Mission-driven and guided by exceptional leaders, we're committed to developing fully the potential of every student.

Forward Thinking

For more than 75 years, Country Day has continued to build on our long legacy of firsts among the Charlotte region's independent schools, introducing groundbreaking programs and progressive ideas.

We respect each individual, embrace diversity, and value the relationships uniting us as a school and connecting us with our local and global communities.

A world of opportunity is waiting for your child, and we look forward to sharing each step along the way with you.

Schedule a Virtual Visit

We are eager to meet you and welcome you to our campus and community...virtually! Please complete our inquiry form or call the Admissions Office at (704) 943-4530.

Investing in the Future

As you will learn through the admissions process, families find great value in the Country Day educational experience. Learn more about financial aid and affording the best in education.

Our students explore possibilities, gain skills and knowledge, and tackle intellectual challenges, as we prepare them to take their place in the world.

International Baccalaureate

We are the only independent school in the state to offer students this rigorous, internationally recognized course of study. Our small class sizes are essential to successfully developing the intellectual, personal, emotional, and social skills that the IB Program offers.

College Counseling

Through our highly individualized College Counseling program, involving both students and their families, Country Day Upper School students find the college or university that best matches their goals and interests—a place where they will thrive, excel, and contribute.

Our goal is to shape confident, healthy, well-rounded adults who are comfortable and successful in diverse settings and ready to make significant contributions to society.

Cultural Diversity

We believe a culturally, ethnically, racially, and socioeconomically diverse community is essential to providing a rich learning environment for all children.

Technology

We believe the creative, innovative, and intelligent use of technology is critically important. By blending the best elements of traditional teaching and strong student/teacher relationships with the inventive nature of digital learning, our students will be ready for the future.

Through visual art, vocal and instrumental music, drama, and dance, our fine arts program celebrates personal expression and connects our students to history, diverse cultures, and their own imaginations.

Artists in Residence

Our Artists in Residence program provides unique student experiences fueled by art and culture. In addition to bringing outside artists to campus to work directly with our students on special projects, Middle and Upper School students are offered opportunities to explore their talents and creative expression abroad.

Hance Family Gallery

The Hance Family Gallery exhibits artwork from our students, faculty, alumni, and visiting artists. Every year, we host an exhibit open to the public featuring works from special artists.

A vibrant culture of philanthropy has sustained our ability to offer excellence in education for more than 75 years.

Our Top Giving Priority

The Country Day Fund is our top giving priority because it directly supports Country Day's greatest assets—our students and our teachers.

Make a Gift

We are grateful to those who support Country Day at every level. There are a variety of ways to make a gift to Country Day.

Lower School

Junior Kindergarten–Fourth Grade

The important first years of a child’s education form the foundation for future success in every aspect of life. Country Day gives preschool aged through fourth grade students a balanced and challenging program where confidence, talent, friendship, and individuality flourish. Here, students become strong, independent thinkers, guided by expert teachers who encourage their natural curiosity and help them master essential skills.

Each day in Lower School is filled with remarkable opportunities and experiences.

As a member of the Country Day Lower School community, each student:

Helps build a class of compassionate, respectful, thoughtful students who value and learn from each other.
Conducts hands-on experiments in a dedicated Lower School science laboratory.
Learns healthy habits in our award-winning daily physical education program.
Begins to study French and Spanish in junior kindergarten and kindergarten.
Grows in confidence through public speaking, theatrical productions, and research presentations.
Creates a welcoming environment and helps visitors and new students feel at home.
Plays an active role in service projects that teach the importance of acceptance, integrity, cooperation, and fairness.

“Coding is increasingly being viewed as a new 'literacy,' a skill so vital to understanding the world that many argue all students should master it—just like reading, writing, and math. I love working at a school that is looking critically at our computer science curriculum and thinking long-term about how to integrate engineering, design, thinking, and coding/computer programming skills into our program in meaningful ways.”

Joe Hernick, Director of Educational Technology

Integrated Curriculum

A balanced, inquiry-based Lower School curriculum ensures that each student has the opportunity to master core knowledge, competencies, and technical skills. Many studies and activities take students outside the regular classroom.

MORE ABOUT OUR LOWER SCHOOL CURRICULUM

Extraordinary Opportunities

Special Area Classes Innovate During COVID-19

When faced with the challenge of holding special area classes in their typical format due to COVID-19 restrictions and precautions, our teachers went to work. Read examples of how our special area teachers record their lessons, supply materials to the classroom teachers, provide feedback to students through recordings, and bring this content and joy to our students through reimagining and innovating!

Halloween Fun!

Video and photo highlights of the 72nd annual Lower School Halloween Parade, our school's longest tradition dating back to 1948.

Lessons Learned from the Mystery Unit

Head of Lower School Bill Mulcahy shares his perspective and what he learned from our third-graders.

What Does Leadership Mean to Fourth Graders?

A group of students share their definition of "leadership" with Head of Lower School Bill Mulcahy.

Trying to Understand Math at Country Day?

When you were in math class, do you remember seeing a word problem and hitting the "panic button" right away? When approaching math in Lower School, our teachers instill a positive math mindset and create deeply enriching math experiences that will help students approach future math classes with enthusiasm and persistence.