Rolling Hills Country Day School
Rolling Hills Country Day School is a nonsectarian independent Kindergarten to Grade 8 school located on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in Los Angeles County, California. More specifically it is located in the area of Palos Verdes known as Rolling Hills Estates.
History
Rolling Hills Country Day School was founded in 1961. It is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Student population
The school has 366 students from approximately nine local communities (for 2013-2014), Lower School (Kindergarten through Grade 5): 231 students, Middle School (Grades 6 through 8): 135 students. 70 percent Caucasian, 21 percent Asian, 4 percent Middle Eastern, 2 percent Hispanic, 3 percent African American.
Faculty
Kindergarten through Grade 8 Faculty: 38, Number of faculty with advanced degrees: 45 percent, Student-to-Faculty ratio: Average of 12:1
Intracurriculars
The school's co-curricular programs offer programs in the following areas:
- Outdoor Education
- The Arts
- Athletics
- Community Service
- After School Programs
Outdoor education
All Country Day School students in Grades 5 through 8 participate in outdoor education. Students are challenged in many ways with the common goal of developing self-reliance and team-building skills. Country Day School graduates remark that their outdoor education experience was one of their most memorable.
The outdoor education experiences include:
- Grade 5: Astro Camp, San Bernardino, CA; physical science camp
- Grade 6: Joshua Tree; camping, hiking.
- Grade 7: Catalina Island Marine Institute, CA; diving/snorkeling along with island ecology to study marine habitat.
- Grade 8: Olympic Park Institute in Washington state. Students learn about the rainforest and Native American culture.
The arts
Singing, painting, and drawing are incorporated into students’ studies beginning in Kindergarten. For the fourth grade mission project students paint and fire Spanish tiles depicting their particular California mission. Fourth grade students continue their studies of California history by performing a play called Oh California! for their fellow students and a special performance for their families.
Facilities include: Music Room, Art studio, Multi-Purpose Room for live performances
Athletics
In addition to a full-time physical education program with three dedicated teachers, Rolling Hills Country Day School also offers after school sports for middle school students. All students are invited to participate in volleyball, basketball, swimming, and water polo in an organized league.
Community service
Community Service is an important part of Country Day School. There are a variety of activities in which students become involved throughout the year, whether as part of their classroom experience or out in the community. The school has holiday giving programs that collect food and gifts for families at a nearby disadvantaged school for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. The school also holds an annual food drive to supplement local food banks. In the past, students have also collected coats and shoes and delivered them to local schools and overseas. The student council regularly holds bake sales to raise money for worldwide disasters. In addition, its students visit local assisted living facilities.
After school programs
Country Day School offers options for after school care for students. It has several programs, including Homework club, freestyle aquatics and 7th period, from dismissal to 6 pm.
Athletics
Physical education
Throughout the school year students take part in a variety of selected activities, including yoga and swim.
After school athletics
The RHCDS competitive sports program provides Middle School students with an opportunity to participate in the following sports: Co-Ed Water Polo, Co-Ed Swim Team, Boys and Girls Soccer, Boys and Girls Basketball, Boys and Girls Volleyball. The school is part of the South Bay Athletic League.
Intramural sports
Intramural sports are offered to 4th and 5th Grade students. Activities emphasize competition, teamwork, and sportsmanship. During intramurals the school places a strong emphasis on the phrase, “It’s not who wins, it’s how you play the game.”
Campus
The campus is located in the Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA. All classrooms are equipped with computers to encourage optimal use of technology in daily learning activities. Most grades also have an iPad available for each child to use. Facilities include: six school buildings, two science labs, library, junior olympic swimming pool, two basketball courts, two volleyball courts, playground, synthetic turf sports field, music room, art studio, multi-purpose room for live performances, art studio, Mac computer lab.
Accreditations
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Affiliations
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), Educational Records Bureau (ERB), California Kindergarten Association
References
External links
Coordinates: 33°47′00″N 118°21′04″W / 33.78333°N 118.35111°W