Discover JCDS
In your journey to find the best private school in Jacksonville, we are honored that you are considering Jacksonville Country Day School.
Jacksonville Country Day School is the premier choice in elementary education in Northeast Florida. Our academic program, facilities, character education, after-school enrichment, and caring faculty are all well-known for their excellence.
Jacksonville Country Day School is the premier choice in elementary education in Northeast Florida. Our academic program, facilities, character education, after-school enrichment, and caring faculty are all well-known for their excellence.
At JCDS, we understand children and the process of educating them, every part of them—their minds, their bodies, and their hearts. We are passionate about children and what is best for them.
Through a very deliberate partnership with our families, we are committed to having confident graduates who are strong in character and academics, who can communicate effectively, lead by example, and show respect and compassion for others.
Through a very deliberate partnership with our families, we are committed to having confident graduates who are strong in character and academics, who can communicate effectively, lead by example, and show respect and compassion for others.
As educators, we know it is the process of getting there that is most important. It is about the journey — the everyday experiences that make the difference.
Childhood is the shortest, most important part of our lives. We need to make it impactful — we need to make it count. It is the foundation of everything else.
Childhood is the shortest, most important part of our lives. We need to make it impactful — we need to make it count. It is the foundation of everything else.
We allow children to play, to develop social and emotional skills, take risks, learn in a multisensory, integrated environment that supports development at every age. We know that children need to move a lot, learn from mistakes, problem solve, collaborate, and be able to create and express themselves.
In order to find success in the classroom, students at JCDS are surrounded by knowledgeable and caring adults who make sure our children feel loved and are learning and growing.
We provide enriching and engaging experiences for all of our students by using data and research to drive our instruction while varying the complexity for different learners.
We provide enriching and engaging experiences for all of our students by using data and research to drive our instruction while varying the complexity for different learners.
JCDS offers a challenging and engaging curriculum to help our students grow and reach their full potential. Our character education program brings out the best aspects of their personalities. Our programs — including the 7 Mindsets, virtues of the month, and service learning — help develop understanding of positive human relationships. Our Spanish, physical education, and fine arts programs ensure that our students are well-rounded.
Words alone cannot accurately describe the wondrous world our students enjoy at Jacksonville Country Day School. Plan on a campus tour, whether in-person or virtual, to see for yourself. (See Visit Us, at the bottom of this page.)
Words alone cannot accurately describe the wondrous world our students enjoy at Jacksonville Country Day School. Plan on a campus tour, whether in-person or virtual, to see for yourself. (See Visit Us, at the bottom of this page.)
At JCDS, the learning doesn't stop at the end of the school day. Fully 92% of our students participate in at least one after-school enrichment activity. Offerings include programs for students to be artistic, get active and move, as well as tackle problem-solving and academic challenges. Many activities are led by JCDS faculty and staff who are able to share their expertise or passions with the students. Others are led by local experts with whom we partner to offer new and exciting programs. All programs are carefully selected to offer our students a seamless extension of their academic day and that align with our mission as a school.
The after-school enrichment program at JCDS is the most comprehensive of any elementary school in Northeast Florida. For more information, check our Enrichment page.
The after-school enrichment program at JCDS is the most comprehensive of any elementary school in Northeast Florida. For more information, check our Enrichment page.
Facts and Figures
List of 8 items.
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100%
STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN SERVICE LEARNING -
19
Acres of beautiful wooded land -
55%
Diversity Rate -
92%
Students in After-School Enrichment -
5
Days a Week of Both PE and Recess -
15
Average Years of Experience for Full-Time Teachers -
16k+
Books in the library -
420+
Happy Students at JCDS
School News
Field Day is a Spring tradition at JCDS.
One of the most exciting days of the year happened in April, as our Sharks participated in Field Day! Our sensational Physical Education department spent many weeks planning the activities, creating team assignments, and gathering equipment and supplies.
The day began with an assembly at the Yellow Circle. The JCDS Band and Drumline performed for the students.Sharky was on hand to greet the students and boost their spirits, which were already very high!
Head of School Chris Johnson gave some encouraging words, an officially declared the games to begin.
There was a wide array of games for the students to play, requiring various degrees of skill and luck, as well as athletic ability.
"The purpose of a school-wide Field Day is to show our school spirit and experience a connection with our JCDS community," said PE Specialist Emily Vasquez. "As PE teachers, of course, we want to promote physical activity but also a sense of teamwork and sportsmanship towards everyone involved."
Some games were set up especially for our Early Learning Sharks in the gym. The younger students played some water balloon throwing games outside as well. They enjoyed themselves immensely while, at the same time, developing their motor skills.
"Many of the stations are practiced at some point during PE classes to not only help the day run smoothly but also to help students be successful," Ms. Vasquez explained. "We emphasize the importance of following the rules, spotlight students who demonstrate good sportsmanship, and give pep talks about showing good character."
The same expectations were in effect for Field Day.
The success of Field Day depended on adult supervision to keep things moving. Our wonderful parent volunteers made it possible for a smooth Field Day.
"Parent volunteers are greatly needed and appreciated to host our JCDS Field Day with 410 students and 30 different stations. Volunteers help keep things organized and safe for our students, allowing them to have an enjoyable day," said Ms. Vasquez.
The parents helped the children to move from one activity to the next and provided some friendly encouragement as the students competed.
Every year, one of the objectives of Field Day is to get WET! Many of the activities involve water balloons, water blasters, moving water from one bucket to another, or throwing wet sponges. Staff members were observed filling 5-gallon jugs of water and delivering them to various stations around the field. Some students couldn't wait to get wet from errant water droplets and doused themselves! No worries; the warm sun evaporated it quickly.
Every year, one of the objectives of Field Day is to get WET! Many of the activities involve water balloons, water blasters, moving water from one bucket to another, or throwing wet sponges. Staff members were observed filling 5-gallon jugs of water and delivering them to various stations around the field. Some students couldn't wait to get wet from errant water droplets and doused themselves! No worries; the warm sun evaporated it quickly.
Of course, the special day concluded with the classic tug-of-war. The students competed by grade level and tried their best. There was disappointment, of course, when a team wasn't victorious, but the Sharks consistently demonstrated how competition can be friendly!
"Our students displayed great teamwork and sportsmanship on Field Day," said PE Specialist Leif Noren. "It’s great to see our students encouraging each other with friendly competition. It was a fun, action-packed day for our students to get some energy out and compete with each other."
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Protect the Penguins!
First graders build comfy shelters. -
Students "Joust!" in their Final Show
Arthur pulls a zany musical from the stone! -
Examining Owl Pellets
Third-graders learn about an owl's diet by finding the bones. -
Exploring Diverse Cultures
JCDS celebrates a World of Nations. -
The Zone of Proximal Development
Our teachers are stretching the minds of students under their careful guidance. -
Divide and CONQUER!
Learning long division in 3rd grade is a labor of...persistence! -
NASA Will Be Hiring
Our fourth-graders enjoyed their unit on space and rocket science. -
Our Sharks Can Write!
And they can spell it right! -
A Show About Icky Things!
The second grade show is about creepy crawlies.
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Our Graduates
One hundred percent of 5th grade graduates from JCDS get their choice of local private middle schools.
Our Portrait of a Graduate captures the school’s core beliefs and how those are reflected in each of our students and graduates. We focus on the qualities that make our students uniquely prepared for middle school and beyond. It is this portrait that brings our mission to life and affirms the choice families make to send their children to Jacksonville Country Day School.
Visit Us
Jacksonville Country Day School is an independent and multicultural school dedicated to motivating and guiding students towards fully achieving their unique potential.
Jacksonville Country Day School
Located in Jacksonville, FL, Jacksonville Country Day School is a private school for Pre-K 3 through 5th grade. JCDS prepares students for a healthy and productive lifetime of intellectual exploration, character development, and social responsibility.
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