Country Day offers Upper School students multiple, rigorous academic paths on their way to becoming fully prepared for college. Country Day students performed exceptionally well for the 2019–20 academic year.
National Merit
The National Merit Scholarship Program has recognized 17 members of the Class of 2021 for their excellent performance on the PSAT last year. These students scored in the 97th percentile or higher nationally. Semifinalists go on to compete for college scholarships.
National Merit Semifinalists:
- Robyn Ardern
- Cal Benson
- Arjun Brar
- Joseph Forsythe
- Harrison Gillespie
- Ann Davis Jones
- Manu Koya
- Patrick Moore
- Emma Ricks
Commended Scholars:
- Evan Biller
- Elizabeth Foster
- Evelyn Gates
- Rockwell Hankin
- Adele Morris
- Kurt Steelman
- Russell Tabor
- Kaelan Van Cleeff
AP Scholars
In the spring, Country Day administered over 481 AP exams for 27 different courses. 98 students qualified as AP Scholars with an average score of 4.02. Seven students qualified for the National AP Scholar Award by earning an average score of 4 or higher on a five-point scale on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams. Congratulations to these members of the Class of 2020:
- Stella Cohen
- William Harris
- Thomsen Hoops
- Kyal Htet
- Sylvia Riddell
- Margaret Torstrick
- Charles Veronee
Additionally, 56 students qualified for the AP Scholar with Distinction Award by earning an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams; 17 students qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor Award by earning an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams; and, 25 students qualified for the AP Scholar Award for scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
The IB Class of 2020 boasted a 100% passing rate of this rigorous, internationally recognized curriculum, which is well above the U.S. average. Country Day's IB Diploma graduates over the past few years include Morehead-Cain Scholarship recipients to UNC-Chapel Hill, members taking their athletic abilities to the next level at schools such as Colby, Elon, Rhodes, and Sewanee, and matriculation to such selective schools as UVA, Dartmouth, Wake Forest, and Davidson.
Country Day was the first school in North Carolina to offer The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. This two-year program for juniors and seniors includes a rigorous, well-rounded curriculum, promotes international-mindedness, develops research, writing, and thinking skills, and emphasizes reflection and growth. Country Day offers 24 IB courses.
The Global Seal of Biliteracy in Working Fluency
The Global Seal of Biliteracy in Working Fluency is based on strong AP and IB scores. Not only is it an honor to receive this award, but also, The Global Seal of Biliteracy is recognized nationally and can be used to certify to both universities and employers that the students’ language proficiency falls into the Advanced range according to the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines. Congratulations to:
- Kyal Sin Htet (Spanish)
- Kathryn Leighty (Spanish)
- Erin McCollum (Spanish)
- Carleigh Oberkfell (Spanish)
- Toni-Ann Ocloo (Spanish)
- Sadie Riddell (Spanish)
- Philip Sheurer (Spanish)
- Leila Samiy (Spanish)
- Meredith Whitley (Spanish)