GCDS is an independent, coeducational, nonsectarian school providing a unique blend of educational programs for children ages 6 weeks-5th grade.
A Brief Overview
Gainesville Country Day School is an independent, coeducational, integrated, nonsectarian school providing a unique blend of educational programs for children of preschool age through fifth grade. The school consists of two campuses in a heavily wooded suburban setting: one houses the elementary school and our half-day preschool; the other campus houses the extended day preschool. The student body consists of 128 elementary students and 130 preschoolers. The faculty consists of 45 full and part time teachers.
Staff Qualifications
The faculty at our preschools and elementary school are well qualified. Each classroom hosts two teachers with degrees in either early childhood or elementary education. Additional instructors outside the classroom are used for specialties such as art, physical education, Spanish, music, technology, logic and poetry to supplement the curriculum.
If you would like more information, or to schedule a visit, please visit our website- www.gainesvillecountrydayschool.org
School Philosophy
We are committed to accepting children as they are, with their own backgrounds, experiences, interests, natures, and abilities. Our teachers are dedicated to helping children learn, grow, and find success in coming to school. The curriculum emphasizes active rather than passive learning and activities are designed to encourage independence and creativity. Attention is given to utilizing the basic skills and applying them in increasingly complex projects and activities. Our curriculum consists of integrated subject matter areas and flexible curricular experiences designed to meet the needs of children of different levels of ability and experience. Our low pupil-teacher ratio makes it possible to provide a varied and stimulating range of learning experiences for each child.
~Early Childhood Education~
The early childhood curriculum is organized to have children find success. All the activities, whether reading, art, or music, are individually oriented and developmentally sound.
The early childhood curriculum is organized to have children find success at school.
Problem Solving and Creativity
The curriculum emphasizes creativity, problem solving, and active rather than passive learning in the preschool classes. We use a “hands-on,” multi-sensory approach to teach new concepts, as young children learn best through doing. A low pupil-teacher ratio make active learning possible.
Positive Social Experiences
Preschool is a time to have children achieve positive social experiences, learn how to make friends and get along with others, and become cooperative, caring members of a social group. Children should look at school as a banquet of wonderful opportunities to do and learn, and to see themselves as competent, loved, and creative learners.
For more on Early Childhood Education at GCDS, please visit our website- www.gainesvillecountrydayschool.org
~Elementary Education~
Kindergarten-
Kindergarten offers children an opportunity to synthesize the skills acquired in our early childhood program with the academic strategies needed for competence in the elementary grades.
Our faculty’s academic background helps make them particularly sensitive to the developmental needs of each child. The Kindergarten student, while progressing at his/her own pace, is presented with a challenging variety of learning approaches.
Grades One and Two-
The primary program for grades one and two emphasizes individual growth and discovery, while giving children daily opportunities to apply decision making skills and to rely on their own judgment. At Gainesville Country Day School, each child is encouraged to assume responsibility for making choices and ordering his/her own life, to cooperate with others in the completion of a task, to learn proper care of personal and school belongings, and to explore alternative ways of dealing with negative situations. Students are guided to maintain a healthy concept of self while respecting others, both for ways they are alike and the ways they are different, and to become comfortable expressing feelings while appreciating the feelings of others. Our aim is to have each child find success, competence, and enjoyment in learning.
Grades Three through Five-
The elementary program for grades three through five moves the child from a program of structured basic skills to using these skills independently on projects that cover all the subject areas. The student is guided into accepting more responsibility and developing independence. More is expected in homework, expanding study skills, use of reference materials, and the synthesis and application of basic subject matter through creative involvement. Every attempt is made to provide the elementary school child with a strong sense of self-discipline and the confidence to attempt and be successful, whatever the challenge.
For more on kindergarten-fifth grade at GCDS, please visit our website- www.gainesvillecountrydayschool.org
~Also offered at CGDS~
After School Clubs such as...Chess, Math, Drama, Music, Soccer, Basketball, Football, Journalism, Girls on the Run, Art, Spanish, Lego Club, Survival Club, Silly Science, Technology, Top Chef...and many others
Summer Entertainment Camp including activities such as...Top Chef, Performance Art, Chess, Board Games, Arts & Crafts, Athletics, Karaoke, Music, Ping Pong, Marbles and Jacks, Oooey Gooey Science...and many others. Every Friday is a splash with our carnival atmosphere.
