Our spectacular faculty and staff nurture, believe in, and challenge your children to reach beyond what they know they can do to achieve what they don’t yet know they can do ‘the impossible.’”
Sacramento Country Day is a Pre-K through 12th grade, independent, non-proft, college preparatory school that inspires intellectual discovery and engages a diverse community to think critically, live creatively, and act compassionately.
#1 Rated
Best Private
Pre-K– Grade 12 in Sacramento Region*
65% Faculty with Advanced Degrees 100% Applicants Accepted to Four-year Colleges
590+
Pre-K– Grade 12 Students 57%
Self-identifed Students of Color** 75%
of 5th – 12th Grade Students Compete on Over 40 Athletic Teams
9:1 Student / Teacher Ratio
$3.9m+ Granted in Tuition Assistance
Acres of Learning Spaces
Lee Thomsen, Head of School
A campus visit brings every aspect of Country Day to life as classroom collaboration, creativity and critical thinking shine.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Lower School at Country Day is a place where students build solid and deep foundational skills centered in responsive classroom techniques. We have the rewarding job of fostering and challenging students to maintain curiosity and creativity while developing the whole child – the scholar, the musician, the artist, and the compassionate citizen inside each of us.
A daily schedule of core subjects in reading, language arts, mathematics, science, and humanities is enhanced by specialty classes in:
• World Languages
• Art
• Music Instruction
• Physical Education
• Library Studies
In addition, social & emotional learning and digital citizenship studies complement experiential learning through feld trips, community service, and time in the garden.
Students don’t have to always have an answer. But the thing is to keep asking the questions, to keep digging deep, to keep thinking... I think that’s the best part of what we give them.”
– Kristi Mathisen, 5th Grade Language Arts & Humanities Teacher & Lower School Humanities Department Chair
LOWER SCHOOL
Sacramento Country Day School 2636 Latham Drive Sacramento, CA 95864
www.saccds.org
RESPONSIVE CLASSROOM
Responsive Classroom is an evidence-based approach to teaching and discipline that focuses on engaging academics, positive community, effective management and developmental awareness.
MORNING MEETING
Each homeroom begins the day with Morning Meeting.These community gatherings include greetings, sharing, and games that involve problemsolving and teamwork. They also offer practice in leadership and gumption. Building skills related to attention, listening, oral expression and cooperative interaction become the foundation for every lesson, transition time, and confict, and Morning Meeting is an important starting point for this work. We begin each day together because it matters that each of us is here and that we are here together.
TEACHER LANGUAGE
The language we use in the classroom is one of the most powerful tools available to teachers. What we say to children has great power in shaping their sense of who they are and who they will become. In a Responsive School all teachers use similar professional language aimed at helping children with three primary goals: gaining academic knowledge, developing self control and building a sense of community.
HOW DOES RESPONSIVE CLASSROOM SUPPORT ACADEMICS?
A skillfully run Responsive Classroom serves the emotional growth of students and paves the way for a “smooth landing” into impactful academics. When lessons are learner-centered and students have social-emotional skills in place, productive and collaborative learning can occur with ease. The interactive learning structures of Responsive Classroom and a focus on developmentally responsive teaching allow faculty to effectively differentiate learning and tailor lessons for students.
LOWER SCHOOL RULES
Beginning with their hopes and dreams for the school year, homeroom classes work together to develop rules that will help them to make their shared goals come to fruition. After each homeroom makes their choices, “delegates” from each room help recommend rules that are employed by the entire Lower School. These rules bring consistency and common language across homeroom and specialist classrooms and strengthen students’ commitment to doing their part in our community.
Together, we leave the comfort of the familiar and venture into new spaces, where shared experiences spark connection and meaningful growth.”
– Sarah Ostermueller, Head of Middle School
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Middle School at Country Day is a student-centered, interactive, and engaging program that empowers students to develop their academic, athletic, and extra-curricular interests.
The most compelling learning experiences merge a variety of skills and subjects in and out of the classroom and allow students the opportunity to build essential life skills of selfconfdence, creativity, character, and self-refection. Country Day does just that.
Middle School Cavaliers are challenged to develop critical thinking abilities in a variety of ways: as readers analyzing high quality literature, historians evaluating accomplishments of notable fgures, and mathematicians creating scale models and fnding solutions to real-life problems.
Students understand where they are in their learning journey and they evolve key skills to ensure high school success, habits of mind, and a noticeable confdence.
Country Day Middle Schoolers are nurtured and celebrated as they develop maturity and the essential life skills of self-confdence, creativity, character, and self-refection.
FACULTY EXCELLENCE
In Middle School, students are challenged and supported as they navigate the pivotal transformations of adolescence. Led by a talented and dynamic team of educators, students are encouraged to explore interests and stretch beyond their comfort zones.
PERSONAL GROWTH EXCELLENCE
The middle school program focuses on creating an inclusive and supportive community. Through daily advisory and weekly SEL classes, students are asked to face conficts through the lens of kindness, discuss diversity topics, and develop leadership skills. In the process, students gain confdence, resilience, and, ultimately, independence as they move through our program.
CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES
• Gay Straight Alliance
• Monarch Club
• Robotics
• Student Council
ELECTIVES
A highlight of the middle school experience is an extensive elective program.
• Art Studio
• Band
• Ceramics
• Choir
• Cooking
• Creative Writing
• Digital Citizenship Technology (required)
• Drawing
• Drama
• Dungeons & Dragons
• Farm to Fork
• Games & Strategy
• Learing Resource Study Hall
• Maker Lab
• Money Matters
• Newspaper
• Personal Finance (required)
• Robotics
• Speech & Debate
• Where in the World?
• World Cultures & Food
Country Day School
Latham Drive Sacramento, CA 95864 www.saccds.org
COLLEGE COUNSELING
#1 Private High School, Best College Prep, and STEM High School in Sacramento
100% Applicants accepted to a four year college
45:1 Student to counselor ratio (national average of 376:1*)
80% Five year average passing AP score
Class of 2025
• 86% of students who applied were admitted to UC colleges
• $1.25 million in merit aid. Our 45 graduates received 61 awards, up to $87,644/year per student
• Accepted at 111 colleges and universities
* NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counseling) statistic
Our exceptional college counseling program guides and supports students through the process of applying for college and promises to provide 1:1 college counseling that promotes each student’s interests, strengths, aspirations, and goals.
PERSONALIZED GUIDANCE FOR EVERY FUTURE
Access to our 1:1 college counseling program is a meaningful part of the Country Day High School experience and includes:
• Individualized college application plan with personalized recommendations for each senior
• Unlimited student sessions with the college counselor; expert guidance and support is always within reach
• Direct access to college representatives visiting campus each fall
• Counselor and teachers personally know each student and elevate school recommendations
CHARTING THE PATH TO COLLEGE
Resources abound to ensure best ft future alma maters:
• College Admission & Financial Aid Workshops for parents and families
• UC/CSU Application Workshop
• Week long fall College Essay & Application Workshop for seniors
• Weekly meetings for juniors to learn about applying to college, continuing through fall of senior year
• Expert review of personal statements by faculty
• Country Day high school graduation requirements align with the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) admissions requirements. All academic courses are articulated with the UC system.
Sacramento Country Day School
2636 Latham Drive
Sacramento, CA 95864
www.saccds.org
Choosing Country Day means joining a community with a proven record of success—where every student is guided to reach their fullest potential and fnd a college where they will thrive.”
– Alicia Perla, College Counselor
SUBJECT AREAS
English (4 years required)
History & Social Science (3 years required)
Science (3 years required)
Mathematics (3 years required)
9
English 9 (Intro to Literature)
Curriculum
10
English 10 (Literature of Migration)
World History 9 Human Geography 10
Physics
Chemistry
11
English 11 AP English Language & Composition* Intro to Creative Writing
12
English 12 AT English Literature & Composition* Intro to Creative Writing
U.S. History AP U.S. History* AT Art History* AT Human Behavior*
Biology, AP Biology*, AT Anatomy & Physiology*, AP Chemistry*, AP Physics C (Mechanics & Electricity & Magnetism)*, AT in Applied Science*, AT Environmental Studies*
Geometry, Geometry Honors, Algebra II, Algebra II Honors, Math Analysis and Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus Honors*, AP Statistics*, AP Calculus AB*, AP Calculus BC*, AT in Calculus (Honors)*
Computer Science AP Computer Science Principles, AP Computer Science A, AT Computer Science (VPA)
World Language (Level 3 profciency required)
Visual & Performing Arts
(2 semesters required)
French I, French II, French III, French IV, AP French Language & Culture*
Spanish I, Spanish II, Spanish III, Spanish IV, AP Spanish Language & Culture*, AP Spanish Literature* Social Movements in Latin America, Equatorial Guinea and Spain
Studio Art, AP Studio Art*, Mock Trial, Garage Band, Chamber Music, Jazz Band, Orchestra, Choir, Drama
Media Yearbook (VPA), Journalism, Film Appreciation (VPA)
Physical Education (4 semesters required)
Athletics (1 sport equals 1 semester of P.E.)
Community Service (50 hours)
To promote individual responsibility and fexibility, students design their program with various physical activities and sports in which they may wish to participate for years to come. Independent P.E. provides credit to students who participate in outside competitive programs for more than 10 hours per week.
Students focus their philanthropic activity in several areas on and off campus. Students volunteer for Breakthrough Sacramento, a community-based organization, which operates its summer program on Country Day’s campus. They spearhead fundraising for the annual Run to Feed the Hungry on Thanksgiving Day as well as the annual Turkey Drive. Students also help mantain Country Day’s organic garden, which donates the bulk of its harvest to a local food bank.
* Weighted courses AT= Advanced Topics
HIGH SCHOOL
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
Sacramento Country Day School
2636 Latham Drive
Sacramento, CA 95864
www.saccds.org
The Country Day High School is so much more than an accumulation of knowledge. It’s a process of self-discovery and transformation, with co-curricular programs that illustrate the fexibility and individualized paths a Country Day education can offer.
Robotics
The High School Robotics team, Hoot and Compute, designs, builds, and programs robots to navigate arenas, overcome obstacles, and complete specifc challenges to score points in the FIRST Tech Challenge, an international robotics competition.
Internships
Our Science Department coordinates credit-earning internships with professors at CSU, Sacramento to expose students to workplaces, and involve them in projects and research.
Solar Regatta
Each year our team repurposes a 14-foot Hobie Catamaran and embarks on a project of creative engineering, project management and incredible teamwork in the SMUD Solar Regatta.
AFFINITY GROUPS
Black Student Union, Latine Student Union, Asian and Pacifc American Student Association, Gay Straight Alliance, Punjabi Student Association and emPower Women’s Alliance Group.
CLUBS & ACTIVITIES
• Engineering Club
• Japanese Language and Culture Club
• The Kindness Club
• Strive Against Stray
• Math Club
• Badminton Club
• Music Production Club
• Empower Her Club (EHC)
• American Sign Language Club
• Hackathon Club
• Math Tutoring Club
• Sports Psychology
• Food Review Club
• Art Club
• Babysitting Club
• Politics and Philosophy Club
• CAD Club
• Environmentalist Club
• Culinary Arts Club
• Outdoors Club
• Outdoors Club
• Debate Club
• Government/US History Club
Students recognize that character development and personal integrity are equally important and directly connected to academic success.”
– Brooke Wells, Head of High School
Sacramento Country Day School 2636 Latham Drive Sacramento, CA 95864
www.saccds.org
HIGH SCHOOL
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Small classes led by strong faculty, paired with unique leadership and growth opportunities, prepare our students for success. We reach beyond traditional content learning and challenge students to innovate and explore in a fexible academic program.
UNRIVALED ACADEMICS PAIRED WITH PERSONAL VALUE
A tradition of excellence, coupled with personalized educational pathways, prepare our students for success beyond the classroom and well after their school years. Every student is known and valued in our inclusive and supportive campus community.
AWARD WINNING PROGRAMS
MockTrial
#1 in Sacramento County, #15 in CA. The Varsity team won the county competition in 2018, 2023, 2024 and 2025 and took 4th in CA in 2024. Junior varsity fnished with the best record overall.
The Octagon Student Newspaper Leading award winner of CA Journalism Awards with 26 recognitions in 2025. The Octagon is printed 8 times a year and updated online.
ADVANCED COURSEWORK
Country Day offers 16 Advanced Placement (AP) courses and exams, and 7 Advanced Topics (AT) courses (weighted courses without AP exams) across a wide variety of subjects including science, mathematics, history, English, art and world languages.
The Medallion Yearbook
#1 and #2 Academic Yearbook Spread by Journalism Education Association of Northern CA. Students design and publish The Medallion yearbook annually for all-school distribution.
Glass Knife Literary Magazine First class rated and Mark of Distinction by National Scholastic Press. Visual and literary artists contribute to this annual magazine.
Sacramento Country Day School
2636 Latham Drive
Sacramento, CA 95864
www.saccds.org
ATHLETIC PROGRAM
Country Day offers the most comprehensive athletic program in our division of the Sac-Joaquin Section. We feld around 40 teams in 14 different sports, with nearly 80% participation from High School and Middle School students.
Students are encouraged to explore new interests and avoid the “one-sport” mindset common at many schools. Athletes bound for collegiate sports can excel in their primary sport and join other teams, developing as well-rounded, confdent young adults.
SPORTS
5th-8th Grade
• Cross Country
• Girls’ Volleyball
• Boys’ Flag Football*
• Girls’ Flag Football*
• Co-ed Soccer*
• Co-ed Golf
• Track & Field
• Boys & Girls’ Basketball
* 6th-8th grade program
Cavs At the Next Level
• Fencing – Yale and Duke
• Tennis – Claremont McKenna
High School
• Girls Volleyball
• Boys Soccer
• Co-ed Cross Country
• Boys & Girls’ Basketball
• Ski & Snowboard
• Swimming & Diving
• Golf
• Tennis
• Track & Field
• Girls’ Soccer
• Baseball
• Boys’ Volleyball
• Track & Field, Cross Country –Dartmouth and Seton Hall
• Girls’ Volleyball – University of the Pacifc
Our student athletes develop skills in leadership, teamwork, goal setting, mental toughness, sportsmanship, and confdence.”
