About - Independent School in NC | Charlotte Country Day

Our independent school offers students and their families an unsurpassed opportunity to prepare for the future—an opportunity grounded in the strength of tradition and shaped by generations of visionary leaders. Here, you’ll find a profound commitment to lifelong learning, hands-on experiences, individualized attention, and a caring, inclusive community.

A strong forward thinking institution

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Fast Facts
By the Numbers

Fast Facts

School Colors
Green & Gold

Mascot
Buccaneer (Bucs)

Motto
Fortitudine Ac Pietate "With Courage and Reverence"

JK–12

Grades served

28

of Mecklenburg County's 30 ZIP codes, plus Union, Cabarrus, Iredell, Stanly, Gaston, and York counties is where our families live.

150

Summer academic and enrichment programs

350

full-time faculty and staff

7

bus stops available for our students who need transportation

5,276

Alumni who graduated from Country Day

By the Numbers

The commitment and generosity of our school community helps provide our students with an exceptional educational experience and opportunities that go far beyond the classroom.

1,744

Students enrolled for 2024-25 school year

98%

Three-year average reenrollment rate

8:1

Average student/faculty ratio

$9.2 million

financial aid awarded to 344 students (20% of our student body)

$70 million*

Our endowment is the largest among independent schools in NC *(as of 6/30/24)

$2.7 million

raised for the Country Day Fund in 2023-24, our top fundraising priority.

Tailored Middle School Experience

Country Day is the only independent school in the region to have a separate campus for Middle School students.

From vocal and instrumental music to single-gender math classes, the curriculum is designed to support students during these transitional years.

Bus Transportation

Country Day offers bus transportation services to a variety of locations throughout Charlotte. For convenience, we also offer a morning and afternoon shuttle service between both Cannon and Bissell campuses.

Bus Locations

We provide service to the following neighborhoods and bus stop locations:

Myers Park (Westminster Church, Covenant Presbyterian Church, Cornwell Center, Little Church)
Charlotte Country Club

Legacy of Firsts

In 1941, Country Day’s founding headmaster, Dr. Thomas Burton, brought a new concept in education to Charlotte. Considered an original and progressive educator by his peers, Dr. Burton believed passionately in the value of independent day schools, and quickly rallied some of Charlotte’s most prominent leaders around his vision.

For more than 80 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.

Accreditation

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Southern Association of Independent Schools

SELECTED MEMBERSHIPS & ACADEMIC ORGANIZATIONS

National Association of Independent Schools
North Carolina Association of Independent Schools
The Cum Laude Society
Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)
The College Board
International Baccalaureate Diploma Program
National Art Honor Society
National Honor Society
Tri-M Music Honor Society
National Junior Honor Society

The Acorn

The acorn has a special place in our school seal for an important reason. An acorn only appears on a fully mature oak tree; therefore, it is considered a symbol of the patience needed to attain goals over a long period of time. It represents perseverance and hard work. Just as it takes water, sun, and air for an acorn to grow into a strong tree, it takes the care and commitment of dedicated teachers, coaches, and parents over many years to help our students grow into fine young adults.