Boulder Country Day

We have had both of our kids at BCD since we moved from the Bay Area. The academics at this school are more advanced than our school in California and the teachers are very on top of how the kids are doing and communicate well with the parents. Our kids are also very happy with the school and are excited to go to school every day.
—Submitted by a parent

My family moved to Colorado in 2011 when our only daughter was entering 6th grade, a very difficult age for many, especially entering into a school with children who have known one another for some time. Our daughter can be an introvert, rather shy at times, but we've seen such a boost in her confidence, her happiness. BCD made all the difference in the world to her transition. The children and parents welcomed her with open arms. The teachers and staff have done wonders to build her confidence and have helped her grow into a beautiful and thriving individual. We couldn't be more pleased with this gem of a school and would encourage any parent who wants to make a small financial sacrifice during these very important years to do so and know with confidence you're making the right choice for a lifetime.
—Submitted by a parent

Boulder Country Day School is an amazing community, with loving teachers whose commitment to excellence and education give students the love and desire to learn and the safety of a close caring community to be themselves. I am grateful to be part of this wonderful community. I love every day at BCD!
—Submitted by a teacher

A family. This community cares about one another and does its best to create an excellent learning experience for the students.
—Submitted by a teacher

the kids love it! great community of families/parents! we have great traditions and very qualified teachers!
—Submitted by a parent

The most impressive school I have ever known. My 2 girls love going to school every day and have found a love of learning.
—Submitted by a parent

We have 3 children at BCD and it is a fantastic independent school. The academics are strong and the community that is surrounds our children is even stronger. No school is perfect, but this school is close. We have been at the school for 4 years and plan to be there until all of our kids finish middle school. The middle school continues to grow in size, technology and community. Character development of our children is a cornerstone of BCD's fundamentals. Who doesn't want to have civic-minded, smart, caring children? And the teachers are amazing! They are passionate about what they do and love their jobs. If you are looking for a strong preschool, elementary or middle school...you should absolutely visit Boulder Country Day.
—Submitted by a parent

I was a student at BCD for 8 years, when I transferred out. The entire time that you are at the school, you are told how advance and smart you are and how easy high school will be. In truth the school, especially the middle school, is overrated. There is no preparation given to students as far as going into an IB program in High School even though it is an IB middle school. The language department is the worst. I took French at the school since I was in kindergarten and when I transferred to a BVSD public middle school, I was behind students who had started the language the year before. The history department is a year behind all other school, and so is the english department. The parents and the fact that you are in an unsocial bubble are a whole other battle. Now that I am a senior, I look back and I am so happy that I got out of the school when I did. When I got to high school, I was in such a better place than the kids who had stayed at the school, because honestly almost every kid ends up at the same high school. Don't listen to the hype of this school when there are much better public school options.

My son is at BCD and we all LOVE it! He is a gifted student, and we looked at many options before choosing BCD, and wow, did we make the right choice! BCD understands both the academic and the social needs of gifted kids. Other schools wanted to put him in a class with older students (which would not have worked for him socially), BCD has him in a class with his peers, but they make sure he is learning at his level. The very low student to teacher ratio means that he gets individual attention during regular class time so he can move forward at a pace that works for him. Further, the additional resources at BCD mean that he gets extra attention in math and reading. On a social level, the kids are not taught to compete with each other - instead, they learn to accept each other as they are. There is no judgment attached to being different - so the kids don't pigeon hole each other (the "smart" kid, the "slower" kid - you hear nothing like that at BCD), they just accept the differences among them as things that make them all unique. BCD also teaches him to come out of his shell - he has made great friends, and LOVES going to school. BCD knows gifted. We are so lucky to be there.
—Submitted by a parent

My children attend BCD and I couldn t be happier. The academic and character education have been amazing. My boys are both challenged and supported and have been able to grow and develop in an environment that is nurturing. I m most excited about Boulder Country Day s plans to implement a 1:1 program next year. To see our children using state of the art technology in the classroom and learning not only the tools but organizational and time management skills that are enhanced by technology, will be a dream. BCD is an amazing place
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of a middle school student at BCD and my son has loved the transition from elementary to MS. He is enjoying the independence and responsibility of changing classes as well as the variety of exploratory classes to choose from. One of his favorite classes thus far is STEM - integration of science, technology, engineering and math. He was so excited to go to school today to make his STEM presentation on Malaria!
—Submitted by a parent

I'd like to see more reviews from middle school students. Other kid 's reviews usually determine if a middle schooler would be happy and feel challenged and respected as an individual. please don't go on about being prepared for high school but how you feel as an individual in the school. When I toured the middle school kids seemed unusually quiet. We are perspective parents.

I went to BCD from 1st grade and finally, to my delight, graduated in eight grade. You may be thinking this review is just some dumb child's way to get back at BCD for "trying to make them learn stuff," by no. I am writing this review to explain what BCD has done wrong. I will admit they did give me a good learning experience and elementary school was fine, but once middle school began it all went downhill. On multiple occasions I would be pulled out of class for something as trivial as having my cell phone IN MY LOCKER or having the wrong uniform. Rather than be kind and considerate and simply issue a warning, they would be angered by my idiocy to even think about doing such a thing at the prestigious BCD. After a few of these happenings, I would become frustrated and eventually it turned into a full blown war between teacher and student. Another problem was they would tell the student one thing and when a parent comes to meet about these occurences, they would full blown lie through their teeth. One other issue was the teachers would not communicate. What one teacher said was fine, another teacher would give you a detention for. BCD is looking for a child without personality.

We have had our son at Boulder Country Day for 8 years now. He is going into the 7th grade of the middle school and we have no concerns at all about the recent changes in staff. People retire. People move out of state. People take different jobs for different reasons, personal & professional. We have total faith in the teachers and leadership team of BCD . I appreciate that change can be a concern, but what never changes at BCD is that a top notch education supported by a character building environment for the students will always be the number one priority of the Boulder Country Day Staff.
—Submitted by a parent

A couple negative reviews of BCD on this website gave us pause before sending our oldest daughter. Thank goodness we chalk them up to 'different strokes' because words cannot convey how pleased we are with the quality of the education she's receiving now. What really delights us is that it's not just academic but cultural and multidimensional in every way. I'm so happy to have the principal Mr. Shields and her teachers in her life as role models. We'll be sending our youngest daughter next year also. The expense is a struggle for us but BCD remains an unqualified bright light during difficult times. My wife and I are deeply grateful to the BCD team and so thankful we took the chance.
—Submitted by a parent

We joined BCD last year with one of my 2 daughters who loves challenge but she is shy. I can't tell you how happy we are with the results, I wish we had joined CBD earlier. My daughter refers to BCD as "a wonderful place". The teachers are excellent, they work on the kids weaknesses and keep working on their strengths. Our daughter is flourishing there. She is not only challenged academically, but she is also learning to be very responsible, organized, social, and comfortable to speak in public. She is participating much more in class. Before, she wouldn't even blow a candle in public for her birthday cake. The school principal, Mr. Shields is a great leader. Kids love him and you can tell that he loves his job and wants the best for the kids. My daughter had trouble in her previous school connecting with kids. Now at BCD she comes every day with a big smile, telling me all the things she learned, improved, and the games she played with the rest of her classmates at recess. As a result, we are moving our second daughter to BCD as well! For us, this is an investment in our kid's future.
—Submitted by a parent

Enrolling my children at BCD was one of the best decisions we have made as parents. The teaching staff is excellent and the small class sizes allow them to be creative with assignments that both challenge and excite my kids. My son's second grade teacher recently implemented job assignments for everyone in a literature group. One job is to connect text to his or her own experiences. Another job is to find words that are unfamiliar and share the definition. Another job is to draw a picture related to the reading and another job is to summarize the reading assignment in 3-4 sentences to the group. I love the way they are so creative with learning! Teachers are also helping to organize a book club for the students outside of school. The math program can not be compared to any school in the area or region. Blown away by what my second grader is doing! I also have a child in the preschool and I am just as pleased with the staff and teaching there.
—Submitted by a parent

We have two middle school boys who started BCD this year and we could not be any happier. Their first day was so welcoming from the other students and they were put in a two week class to teach them study skills and organizational skills to help them start off to be successful. They have a great cross country, soccer and basketball program that has taught them leadership skills and built their confidence. The best thing we have to say that has impressed us the most about BCD Is the AMAZING TEACHERS. The teachers have made this transition so easy for our children. They are always available in mornings before school,after school , during school and will take the time to help with any questions big or small. The middle school director is involved with the children and has open communication with the students and parent anytime. We moved our children from a school where they were struggling and not happy learning. Their grades last year showed this. Both our children has made scholars with their first report card from BCD and they love learning again. THANK YOU BCD!
—Submitted by a parent

As the parent of a recent BCD graduate, my son was enormously well-prepared for the workload he is now facing in high school. BCD does an excellent job teaching academics as well as helping the kids develop a strong work ethic. If you are looking for a place to coast or just get by with minimal effort, then BCD is not the right school for you. If you want your child to learn how to successfully manage/organize his/her workload AND get a top-notch education, then BCD is a great choice. Our second child is currently in the sixth grade and we couldn't be happier knowing how well prepared she will be for the big next steps in her life.
—Submitted by a parent

6th graders DO NOT have only one hour of homework a night. If you look at the number of classes with homework every night this is impossible. Also, I haven"t met one child who gets it done in 1 hour. If you want to have any extracurricular activities or social life this is not the school for you.
—Submitted by a parent