Cincinnati Country Day School

We are beginning our sixth year at Cincinnati Country Day School and live in the community in which the school is located. Six years ago, my husband and I moved our oldest child who was entering sixth grade from a well respected public school to CCDS. We weren't unhappy at the local school. We felt it was our obligation, as parents, to provide our children with the best education possible. We were so pleased with CCDS that we moved our other two children to CCDS, too. What we found at CCDS was an environment that supports excellence in education. It is "cool" to be smart. The faculty truly care about the children and support the children in the classroom, on the athletic field, and in personal interests. Classroom sizes are small, the faculty are passionate about teaching, and teachers make every effort to be available to help the children excel in their studies. Classmates challenge and support each other both in and out of the classroom. Students, faculty, and staff are truly happy to be part of the CCDS Community. Our oldest child shared with me, recently, that our decision to move her to CCDS was the best decision we ever made.
—Submitted by a parent

We have three children attending this school. Two children are in the lower school and the eldest has attended the middle school and is presently in the upper school. I continue to be impressed with the quality of the teachers at this school. They are always available for questions that a parent or child may have. They understand what motivates a child to learn and understand that children learn in different ways. Each of my children has had great success at this school, and I attribute that to the excellence of the teaching staff.
—Submitted by a parent

We are about to start our tenth school year at CCDS (we also have an older child who attended K-12 in one of the excellent public school districts locally so we have the perspective of a different type of educational experience as well) and overall, it has been a wonderful experience. My children are twice exceptional learners, both gifted and also with some learning differences, and the school has been able to meet their learning needs consistently. Like any school, it's imperative that parents work collaboratively with teachers and administrators and students to foster the best learning environment for their children. CCDS is very open to this collaborative process and also boasts some of the finest educators I've met, as well as a slew of extras -- a beautiful nature-filled campus, tremendous arts and athletics, and a very strong community. Diversity (socio-economic as well as other factors) continues to expand and contribute to this fantastic community. Highly recommend to anyone looking for an excellent education for their children.
—Submitted by a parent

We have just finished our 9th year at this wonderful school. Our two oldest are now graduates. We discovered this school after two others did not meet our kids' unique academic needs. We have found CCDS to be very flexible and truly willing to partner with us in creating the best learning environment possible. The school is committed to diversity and the development of a strong sense of community among all its members. The teachers are truly exceptional and have come to know our kids as individuals, not just as students in their classrooms. The principals in each division have been quick to respond to any concerns we have had. Our kids have thrived at CCDS. They have been appropriately challenged academically, they have been encouraged to stretch themselves in extracurricular activities that they would not have had the opportunity to participate in at other schools, and they have been nurtured and encouraged by their teachers and administrators to grow into contributing members of their communities. College counseling for our two oldest has been phenomenal and we expect it will also be for our youngest. I will miss this community when our youngest graduates.
—Submitted by a parent

As someone engaged in the mission of creating 21st century schools in the U.S. I have been extremely impressed with the quality of teaching, the positive engagement, community support and complete tech integration offered at CCDS. Our son transferred to the Upper School and, after many years of trying to have his needs met in a public school environment, CCDS immediately provided the depth and breadth of curriculum paced appropriately for his learning style. We have been so well pleased with the opportunities he has been presented with at this excellent school I have recommended it highly to anyone in the Cincinnati area looking for an option for high ability students. Our daughter will be joining the Middle School in the Fall.
—Submitted by a parent

We live in the community where CCDS is located but found the school to be lacking in diversity as well as equity in student dealings. Our son was bullied and our daughter was not taught in the learning style best suited to her needs. The school pays lip service to these situations but actually does very little to alleviate them. The bullying was handled poorly by the administration. The school sells "small class size" but uses the "teach to the least capable" with a one teaching style mentality (no variations for learning styles). There is a very small pool of friends from which to choose so it is conform or else. In addition, This is a school with some of the wealtiest families in Cincinnati in attendance; therefore those families tend to get "preferential" treatment when it comes to situations of inapporpriate behavior. I am caucasian but was disturbed by the treatment of minority and scholarship students. There seems to be an underlying prejudice towards students of color and those on scholarship by many parents, teachers, and staff. Given the many negative features of the school that we observed as well as experienced in our 5 years there, we decided to withdraw our children.
—Submitted by a parent

My grandkids attend this wonderful school and they love it and are thriving. It was selected as the best school in Cincinnati and the 2nd best school in Ohio too.

We are delighted! Our DD joined CCDS this fall, and we are so happy with her classmates, who have been friendly and welcoming, her teachers, who are very attentive and strive to meet her individual needs, and the administration, who are committed to helping each child develop best in his or her own way.
—Submitted by a parent

As a parent of three CCD boys (grades 7, grade 5 and grade 2), I have experienced almost decade of dedicated and individualized learning across three VERY different learning styles. All of them are achieving amazing academic successes, leadership experiences and most importantly, they love-to-learn. Kids arrive at CCD with smiles and leave with smiles. The diversity - racial and religious, creates naturally unprejudice children who have deep friendships with kids from all over the city and respect their culture. We are a middle class family that has chosen to leave a more frugal livestyle so that our children can stay at this amazing school. Even the best public schools in the area can't come close to the ciriculum, hands on learning, small class sizes and masterful caring teaching staff. This is evidenced by the # of Indian Hill, Sycamore, Terrace Park and Mariemont families send their kids to CCD.
—Submitted by a parent

As a former student, I look back on my time at Cincinnati Country Day School with the fondest of memories. I love being able to go back to CCDS and have my Kindergarden teachers remember my name. I love the fact that I grew up with the same close knit group of friends that I still talk to. Mostly, I love that when it came time to write my first collegiate paper, I was not only well prepared, but I was confident. I left with a great education. CCDS prepares students for greatness and I absolutely loved it.
—Submitted by a former student

This is a very good academic institution.
—Submitted by a student

The classes are good but can be very demanding. Many variety of extracurriculars and clubs Very involved PTO Several instances of drug and alcohol abuse
—Submitted by a parent

The Early Childhood House (18mo-3yr) is excellent. The classrooms reside in a home like setting and the teachers are very caring and knowledgable in early childhood development, learning styles and behavior. There are special parent events that foster a connection with the school. Focus includes art, music, social development, letter/phonics, sensory exploration and play.
—Submitted by a parent

As a student at Cincinnati, I was apprehensive at first abotu starting a new school and not knowing anyone, but I have never felt more at home than I have at CCDS. The school has such a warm community. I am part of the Feild and Track Team, Basketball Team and I learn the trumpet. I am constantly involved in school activities and I am currently having the time of my life!
—Submitted by a student

Cincinnati Country Day has been a terrific experience for our son, who recently graduated and our daughter who is in high school there. The teachers are not only top-notch, but they truly care about the students in and out of the classroom. The school mission strives for a wide variety of experiences...and they accomplish that. The students have many opportunities in athletics, arts and many club programs. Cincinnati Country Day has a beautiful location on 67 acres in Indian Hill. The parent involvement is fairly strong, as most schools...you have some that over volunteer and others that aren't there enough. The school does provide many opportunities for parents to get involved..it's up to you! CCDS is a highly academic school that strives to create students who are not only well prepared for college, but students who are well prepared for life.
—Submitted by a parent

The intellectual quality of the Upper School Classroom is exceptionally high, and the US faculty at once demanding and supportive.
—Submitted by Phyllis MacDonald, a parent

My daughter has been enrolled at Country Day since she was in the 7th grade, and this upcoming school year she will be a senior. This school is excellent, and the faculty and staff often go beyond their call of duty to meet student needs.
—Submitted by a parent