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.
-
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
Kindergarten students excited about learning to write letters
Ms. Amanda Yarberry's Kindergarten class began learning how to properly write the letter "C" and came up with a list of words beginning with that letter. "Cat," "cookie," and "cake" were among the most popular words.
Last week, Ms. Yarberry's "Bookworms" began learning vowels as well as consonants. They learned that consonants have one sound, while vowels have two sounds.
In Pre-K 4, the students learned to write uppercase letters. This year in Kindergarten, the students begin the Fundations curriculum, which uses a grid on which the children write letters. Fundations uses the sky line, plane line, grass line, and worm line to help guide the correct formation of letters.
The students will "sky write" and practice writing on their personal whiteboards. Ms. Yarberry and Assistant Teacher Ellen Nelson work with the students individually as needed to ensure mastery.
Ms. Yarberry deftly transitions the children from one activity to another, gathering them on the carpet or seated at their tables.
"Kindergartners have busy brains and bodies!" Ms. Yarberry said. "Children at this age are still developing their ability to focus on a given task, and short bursts of each activity allow them to be fully engaged."
By the end of the year, the kindergartners will be able to write a properly structured sentence, including capitalized letters at the beginning, spaces between words, and punctuation.
They will learn their sight words and use inventive spelling on unfamiliar words in order to write multiple sentences.
"Kindergartners are truly sponges," Ms. Yarberry said. "I love seeing their confidence shine when they can remember and apply the skills they've learned."
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Painting Fall Landscapes
Pre-K 4 students create lovely art for autumn. -
Heads in the Clouds
Second graders can distinguish stratus from cirrus! -
The First Grade Adventure Begins!
Students hit a major milestone in their educations career. -
Little Sharks Must Swim!
Early learning students receive careful guidance in the pool. -
We're Back!
First day of school was smooth sailing at JCDS! -
Concert was a Blockbuster
JCDS Band and Drumline presented a spectacular show. -
Learning from the Community
Early learning students meet local heroes! -
First Graders are Writing Books!
One of the most important skills that students work on at JCDS is writing and some of the most important first steps in their writing education happen in first grade. -
A World of Nations
The World of Nations celebrates the cultural diversities of our student body, headlined by presentations by our wonderful families. This February, we had 21 countries presented by 25 parents and grandparents.
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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 6th grade. JCDS prepares students for a healthy and productive lifetime of intellectual exploration, character development, and social responsibility.
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