Sacramento Country Day School

Seeking an academically-challenging school for their son, Greg, Dr. Baxter Geeting and his wife, Corinne, formulated the concept for Country Day around their kitchen table. About that time, Dr. Geeting met Herbert Matthews, who was teaching math at a small school in Carmichael, and convinced him to join the discussion. Soon, the school envisioned by these educators became a reality.

September 14, 1964, the school opened with 12 students in portable buildings at the Unitarian Church on Sierra Blvd. The following year, the school relocated to its present campus on Latham Drive with 123 students in grades kindergarten through nine. High School buildings arrived in 1970, the multi-purpose building in 1977, and Lower School classrooms in 1979. The building boom of the 1980s produced the gymnasium (1982), the Matthews Library (1985), the administration building (1985), and the Lower School library “wing” (1985). Recent construction includes the Frank Science Center (2005), and the new Lower School building and renovation, completed in August 2008.

As the physical plant and enrollment steadily grew, so did the strength and breadth of the school's educational programs. Over the decades, SCDS added many Advanced Placement, honors, and elective courses in addition to co-curricular programs such as Mock Trial and Solar Regatta; field trips such as Sutter's Fort, Marin Headlands, and Catalina Island; and over two dozen interscholastic athletic teams.

The Lower School begins with Pre- Kindergarten and continues through the Fifth Grade. Lower School is where expert, creative, and loving teachers help children build a solid and deep foundation of skills in critical reading, logical reasoning, careful observation, and the ability to share their learning with others in speech, writing, and the arts. Learning is invigorating with hands-on, active learning projects and experiences.

A daily schedule of core subjects in language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies is complemented by enrichment classes in world languages, art, Music & Movement, P.E., and library studies. Experiential learning beyond our classrooms through field trips, community service and trips to the school garden also enhances the curriculum.

The curriculum subject areas are really just the vehicles to build impactful people with generous and compassionate hearts, inquisitive and interested intellects, and healthy and active bodies. Young people in the Sacramento Country Day Lower School find and use their voices to express their ideas, share their opinions, and thoughtfully and respectfully work with others.

The Responsive Classroom permeates our Lower School, creating a place where children know that they are valued as learners and people. Responsive Classroom is an evidence-based approach to teaching and discipline that focuses on engaging academics, positive community, effective management, and developmental awareness. It ensures that students' needs for belonging, significance, and fun are met in each classroom and encourages positive engagement throughout the school day.

Sacramento Country Day Middle School includes Sixth through Eighth Grade. Middle School is a student-centered, interactive program that empowers students to develop their academic, athletic, and extra-curricular interests in a small class setting.

We prioritize the importance of learning through experience and incorporate that philosophy throughout the curriculum. Students and teachers take advantage of our classrooms, labs, and outdoor spaces to conduct experiments and incorporate movement into classes. All Middle School students experience six core classes: English, math, history, science, a world language, and physical education. In these classes students learn by writing, observation, critical thinking, discussion, simulation, projects, and collaboration.

Middle School electives are unparalleled in variety and allow students the opportunity to choose two elective courses per quarter to help inform their individual journey of discovery. Electives range across a vast array of areas to meet students where they are most interested to developing themselves.

Each grade level spends a week on an educational class trip, including an eighth grade class trip to Catalina Island, a seventh grade trip to the Sierra Nevada, and a sixth grade trip to the Santa Cruz Mountains.

The no-cut athletic program includes volleyball, basketball, cross-country, soccer, track and field, golf and flag football, and competes in the Parochial Athletic League.

The high school consists of roughly 180 students in 9th through 12th Grade. Reaching beyond traditional “content” learning and challenging students to innovate, and explore in a flexible academic program that merges the arts, literature, science, and technology. Graduates leave with a foundational education that embraces 21st century skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity; going into the world poised to be leaders in the community and citizens of a global world.

25 Advanced Placement (AP) courses and 6 specialized Advanced Topic (AT) courses are available for students who wish to pursue college-level study in high school. The five-year AP score report shows that roughly 85% of students earn a three or higher on their AP tests. There are many student clubs and varsity sports teams available to students. Community service is required to graduate. Students must take at least three consecutive years of French, Spanish, or Latin in order to graduate. Arts and drama activities are also available.

Annual class trips include Sierra Nevada for ninth grade, Northern CA dude Ranch for 10th grade, Ashland Shakespeare Festival for 11th grade, and Rafting trip for 12th grade.

Year after year, SAT scores average nearly 100 points higher than any other area schools. University of CA acceptance rates were 90% in 2022, considered highest in the region. According to SCDS publications, graduates are regularly accepted to a higher education institution, including universities such as Harvard University, Columbia University, University of California, Los Angeles, Stanford University, Cornell University, Princeton University, and other top-tier schools.[3]

The Octagon is an established school newspaper with a staff of 22 students. The publication has previously won the Pacemaker award, an award equal in prestige to a Pulitzer Prize for high school journalism, and is a finalist for its 08-09 publications. It is a part of the High School National Ad Network and can be viewed online at SCDS Octagon webpage.

• David Ancrum (born 1958), basketball player, top scorer in the 1994 Israel Basketball Premier League

• School Website - www.saccds.org