K-8 coed nonsectarian

PORTRAIT OF A GRADUATE

We’re so happy that you have decided to explore what Alexandria Country Day School has to offer your child and your family! Ours is a unique and vibrant community in which students learn deeply, play exuberantly, and reflect thoughtfully about the world and their places in it. From those first days of Kindergarten to the day they leave our campus to take on the adventures of high school, ACDS students know that they are part of a community that is dedicated to their growth, well being, and happiness.

We believe that a school community encompassing Kindergarten through eighth grade provides the best environment for students to grow, maintain their sense of childhood, learn about themselves, and establish a personal foundation for future success. This model allows our oldest students to hone their leadership skills and develop their maturity during a particularly fragile and turbulent period of development, free of the pressures of a high school population. At the same time, they are able to be kids and to enjoy the pleasures of play and exploration. As they stand on the threshold between eighth grade and high school, our graduates look out upon a wide array of options, aware of what they want and need and prepared to take on whatever challenge lies ahead. ACDS students go on to attend the best high schools in the region, both independent and public, and make a difference in their communities.

We strive to ensure that our students are independent learners, effective communicators, community minded, and balanced. These characteristics, which constitute our Portrait of a Graduate, guide us in every aspect of our work with children and families.

In this brochure, you will learn about the many ways we accomplish these goals and hopefully you will come away with a strong sense of whether our joyful and engaging learning environment is the right fit for your family. Peruse these pages, look at our website, and most importantly, come and visit. You will get the truest sense of our school when you experience it with students and their teachers. We look forward to getting to know you.

Warmest regards,

Scott Baytosh Head of School

We strive to ensure that our students are independent learners, effective communicators, community minded, and balanced. These characteristics, which constitute our Portrait of a Graduate, guide us in every aspect of our work with children and families.

The academic program at ACDS is designed not only to challenge students, but also to nurture their enthusiasm for learning. Whether it’s exploring the life cycle of butterflies in Kindergarten, taking part in Colonial Day in second grade, constructing prisms in fifth grade, or engaging in a political debate in eighth-grade history, many lessons are hands-on and experiential in nature.

One of the more common refrains you will hear in teacher-student interactions is the importance of self-advocacy. Students are taught to take increasing, age-appropriate responsibility for their own learning. They are also taught the value of making mistakes and how to learn from them.

Language Arts. In all grades, the language arts program is a cross-curricular comprehensive approach to literacy encompassing spelling,

One of the more common refrains you will hear in teacher-student interactions is the importance of self-advocacy. Students are taught to take increasing, age-appropriate responsibility for their own learning. They are also taught the value of making mistakes and how to learn from them.

Stretch your mind.

INDEPENDENT LEARNER

grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing, and oral language. The third through eighth grade writing curriculum uses the 6+1 Traits framework for writing along with a writer’s workshop approach, and there is a strong emphasis on oral language and public speaking in all grades.

Math. Students in Kindergarten through fourth grade follow the Math in Focus program, which is a version of Singapore Math, well known for its challenge and effectiveness. The Middle School math program continues to build on the fundamentals introduced in the earlier grades and prepares students with a solid foundation in algebra.

Science. In Kindergarten through fifth grade, science concepts are incorporated across the curriculum, and in grades six and above, science

classes incorporate physical and life sciences with a growing emphasis on STEM concepts.

Social Studies. ACDS social studies teachers bring history to life and regularly teach through interactive simulations, field trips, and debates. Starting in third grade, we use the History Alive! curriculum. Our Festival of Learning, establishes a year-long, school-wide, cross-curricular theme and culminates in a week of special activities and presentations devoted to that theme. Past topics have included endangered species, global warming, the Middle East, and Colonial Alexandria.

And more. All students also benefit from regular instruction in the Spanish language, technology, information literacy, art, drama, music, and physical education.

Stretch your mind.

Whether in school, work, or life, having the ability to express ideas in a coherent and effective manner is essential. Whether reading the morning message to their class in Kindergarten, reading original poetry at a local coffee house in third grade, making an iMovie about global warming in fifth grade, or writing a thesis paper in eighth grade, there are myriad opportunities built into the school day for students to develop their communication skills.

Our middle school 1:1 iPad program provides additional tools for fifth through eighth grade students to create and enhance these presentations. Middle School students also participate in Speeches & Sweets, a series of evening events at which each student gives a speech that he or she has written. Followed by a dessert reception, Speeches & Sweets is a favorite ACDS tradition dating back to the School’s founding.

Morning Meeting in the Lower School and Circle of Power and Respect in the Middle School provide structured time to build community within the classroom and address the social-emotional lives of students. There and throughout the school day, students are given the tools and support necessary to build and maintain positive and healthy interpersonal relationships with their peers.

Across the curriculum, all ACDS students are challenged to demonstrate their learning through age-appropriate written and oral presentations.

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATOR

Express Yourself.

Good communication skills come from proper teaching, experience, and confidence. Through parenting and constant communication with her teachers at ACDS, Alani has grown immensely as an effective communicator with her peers as well as the adults. It has been wonderful to watch her become more empathetic when caring for her peers.

Derrick & Viviana Davilaparents of Alani, 4th Grade

I chose The Dangers of Food Coloring and Food-Borne Illnesses for my 5th grade Speeches and Sweets topic. It was very interesting to learn more about the topic and I learned that writing a paper is much, much more than putting a few sentences down on paper. It’s a hard process

to write a good research paper, and I loved the challenge.

Isabela Dunlap, 6th Grade

ACDS always encouraged my desire for knowledge. My teachers gave me direction, but I had the freedom to make my learning exciting. I worked on several big projects where I could choose my own topic. For example, for my Science Fair project in 7th grade, I could select anything in Physics, so I chose to learn about Rocket Efficiency, which was a very interesting theme for me. For an English project in 8th grade, I selected the name, location, interior design, and menu for an imaginary restaurant based on my favorite book Flowers for Algernon.

Aktan Turdukulov ’13 St. Albans School Class of 2017

Kyle’s teachers have kept him excited and engaged, and we’ve seen his once shy demeanor transition into a more active and engaged personality. Kyle wants to do his homework by himself. He prefers that we check it only after he has completed it.

Keith & Mary Burnerparents of Kyle, 2nd Grade

Students at ACDS are taught that they are not only members of a school community, but local and global communities as well.

Through a robust service learning program, the Festival of Learning, and our social studies curriculum, students learn about the world around them and take action.

Each grade commits to engaging in a service project related to their studies, and the school also takes time each year for all-school service events. ACDS is committed to being an engaged and active member of the Alexandria community.

Give to others.Through a robust service learning program, the Festival of Learning, and our social studies curriculum, students learn about the world around them and take action.

COMMUNITY MINDED

Give to others.Within the school community, older students become mentors to younger ones through our buddy program. Buddies participate in a variety of activities throughout the year and often form lasting bonds.

Middle School students serve as the leaders of the school community through Student Council, Honor Council, and Peer Advocates. They also serve as Admissions Ambassadors, sharing their insights with prospective parents and students. ACDS graduates take this valuable experience with them and frequently serve in leadership positions in high school and beyond.

BALANCED

In today’s fast-paced world, finding balance in one’s life has become crucial.

At ACDS, we provide a challenging academic program, but are also deeply committed to ensuring there is ample time for our students to participate in other activities, in addition to unstructured playtime.

Three separate outdoor play spaces on our campus, as well as a gym, allow for choice during daily recess. Frequent PE, music, and art classes in all grades, and drama classes in grades five to eight, provide outlets for physical and creative energy.

After school, ACDS offers not only aftercare, but a wide-range of extra-curricular activities. The choices change each trimester and include activities such as Harry Potter Club, dance, Legos, and puppet making. Instrumental music lessons are also offered at the school.

Beginning in fourth and fifth grades, students are able to participate in our interscholastic athletics program. ACDS’s no-cut policy enables any interested student to participate in soccer, cross-country, basketball, swimming, tennis, Ultimate Frisbee, and softball.

At ACDS, we provide a challenging academic program, but are also deeply committed to ensuring there is ample time for our students to participate in other activities and unstructured playtime.

Pursue your passions.

At ACDS the focus is not just on educating our children through the best programs and academics, but molding them into dynamic individuals. Camilo gets the balance we are looking for by the everyday academic tasks, and also through the little things. For example, every teacher and administrator knows him by name. This is huge for Camilo to feel safe, supported, and accepted. ACDS is also wonderful at building a sense of community. It’s the combination of learning, being social, and feeling a part

of something big that makes all the difference.

German Gomez & Tammy Osborne de Gomez

parents of Camilo, 1st Grade

ACDS has helped me understand the importance of balance by teaching me to organize and manage my time. In third grade we learned how to record our assignments in our notebook planners and in Middle School we learned how to write long-term research papers that required a lot of time. By learning how to organize my homework assignments

and plan for long-term projects, I have more free time to enjoy my activities.

Shannon Ayres, 7th Grade

I have had the privilege of participating in many community service activities throughout my years at ACDS. Whether collecting used shoes to send to kids in Latin America, organizing an old-coat drive in the winter time, or donating extra school supplies at the end of the year, the ACDS community is always looking for ways to help others.

Mabry Griffin, 8th Grade

The Buddy Program is one of Vinnie’s favorites. To have an older student take the time to help with projects and share valuable knowledge and experience is very special and comforting to Vinnie. Our son cannot wait until he is in fifth grade, so that he can become a

buddy. Vinnie says, “it’s the coolest.”

Vincent & Carrie Nicholsonparents of Vinnie, 3rd Grade

Alexandria Country Day School does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, or national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship program, or any other school-administered programs.

For more information, to schedule a visit, or to apply, please visit www.acdsnet.org or call the admissions office at 703.837.1303.

2400 Russell Road Alexandria, VA 22301 703.548.4804 www.acdsnet.org