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 Visit

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

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.

Off-Campus

Upper School students have opportunities to travel and study off campus and abroad, either through Country Day sponsored programs or affiliate programs, such as School Year Abroad and Chewonki Semester School. Students who have interest in other semester-away opportunities not listed below are free to pursue those as well. Country Day awards academic credit as able for work with most accredited programs, however GPA is not impacted by courses completed outside of Country Day.

Sister School Exchanges, Study Trips, and Service-Learning Experiences

The International Studies office administers Sister School exchanges, study trips, and service-learning experiences. Country Day has longstanding partnerships with schools in Nantes, France; Krefeld, Germany; and Nanjing, China. Upper School students visit these schools for approximately two weeks (usually in June) and host students from these schools for two weeks during the school year. Transcript credit is available to students who complete the requirements. Faculty-led experiences abroad take place during school breaks during the academic year and the summer. Exchanges, study trips, and service-learning experiences vary from year to year, and in addition to those listed above may include Italy, London, Costa Rica, and Morocco, as well as service opportunities in Hungary, India, Cuba, and South Africa.

School Year Abroad

Offering a high school year in China, France, Italy, or Spain, this program is the only secondary-level program that allows students to live with a host family while earning Upper School graduation credits and preparing for selective United States colleges and universities. Founded in 1965 and sponsored by three New England boarding schools (Phillips Academy, Phillips Exeter Academy, and St. Paul’s School), School Year Abroad (SYA) operates its own schools in Rennes, France; Zaragoza, Spain; Beijing, China; and Viterbo, Italy. SYA’s program includes a nine month home-stay with courses taught exclusively in the native language plus American core courses taught by faculty from the sponsoring schools.

Chewonki Semester School

Founded in 1988, Chewonki Semester School, offers about 40 juniors from top day and boarding schools around the country the chance to spend half of their year on a 400-acre coastal peninsula, surrounded by salt marshes and tidal inlets and bordered with several miles of shoreline. The Afternoon Work Program affords the opportunity to work on an organic farm, chop firewood, and help with construction projects. The curriculum of includes traditional junior year courses as well as distinctive courses such as Environmental Issues, Natural History of the Maine Coast, and Art and the Natural World. Country Day and Chewonki coordinate the program of study for our students’ year courses. One co-curricular credit is granted for the work program, and a fine arts studio credit is granted for Art and the Natural World. Country Day is pleased to be one of 14 member schools.

Summer Academic Programs

Country Day does not offer summer academic courses for credit. Students wishing to engage in academic courses either online or at other institutions should see the Director of Studies for suggestions and information. At this time, summer courses taken at other institutions do not transfer to the Country Day transcript or factor into a student’s GPA.