Our History

Founded in 1959, Rockland Country Day School was established by a group of community leaders whose standards reflected the era's heightened concern with educational excellence. Led by Professor Charles Frankel of Columbia University, first president of the RCDS Board of Trustees, the group shared a common vision of formal schooling that was forward-looking and innovative, while grounded in the independent school tradition of challenging intellectual work, character development and preparation for leadership in our world. At its founding, the School was situated in South Nyack, NY. When it outgrew that site, the School moved to its present location, twenty acres of open and wooded land in Congers, NY. Located twenty miles from Manhattan, the School's program is greatly enriched by the city's diverse cultural offerings.

At its core, RCDS is a school where children become rooted in ethical integrity and learn to sustain individual differences. Their regard for multi-cultural needs, humanitarian idealism, and community service opens their awareness to human need in the larger world.

Our Mission

RCDS is an independent school for grades pre-K through 12. We use humanistic methods to prepare students for higher education.

We pledge to:

Recognize and celebrate each student as a unique individual;

Set high academic expectations in an encouraging environment;

Promote intellectual curiosity by engaging students in experiential learning;

Foster independent thinking across a wide range of educational experiences;

Advance each student's knowledge, ability and character to the highest possible level;

Reflect constantly on our teaching and attend ongoing training in new classroom methods;

Collaborate as teachers, students and families to preserve a diverse community grounded in kindness;

And use the natural resources of our 20 acre campus to demonstrate the interdependence of all life.

By working with us, RCDS students will develop the social, intellectual and ethical skills necessary for success in higher education - and in life.

Please visit us at www.rocklandcds.org for more information or Please click the link at the top of the page to be directed to the RCDS homepage.