Our Program

We are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and welcoming community where all individuals are valued, respected, and empowered to contribute fully. Building a culture of belonging for students, faculty, and staff is central to our mission.

Programs and Events

Throughout the year, Country Day offers programs and events that celebrate diverse perspectives, foster meaningful dialogue, and strengthen our sense of community. Highlights include:

Diversity Guest Author Series — Since 2006, award-winning authors and literary voices have engaged Middle School students and students from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in conversations about diverse cultures, experiences, and perspectives. Read more.

Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr. — Each January, students across all divisions honor Dr. King's life, legacy, and impact through assemblies, special programs, student presentations, and community reflections. Read more.

Middle School Assembly Speakers — Parents, faculty, staff, and other community members share their personal stories and perspectives, encouraging conversations about identity, belonging, and understanding.

POCIS-Sponsored Events — Annual programs include a community cookout, Lower School Dance, and Upper School Senior Showcase, all designed to celebrate multicultural awareness and honor student achievement and leadership. Read more.

Alumni Diversity Awareness Forum (DAF) Luncheon — College-aged alumni return to campus each year to connect with current student leaders and share insights from their experiences in college and beyond.

Our Program

Affinity Groups

Our affinity groups provide opportunities for students and parents to build community, explore shared experiences, and develop leadership skills. Guided by the principles of Affirming Identity, Building Community, and Cultivating Leadership, these groups help foster belonging and connection across our school.

Student Groups: Lower, Middle, and Upper School affinity groups support a variety of identities and experiences.

Parent Groups: POCIS and the International Parents Group provide opportunities for connection and engagement.

Curriculum & Student Learning

Lower School

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are woven throughout the Lower School experience. Through literature, social studies, special area classes, and social-emotional learning, students develop empathy, critical thinking skills, and an appreciation for diverse perspectives.

Students explore concepts of identity, community, and global citizenship through project-based learning and age-appropriate discussions. Teachers intentionally select books and resources that provide both “windows” into others' experiences and “mirrors” that reflect students' own identities and cultures.

Beyond the classroom, students broaden their understanding of the world through experiences such as the Around the World after-school program, where students share the traditions, cultures, and perspectives of their countries and families, as well as a Students of Color Affinity Group.

Middle School

Middle School students engage with diverse perspectives through coursework, literature, guest speakers, and experiential learning opportunities.

In World Geography, students learn from guest speakers representing countries and cultures around the world, helping them make personal connections to the regions they study. Since 2013, all seventh-grade students have participated in Immigration Day, an interdisciplinary program featuring immigrant speakers, community experts, and activities designed to deepen understanding of immigration and its impact on society.

Students also explore themes of identity, belonging, empathy, and cultural understanding through advisory programs, summer reading, and classroom literature, including works by authors from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.

Examples include:

Fifth Grade:
Books read: Amina's Voice, by Hena Khan; I Can Make This Promise, by Christine Day; Before the Ever After, by Jacqueline Woodson; Some Places More Than Others, by Renee Watson; New Kid, by Jerry Craft; Wonder, by RJ Palacio

Sixth Grade:
Ancient Civilization Literature Connections: students read and consider various texts from ancient civilizations throughout the globe that represent different voices and cultures. Examples include, The Odyssey, Epic of Gilgamesh, The Mahabharata, and Tears of Meng Jiang Nu.
Other books read: The Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus, by Dusti Bowling; Wishtree, by Katherine Applegate; Ghost, by Jason Reynolds; Front Desk, by Kelly Yang; Harbor Me, by Jacqueline Woodson; The Bridge Home, by Padma Venkatraman

Seventh Grade:
Books read: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, byWilliam Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer; The Outsiders, by SE Hinton; Refugee, by Alan Gratz

Eighth Grade
Books read: The Hero Next Door, edited by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich; Us, in Progress: Short Stories about Young Latinos, by Lulu Delacre; Once Upon an Edi: Stories of Hope and Joy; by 15 Muslim Voices

Upper School

Upper School students examine identity, culture, history, and social issues through both required coursework and elective offerings.

The required Freshman Seminar addresses topics such as identity development, difference, cooperation, and harassment awareness while introducing students to the Diversity Awareness Forum (DAF). In World History, students explore world religions, colonialism, and their lasting impact on societies around the globe.

Students may further deepen their understanding through electives such as African American History; Education for Social Justice; 20th Century Women's History; Latin American History; Philosophy, Faith, and Fiction; among others.

Student Leadership Development

Faculty Professional Development

Professional learning is a cornerstone of our DEIB efforts. Faculty and staff participate in ongoing training, conferences, and immersive learning experiences designed to strengthen inclusive practices and cultural competency.

Highlights include:

New employee DEIB orientation
People of Color Conference (PoCC)
National SEED Project
Diversity Leadership Institute (DLI)
Civil Rights and Charlotte history immersion experiences

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Affinity Groups

Lower School
Students of Color Affinity Group (grades 1–4)

Middle School

African American Affinity Group
Jewish Culture Club (JCC)
MOSAIC (Mutual Respect, Open-Mindedness, Self-Respect, Attitude, Individuality, and Community) Club
Multiracial Affinity Group (biracial identity)
South Asian Affinity Group (SAAG)

Upper School

Amig@s
Asian Affinity Club
Black Student Union
Interfaith Club
International Club
Jewish Culture Club (JCC)
Multi (multiracial affinity group)
Promoting Respect Inclusion and Safety for Sexual Minorities (PRISSM)
Super Women’s Affinity Group (SWAG)

* Affinity groups are open to all students.

Community Partnerships

Throughout its history, Country Day has partnered with several organizations to broaden access and strengthen the diversity of our community. While some of these partnerships have concluded, each played an important role in welcoming talented students and educators to our school.

A Better Chance (ABC) — From 1987 through the partnership's conclusion, 46 students joined Country Day through ABC.

Sugar Creek Charter School (SCCS) — Beginning in 2013, this partnership provided opportunities for 24 Upper School students to enroll at Country Day.

GenOne — Between 2019 and the program's conclusion, six students became members of the Country Day community through GenOne.

Hearst Teaching Fellowship — Since 1994, Country Day has welcomed 27 Davidson Hearst Teaching Fellows, several of whom have gone on to become full-time faculty members. This partnership remains an important part of our efforts to attract and develop outstanding educators.