Jacksonville Country Day School

Posted: April 25, 2022

We moved to Jax in the middle of the pandemic in 2020 and enrolled our kids in JCDS (4th and 5th grades). This is the most welcoming, nurturing school my kids have ever attended. The kids here all feel very safe, which is important because the safety helps them to also build their confidence to become their best selves. In their short time at the school, they made many friends which was really helpful for my kids given our move to Jax and change of schools. This is not the most academically challenging school my kids have attended, and I would say this is the one downside of JCDS. Well done JCDS!!!

Posted: April 25, 2022

Posted: April 25, 2022

Posted: April 25, 2022

Posted: April 25, 2022

Posted: April 25, 2022

Posted: April 25, 2022

Posted: April 25, 2022

Posted: August 1, 2020

When our family relocated to Ponte Vedra when our child was entering 3rd grade, we immediately found a "home" at Jacksonville Country Day School. This school has perfected the blend of a nurturing, whole-child program with a rigorous and integrated academic and character education curriculum. The facilities and materials available to students from Pre-school through Upper Elementary are outstanding, from the Makerspace and Science & Technology Lab to the full-size gymnasium, Library, swimming pool, Fine Arts Center, Art Studio, dining hall, and outdoor garden and play areas. JCDS students make use all of these spaces, both for academics and for play, and are offered an array of tools and manipulatives for hands-on learning. Students have many opportunities to try new skills and pursue their varied interests in the course of classroom collaboration, leadership development opportunities, and electives as they grow with the school. Our family has also appreciated the wide range of on-site afterschool enrichment activities available. The JCDS administration is committed to the professional and strategic operation of the school, and the faculty are happy to be teaching here. The school invests in its faculty's professional development, and the teachers return to their students energized and equally invested in the art of teaching. With small class sizes, a regularly refined research-based curriculum, and thoughtfully-designed classrooms, students are able to receive differentiated instruction and personal attention. JCDS families are integral to the school and the school offers opportunities to connect to suit a variety of availability/work schedules and interests. Parents -- and grandparents! -- are welcome here, and the community has become a warm and diverse network for our entire family at school, personally, and professionally. Students graduate JCDS as inspired learners who are prepared to thrive in any ongoing educational setting as engaged leaders in their community. They are articulate, kind, intellectually-curious, creative, motivated, resilient, health-conscious, organized, and empathetic students. These are all qualities we seek to develop and nurture in our child, and we feel so fortunate to have had the faculty and staff at Jacksonville Country Day School as our trusted partners in our child's elementary education these past four years.

Posted: August 1, 2020

Posted: August 1, 2020

Posted: August 1, 2020

Posted: August 1, 2020

Posted: August 1, 2020

Posted: August 1, 2020

Posted: March 14, 2020

Posted: March 14, 2020

Posted: March 14, 2020

Amazing! I love everything about this school.

Posted: January 21, 2016

We were new to JCDS this year, with our daughter starting Pre K 3. We were also new to Florida and instantly felt welcome and "at home" at JCDS. The staff is helpful, kind and the communication between parents and teachers can't be beat. As a parent with an advanced education, academics are very important. I feel like she is challenged daily and the interesting and fun ways she learns are evidenced at home. Our daughter loves going to school and we love being a part of the JCDS family!

Posted: September 21, 2015

I have worked at JCDS for several years. I love coming to work everyday, and am continually amazed at the level of programs offered at the school. The best part about the school is the sense of community. I value the relationships I have with students, parents, and my coworkers.

Posted: September 1, 2015

As full-time working parents, we feel blessed to be able to provide both of our children with the opportunity to be part of the JCDS Family. In fact, this will be our 6th year at JCDS and we are still very content.

JCDS provides a family-oriented, positive and nurturing environment that promotes a life-long love of learning and emphasizes personal and social responsibility through its (ubiquitous) Character Education program. As an example of the Character Education program, older students (third through sixth grade) are paired with younger students for shared reading and other educational activities. The older students learn about responsibility and role-modeling while younger students benefit from mentoring and a special friendship with one of the “big kids”.
The teachers and faculty are sincere and make it a point to get to know and understand each student in order to provide individual guidance and facilitate and challenge each student to dig deeper, develop their own ideas, make informed and sound choices, and grow to be strong, resilient, and independent-thinking individuals.

In addition to core academics, JCDS places a strong emphasis on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and engages the students to participate and learn related skills through fun, hands-on activities and projects. Their extended-day/after-school enrichment program and facilities are fantastic and include: health, wellness, and competitive sports programs (e.g. Amberjax swim team, soccer, basketball, volleyball, yoga, running club, flag-football, karate, play-ball); music and arts (e.g. chorus, band, private music lessons, spirit and dance); and academic enrichment (e.g. lego league, sign language, math Olympiad). Not very many schools – both public and private – can offer similar programs (that also support working parents).

In an ideal world, every child would have the opportunity to learn and grow at a school like JCDS.

Posted: September 1, 2015

Posted: September 1, 2015

Posted: September 1, 2015

Posted: August 3, 2015

Both of our children attended JCDS! We chose the school because of the emphasis on whole child learning - from classroom instruction to a devoted science lab, PE everyday, Spanish instruction from the youngest age and a Fine Arts program that encourages all children to participate...we watched our children (as different as they are!) thrive and grow into independent, creative thinkers! Thank you JCDS!

Posted: August 3, 2015

Posted: August 3, 2015

Posted: August 3, 2015

Through a strong character education program honesty, integrity and fairness are the simply expected at JCDS -- the children know this as do the parents!.

Posted: June 8, 2015

Posted: June 8, 2015

Posted: June 8, 2015

Posted: June 8, 2015

We have been very happy at JCDS. The curriculum and school environment have exceeded my expectations. The staff and teachers are always very friendly in the hallways and our child has had a wonderful experience as well. Everyone seems to go above and beyond for the students. I would definitely recommend JCDS to other families.

Posted: June 8, 2015

My daughter started at JCDS last year in Kindergarten, which I can honestly say was the best decision we have ever made. Not only did she have two of the most outstanding, loving, caring, and nurturing teachers, but she has excelled in so many ways. She has gained self confidence (which she lacked from her previous school) and is so happy to be a part of the JCDS family. She loved getting up every morning to go to school (which was a first) and although she was new to the school, her new friends accepted her with open arms- she instantly became "one of them". Aside from the emotional/social aspect, I give many thanks to the school for how far she has come academically. She is now reading books (which she wasn't before), excelling in Math, understanding the concepts rather than just memorizing, and has blossomed in Dance and Art due to their wonderful after-school enrichment activities that are available. The school is very big on Character Education, which is obvious by the way they have helped her to express to others how she feels (good or bad), always use manners, be a good friend, respect, etc. Pat Walker, the Head of School, is so caring towards the children, and is very involved with families. Sending our daughter to JCDS is worth every penny and we couldn't be happier with this past school year.

Posted: June 8, 2015

Posted: June 8, 2015

Posted: June 8, 2015

Posted: December 14, 2014

Jacksonville Country Day is a great place to work. It is a positive, supportive environment with many resources dedicated to professional development. The families are friendly and the students are well behaved.

Posted: December 13, 2014

I had two children graduate from JCDS. They went from JK to 6th grade and transitioned beautifully to Bolles. JCDS prepared them for middle school and beyond and they are now at the top of their class. Not only did the school and its dedicated faculty instill academic excellence, it taught them good character, leadership skills and good citizenship. While visitors may be impressed by the beautiful updated facilities and awesome arts, music and sports programs, what sets this school apart is its faculty. The school has undergone recent changes, but all for the betterment of the school and the students. The school is now being run by an effective and cohesive administration whose professionalism and true dedication to the families and students is immediately apparent. You will not find a better investment for your children's future than an education at JCDS.

Posted: November 20, 2014

As a long time JCDS parent with two children at the school, my experience has been quite positive. The small class sizes and extraordinary teachers create an atmosphere in which my children can thrive. The optional after school activities have allowed my children to further explore the arts and sports aside from what is already built into the school curriculum on a daily basis. There has been some administrative turnover, however, it was the head of school who was here 10 years. The school continues to be a forward thinking leader in the community. I challenge parents to find anything better in the area.

Posted: November 12, 2014

I see many red flags at JCDS. The administration is unstable and there's high teacher turnover. The academic curriculum is subpar as they teach to the middle of the pack. Sadly, they don't strive to achieve full student potential. On one end of the spectrum, I see an unusually high number of students retained a grade rather than being taught to stay on pace. Parents are blindsided to find that, at the end of the year, their child is not ready to advance to the next grade. It's only a handful, but still seems high. On the other end of the spectrum, little is done to challenge the advanced student. There are cliques among the children (and parents). The bullying involves social status. It's subtle and secretive but present. It's hard for the administration to police so therefore it perpetuates. The facilities are beautiful and extracurricular activities are abundant (at high additional costs). But, it makes the school feel like summer camp. If the school would spend as much time and money on teaching as they did on its luxuries, it would have a better chance at producing intelligent, grounded, and selfless citizens. Needless to say, we will not be returning next year.

Posted: November 11, 2014

We moved to jacksonville, and where we are zoned didn't give us the best selection of private schools. The school is beautiful, and the tours were impressive. Our child is half way into his first year and the bullying is terrible. If your child fits that rich, elite mold he or she might be fine. Children who are more advanced are not given the opportunity to excel. The are mixed in with students of all calibers, stifling the intelligent and frustrating those who could use more hands on.

Posted: July 21, 2014

Our children attended this school for several years. If your child fits their "mold", then you will not have any issues. If your child had any learning needs, the school does not provide resources for differentiation and you are on your own. If your child excels academically, the school will not advance your child up to a higher grade. They will dumb your child down so that they conform to the rest of their classmates. High staff turnover. Tuition high for what your child receives in return. Large class sizes limit teachers's ability to provide necessary attention and accurately identify child's needs. Children that need help tend to fall through the cracks.

Posted: March 22, 2012

We have been very pleased with the education our child has received. They have been accepted into an accelerated academic program for high school and the foundation they received in elementary school gave them a distinct advantage.

Posted: February 5, 2012

We have two children who attended JCDS. While we loved the teachers, unfortunately, we along with many other families, learned the hard way that the school has a horrendous bullying problem. Even the most egregious acts of aggression were either condoned by the faculty or ignored as "horseplay" even when numerous eye witnesses report the flagrant acts. Meanwhile, the school has completely denied that bullying is a problem or taken any steps to implement improved policies, procedures or training. The current policies and procedures are vastly inferior to other comparable schools. Victims are consistently blamed and told to get over the bullying. The children are simply not safe, particularly during PE. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated situation. Many families have left the school due to unresolved bullying issues.

Posted: May 31, 2011

We have 2 kids who attend (4th and pre-k) and both have done fantastic. We are very pleased with the school and the teachers. Our kids love going to school, make good grades and have learned a ton. Highly recommend. Worth every penny.

Posted: July 20, 2009

As the parent of a recent graduate and a current student I have been delighted with the continued emphasis on accelerated academics and character education. This school has been doing it right for almost 50 years and is still preparing young people for the world they will live in beyond their elementary years!