do at PCDS. Excellence in the classroom is reflected in exceptional academic offerings. Excellence in athletics is reflected in a program that allows students to participate in and thus benefits from team sports involvement. Excellence in the arts (visual studies, performing arts, music) is reflected in a program structure that allows time for studying and achievement in an area of interest. The balance of these areas and their lessons create broad-thinking, well-rounded, intelligent students of character.
We introduce students to a curriculum that responds to the diverse and rapidly changing world where populations live longer, interrelating in new ways, and using newly created technologies and new communication methods. Students learn how to collaborate and how to be global thinkers. They develop excellent listening skills, maintain sensitivity to cultural backgrounds, and awareness of complicated and less-streamlined decision-making. Through the clear objective of quality and excellence, combined with the fundamentals of an extraordinary education, our students gain a foundation and appreciation for a lifetime of learning.
The Phoenix Country Day School community strives to be one in which each individual is recognized and valued, each voice is heard, and each considered opinion can find a forum. However, no forms of hatred, prejudice, or bigotry are tolerated. We recognize the richness of the diverse threads that strengthen the fabric of the School. We endeavor to ensure that this fabric reflects the diversity of Arizona and our nation. We want every member of our School community to value diversity and respect one another.
We strive to graduate students who love learning and pursue wisdom. Using their talents and skills for the greater good are adaptable, resilient, and responsible citizens in their local communities, nation, and the world and who engage in life with honor and integrity. These values and goals are essential components of a PCDS education: An Education for Life.
As the Valley's only Pre-K through Grade 12 independent school since 1961, PCDS has always pushed itself to be at the forefront of student academic and personal growth. From our roots when May Sue Talley envisioned an "Exeter of the West," to our current standing as a national leader in a progressive, student-centered experience, Phoenix Country Day School has always exhibited the best in independent school education: simultaneously staying true to our roots and traditions, while being nimble and forward-thinking to prepare the world's leaders of tomorrow.

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