New Canaan Country School
Tel:
(203) 972-0771
- The mission of New Canaan Country School is to guide students to reach their intellectual, creative, moral, and physical potential. We value the imagination and curiosity of children and respect childhood as an integral part of life.
- Our teachers set high academic standards and challenge students to question, to think, to collaborate, and to act with integrity.
- The school works in partnership with families to teach personal, social, and environmental responsibility and to create a community that honors diversity and our common humanity.
- New Canaan Country School inspires students to be lifelong learners with the courage and confidence to make a positive contribution to the world.
Quick Stats (2020-21)
- Grades: Nursery/Preschool-9
- Students: 600 students
- Acceptance rate: 68%
- Average class size: 16 students
- Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / rolling
Top Placements
New Canaan Country School places among the top 20% of private schools in Connecticut for:
- Category Attribute
- Student Body Largest student body
- School History Oldest founding date
School Overview
| School Membership(s)School Assoc. | National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) State or regional independent school association |
| Religious Affiliation | Nonsectarian |
| Grades Offered | Grades Nursery/Preschool-9 |
| Learning Difference Programs | Yes |
| Year Founded | 1916 |
Student Body
| Total Students | 600 students |
| Student Body Type | Co-ed |
| % Students of Color | 15% State avg.: 25% |
| Students by Grade |
|
Academics and Faculty
| Total Classroom Teachers | 110 teachers |
| Student : Teacher Ratio | 5:1 National avg.: 13:1 |
| % Faculty w/Advanced Degree | 68% |
| Average Class Size | 16 students |
| List of Courses Offered | Link to List of Courses |
| Matriculation DataMatric. Data | Link to Matriculation Data |
| Classroom Dress Code | Casual (Middle and Upper School boys are required to wear collared shirts. Shorts may be worn during fall and spring trimesters.) |
Finances and Admission
| Admission Deadline | Jan. 15 / rolling |
| Tuition Notes | Tuition ranges from $23,900 (Beginners 3/4) to $40,675 (Grades 7-9) |
| % on Financial Aid | 19% |
| Average Financial Aid Grant | $27,800 |
| Acceptance Rate | 68% National avg.: 85% |
| Admissions Director | Pamela J. Safford |
| Admissions Associate | Cathy Schinella |
| Endowment Size | $41.3 million |
Sports
| Total Sports Offered | 12 sports |
| Sports | Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Football, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Paddle Tennis, Soccer, Softball, Squash, VolleyballBaseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Football, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Paddle Tennis, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Volleyball, |
Extracurriculars
| Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric. | 16 extracurriculars |
| ExtracurricularsExtra-curric. | Cake Boss, chess Club, Community Service, Computer Building Club, Debate Club, Ecological Task Force Club, Glee Club, Guitar Club, Happy Feet Dance Club, Harry Potter Club, Movie Making, Photography 101, Ping Pong Club, Robocode Club, T-shirt Design Club, Taste Around the World |
School Notes
- New Canaan Country School is an independent day school for students in pre-Kindergarten through Grade 9. Founded in 1916, the school offers a strong academic program, balanced with arts and athletics, in an environment that fosters learning by doing, and develops higher-level critical thinking skills along the continuum of developmental stages.
- 1. Extraordinary Teachers Seasoned professionals and apprentices, men and women, diverse in all respects, the Country School faculty is our most important asset. Over 65% have advanced degrees. Weekly training on and off campus ensures that our teachers are lifelong learners and inspire children to be the same.
- 2. Excellence in Every Classroom Our students will attend the most demanding secondary public and private schools in the country. Across the continuum, from Beginners through grade nine, we challenge children to learn core academic skills and concepts, to express themselves in all art forms, and to push themselves on the playing fields.
- 3. Respect for Childhood Childhood is a vital but fleeting period in life. We design all of our curriculum and activities so that they are just right for each age group. Children learn differently as they mature: we want them to fully appreciate what it means to be three, six, ten, or fourteen.
- 4. Learning from Experience Children learn best by doing: discussing, debating, asking questions, working in teams, taking risks, experiencing the natural world, and interacting in the community. For 93 years, we have helped children become confident by expecting them to actively participate in the learning process.
- 5. Preparation for the World to Come The 21st century world in which our children will live and lead is increasingly diverse in terms of class, religion, race, gender, and orientation. Our curriculum and the make-up of our community ensure that children learn how to navigate a multicultural world with curiosity and respect.
- 6. Technology Tools for Today Every day students here use technology to learn critical thinking skills, creativity, and collaboration. Videoconferencing with students in the Middle East, using web-based tools for collaboration, researching a science topic, or creating art; technology is a tool that helps children to learn about themselves and the world.
- 7. A Community of Good Character Beginning in the earliest grades, we emphasize rights and responsibilities in our school community. We value high standards of academic and personal behavior, and accountability for one's actions. Parents are vital partners in the school's success, older and younger students work together, and academic buildings are designed to foster community.
- 8. Compassion in Action Among the many lessons our students learn are how to be kind and compassionate. We create a safe climate with mutual respect between teachers and students, teaching the will and skills to solve conflicts and a commitment to social justice. Daily campus jobs and regular service projects put theory into action.
- 9. A 75-acre Classroom Our expansive campus is an ideal classroom for our 649 students, with multiple school buildings, gyms, playing fields, a woodshop, and 30 acres of woods and trails. Every day we teach independence and care for nature in a safe, beautiful setting.
- 10. A "Green School" Leader Country School is a leader among private and public schools in its commitment to sustainability. In the curriculum, service projects, campus operations, energy use, building construction, and food programs, we model environmental responsibility for families and the community.
Related Schools
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School Reviews
| 5 NCCS is a remarkable institution truly dedicated to helping students achieve their full potential. I went from 5th to 9th grade and built a foundation for educational success that has translated beyond the classroom as well. The faculty is passionate about learning and the facilities are superb across the board. - Posted by Student/Alumni - tk421 |
| 5 New Canaan Country School is a remarkable place. Aside from the many, many great teachers who made it a wonderful learning experience for our daughter, the school went well beyond any reasonable expectation that we could have had to accommodate her when she developed a severe form of juvenile arthritis near the end of 6th Grade.. They let her Skype into her classes on really bad days, take proctored assessments at home, even bought a special chair for each of her classes that was less painful for her to sit in. The head of the school actually moved one of her classes from the 3rd floor to the ground floor so that she did not have to climb stairs, almost an impossible task for her at that time. There is a strong emphasis on building a strong, supportive community for all at NCCS and the administration and teachers could not have set a better example when it came to helping our daughter and our family at one of the most traumatic periods in our lives. - Posted by Parent - mattz |
| 5 We chose this school because the small environment and community experience. We have had a very positive experience with 2 kids in the school for the past 5 years. Our teachers have been true partners in our kids' education, reaching out to us when there is an issue. Our kids are happy everyday in school and we know they are encouraged to be caring, compassionate and to give their best everyday. - Posted by Parent - Parent |
| 5 My children started at New Canaan Country School when they were 3, in what Country school calls the Beginners program. What we came to experience in the Early Childhood division (Beginners Kindergarten) and at Country School at large was beyond what I could have even imagined for my children or our family. Every morning my children were greeted warmly first by the division head and then by their teachers. They learned to make eye contact, shake hands and feel comfortable talking with these adults. They entered classrooms curated by their teachers with irresistible hands-on-experiences created with intention to teach them new information and skills. Their lessons were taught with so much engagement and creativity. Nature and the natural world was an important way in to learning both in the classroom and outside on the beautiful 75-acre campus complete with trails, vernal ponds and gardens. Intentional and opportunistic teaching moments provided lessons on how to be a friend, how to apologize, how to be kind. Every Friday in the Early Childhood building, the head leads something called Gathering. Everyone-teachers, students-sit in a circle in the center under a massive skylight surrounded by the children`s artwork and creations on display and they share--maybe a Kindergarten class is working on fairy tales and has a play to act out or a Beginners class has a poem to recite to the group. Country School kids are such confident public speakers because they started back in Kindergarten sharing every week at Gathering. But most of all, this is where the children feel an expanded sense of community, outside their classroom. They get to know the other children and teachers and they come to feel so known. My children love school and can`t wait to go every day. They are thriving. We live in New Canaan where the public schools are excellent. It wasn`t a given we would keep the kids at Country School for elementary and beyond. It would absolutely have to be worth it. Country School has been more than worth it for our family. We feel incredibly lucky to have found our way to this school and to be part of such a warm community. - Posted by Parent - Current Parent |
| 5 NCCS is a wonderful, nurturing school community. Our children have thrived there! - Posted by Parent - le203 |
| 5 My kids love it! I went there when I was young I loved it as well. Teachers are fun and great smart
it helps you learn things fast but they teach you step by step the food at the cafeteria is freehand delicious there is a Halloween parade in October where all the kids dress up in there costumes and march in a parade around the whole campus . Theres Ice skating in the winter because there is a ice skating rink right across the street and after hot chocolate and donuts best school ever more fun stuff lots of sports fun LOVE IT YO YO MAN - Posted by Parent - asimm |
| 5 NCCS is a great school for all ages. My sibling have all gone their and so have I. My kids currently go there also. - Posted by Parent - klmsp |
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