The Independent Day School

For almost 60 years, The Independent Day School has defined educational excellence and dynamism in the greater Hartford and New Haven area.
At IDS, robust academics, personalized instruction and an emphasis on fearless learning come into confluence to create an environment where curiosity thrives, creativity abounds and anything is possible.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Grades: Nursery/Preschool-8
  • Enrollment: 141 students
  • Acceptance rate: 58%
  • Average class size: 10 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

School Overview

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Nursery/Preschool-8
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Year Founded
1961
Summer School Offered
Yes

Student Body

Total Students
141 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
15%
State avg.: 30%
Students by Grade
The Independent Day School Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
28 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
5:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
62%
Average Class Size
10 students
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Neat and clean

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
Jan. 15 / rolling
Tuition Notes
Ranges from $17750 - $31400
% on Financial Aid
58%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$9,400
Acceptance Rate
58%
National avg.: 85%
Admissions Director
Laura Jalinskas
Admissions Associate
Nolan Silbernagel

Sports

Total Sports Offered
5 sports

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
9 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Green Team, Interact Club, Mountain Biking Club, Student Government, Student Newspaper, Ubuntu

Arts and Music Programs:
Chamber Strings, Drama, Jazz Band

School Notes

  • At IDS, classrooms are intentionally small and our current enrollment stands at 150. Lower School classrooms typically have a dozen or more students; when their enrollment grows to 16, a second teacher joins the class. Each grade in Middle School includes about 20 students and class sections range in size to meet student needs and pursue curricular opportunities. While students learn and collaborate across grade levels, our modest size ensures that each student is known and engaged by a team of caring and capable teachers. Whether you are three or thirteen, the personal scale of our school permits us to know each other as we learn and grow together.
  • Childhood is our Center of Gravity - At IDS no one rushes childhood. When we gather as a whole for All School Meetings, or when we play together during Autumn Games or on Field Day, our youngest and oldest students connect in community. Our youngest children raise their voices and make announcements to the entire school and our oldest students still joyfully play on swings and monkey bars. Time honored values of empathy, compassion, and respect have guided our school throughout our history and these live in the daily choices and behaviors students experience at every grade level. Our Lower School students are eager to see their older counterparts and our middle schoolers feel a healthy, genuine sense of responsibility for their younger friends. IDS parents appreciate the gift of time that their children enjoy; students take pleasure in our playgrounds, and their childhoods, while they are being challenged to deepen their knowledge and skills. Because they are not distracted by the choices and behavior facing older students, our 6th, 7th, and 8th graders are free to lead our student community. They are free to refine their voices as they explore their interests, gain confidence, and build their skills. As they prepare for matriculation at some of the country's most competitive and demanding high schools, they can hold onto a youthful sense of play.
  • Experience Activates Learning - At IDS children learn from experience. Students learn through classroom communities, grade level collaborations and school-wide community activities. They participate in all kinds of learning and they discover that their own experiences, whether in a classroom, in band, on an athletic team or on stage in a grade level play production, are powerful teachers. Visitors to the school are delighted at the breadth of the IDS experience. From Kindergarten through 5th grade, every student performs in a grade play. Every 4th grader learns to read music and play an instrument. All of our children play hard and have fun while building basic physical skill development in our Physical Education program. Our students take Spanish and Art and as they learn individually and through teamwork, their playfulness and curiosity fuels their learning and growth to build their abilities. Middle School students take one or more classes in Music, Drama and Art. The impressive breadth of our program engages children's interests and activates their sense of play and creativity.
  • A distinctive value of the IDS program is that students are provided multiple opportunities to learn who they are as learners and how to collaborate, listen, communicate, and problem-solve with other students and teachers. At IDS we insist students participate in a great breadth of experiences and while they play, explore and investigate the worlds of history, mathematics, science, language and culture, sports, music, art and drama we help them to deepen the skills they need to succeed as students and to succeed in life. Everyday they venture into new experiences and everyday their teachers and classmates support and challenge them to use and hone their skills as learners.
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate of The Independent Day School?
The acceptance rate of The Independent Day School is 58%, which is lower than the national average of 69%.
What sports does The Independent Day School offer?
The Independent Day School offers 5 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer and Ultimate Frisbee.
When is the application deadline for The Independent Day School?
The application deadline for The Independent Day School is Jan. 15 / rolling (applications are due on Jan. 15 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

School Reviews

  5.00 out of 5  (5 reviews)
5  
This is our third year at IDS, and we could not be more grateful for our experience thus far. I had never considered private school for my child, however in the Spring of 2020 I decided to inquire in light of how public school systems were managing COVID-19.From our first contact with the admissions director, throughout the enrollment process, and leading into the first day of kindergarten, we felt welcomed and included into the IDS community. One of the most valuable aspects of this school is the emphasis on learning outside the classroom, and enrichment activities focused on arts. Each child is encouraged to develop in their own way, at their own pace, with incredible support from school staff. I would highly recommend that any family interested in a smaller, private school program should reach out for information.. I'm so glad we did!
- Posted by
5  
We came to IDS after a number of years in the public school system. We were initially attracted to IDS because of the small class size and the attention to "soft skills" such as kindness, respectfulness, and embracing one another`s differences. We knew that our child would be exposed to curricular opportunities that were not available to us in our local elementary school, such as Spanish language instruction in the early grades, as well as science education, in general, and experiential learning, in particular, with the school`s on-site nature trail and its commitment to using the natural wonder of the outdoors to teach various age-appropriate scientific concepts. Our child also has the opportunity for after-school activities such as on-campus music lessons, enrichment programs (Legos were a big favorite), and, in the summertime, there are several weeks of camp for students of all ages. IDS has a faculty of engaged and enthusiastic teachers who are committed to educating the whole student. It is truly a school with a community feel and we try to take advantage of all of it.
- Posted by
5  
IDS laid an intellectual and social foundation that helped me achieve success in secondary school and beyond.
- Posted by
5  
This school is a gem my son is in fifth grade and the two teachers are amazing. They work well together and really challenge the kids. Compared to a private school he used to go to, I feel like IDS really focuses on pushing my son to excel. He's a smart kid already, but they are able to support him in what he's best at, as well as help him learn new things and be well-rounded. The school has a fantastic staff, and the families here are very invested in seeing the whole school succeed. Highly recommended!
- Posted by
5  
We feel so lucky to have found IDS! There is great focus on creative and experiential learning that my children really enjoy. The teachers are incredibly nurturing and spend much time and care supporting and challenging each student. The science program is wonderful, with many opportunities for outdoor learning and exploration on the beautiful school grounds. My children look forward to going to school!
- Posted by

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Grades: Nursery/Preschool-8
  • Enrollment: 141 students
  • Acceptance rate: 58%
  • Average class size: 10 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Connecticut is $23,349 for elementary schools and $41,936 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Connecticut is 69% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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