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 9 items.
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100%
STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN SERVICE LEARNING -
19
Acres of beautiful wooded land -
55%
People of Color -
92%
Students in After-School Enrichment -
1:1
iPads beginning in Kindergarten -
5
Days a Week of Both PE and Recess -
15
Average Years of Experience for Full-Time Teachers -
16k+
Books in the library -
400+
Happy Students at JCDS
School News
Learning long division in 3rd grade is a labor of...persistence!
The 3rd-graders have been working on long division in math class, one of the more challenging aspects of mathematics to learn.
To solve a long division problem, there are many steps to remember. First, you must do some estimating before dividing. Next, you must keep the place values straight. Finally, sometimes there is that pesky remainder. It's no wonder the students feel triumphant when they solve these problems correctly!
While the students touched on division last year in 2nd grade, our trio of 3rd-grade teachers are bringing the students to a much higher level. In about two weeks, they have worked their way up to three-digit numbers divided by 2, 3, 4, and 5.
Ms. Debbie Cannington, Ms. Laurie Incles, and Ms. Leigh Anne Milne skillfully lead the students through the process of dividing more complex numbers. It is a challenge, but is facilitated by the students being prepared with their basic math facts.
"The students are required over the summer to practice their math facts including multiplication to 5's," said Ms. Cannington. "At the beginning of third grade, we stress practicing at night to the families so students are fluent."
The students are also doing word problems to apply mathematics to real-life situations. This involves a degree of critical thinking, as each student has to identify the relevant information in the text and apply it to the equation. This promotes a much deeper understanding of the concepts.
The students are also doing word problems to apply mathematics to real-life situations. This involves a degree of critical thinking, as each student has to identify the relevant information in the text and apply it to the equation. This promotes a much deeper understanding of the concepts.
Our teachers are using the math series "Dimensions" — which employs Singapore Math methods to make it more visual for students.
"We use bar models — a picture — to help the students visualize the problems and to assist them in solving equations," said Ms. Cannington.
"We also teach them to use bars and units to visualize word problems," adds Ms. Incles. "This works well with multi-step problems that include multiplication and division."
Ms. Cannington has a shortcut to remember the steps in long division. The steps are divide, multiply, subtract, and bring down. She helps the kids recall these steps by remembering: Dad, Mom, Sister, and Brother.
By building a strong foundation in long division, third graders not only gain essential math skills but also develop problem-solving strategies that will support their success in future learning challenges.
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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. -
First Graders are Over the Moon!
Students get a hands-on lesson on how the Moon was formed. -
To Bee or Not to Bee
Third graders learn about our favorite pollinators. -
First Graders Create Books!
Students combine tech with creativity and writing skills. -
Students "Deep Dive" into Big Things!
In September, students participated in their first Deep Dive of the year, an opportunity for them to intensely focus on a creative project with our specialists. -
Third Graders Hit the Books
Remember writing book reports when you were in school? This time-tested practice is still an important tool for helping students better comprehend the material in their selected books. -
Painting Fall Landscapes
Pre-K 4 students create lovely art for autumn.
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Our Graduates
One hundred percent of 6th 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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