Seattle Country Day School

At Seattle Country Day School, we know gifted children can be intense, verbal, and imaginative.
They can have wildly different interests, from reading, to coding, to art.
And they come from every community, every race, and every social class.
At SCDS, your child will find a warm, welcoming classroom, one based around the concept of inquiry - a method where teachers encourage students to explore, to ask questions, to experiment, and to create.
It`s a method that brings out the best in our students, stokes their passion for learning, and helps them develop critical-thinking skills that last a lifetime.

Quick Stats (2024)

Top Rankings

Seattle Country Day School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Washington for:

Category
Attribute
Sports offered
School History

School Overview

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten-8
Year Founded
1964

Student Body

Total Students
419 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
13%
State avg.: 32%
Students by Grade
Seattle Country Day School Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
73 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
6:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
75%
Average Class Size
16 students
Classroom Dress Code
Casual

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
Jan. 13
Tuition Notes
SCDS tuition for 2021-22 is:Grades K-3: $30,633 Grades 4-5: $33,609 Grades 6-8: $35,840
% on Financial Aid
13%
Admissions Director
Kate Briscoe
Admissions Associate
Matthew Ropp

Sports

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
9 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Beginner and Advanced Computer Programming, Chess Club, Debate, Destination Imagination, Rwanda Club, Sewing Club

Arts and Music Programs:
Art Club, Focus Choir, Music Lessons

School Notes

  • We ask all applicants to take the Wechsler Intelligence Scale test. The Wechsler Intelligence Scale is a test of cognitive ability, and is not achievement-based. Students for whom SCDS is a good fit typically score at or above the 97th percentile in either the Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ) or General Abilities Index (GAI). We do, however, consider scores that fall close to the 97th percentile for students who demonstrate other gifted characteristics.
  • If IQ testing is a financial hardship for your family, please reach out to our Admissions Office at admissions@seattlecountryday.org.
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

What sports does Seattle Country Day School offer?
Seattle Country Day School offers 12 interscholastic sports: Alpine Skiing, Basketball, Cross Country, Martial Arts, Nordic Skiing, Rock Climbing, Snowboarding, Soccer, Tennis, Track and Field, Ultimate Frisbee and Volleyball. Seattle Country Day School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in Washington for most sports offered.
What is Seattle Country Day School's ranking?
Seattle Country Day School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Washington for: Largest student body, Most sports offered and Oldest founding date.
When is the application deadline for Seattle Country Day School?
The application deadline for Seattle Country Day School is Jan. 13.
In what neighborhood is Seattle Country Day School located?
Seattle Country Day School is located in the North Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle, WA.

School Calendar

View the Seattle Country Day School yearly calendar below. Note key dates such as:

Event
Date
Memorial Day (school closed)
May 27, 2024 (Monday)
Last Day of School (early dismissal)
June 07, 2024 (Friday)
Juneteenth (school closed)
June 19, 2024 (Wednesday)
Independence Day (school closed)
July 04, 2024 (Thursday)

School Reviews

  5.00 out of 5  (2 reviews)
5  
I think SCDS is one of 3 schools that requires testing to enter their elementary school. Thus the caliber of students tends to be very good. Some view this school as a link to Lakeside which I don't necessarily agree with. Several students do get into Lakeside and they seem to have a good relationship. However, I think the students that get into Lakeside are just very qualified deserving students. I currently have 2 kids at SCDS. My kids aren't tested academically. They both like the school and make friends easily at this school. I do think many students get some type of extra learning outside of the class. I did this as well with my kids. SCDS's reputation for 4-8th grade is excellent. However, the pressures of getting into a K-12 school have led me to accept the Overlake School offer. After the pandemic private schools became extremely competitive. If it wasn't so competitive I think I would let my daughter finish 8th grade at SCDS. It has excellent middle school teachers. Sports wise my older daughter pretty much competed in all the activities. SCDS is not a sports-driven school. It is supposed to be a gifted school. However, my daughter had fun in soccer, basketball, cross country, and ultimate frisbee. During winter, almost all the students participate in skiing class trips. They go to Snoqualmie in K-3 and Crystal Mountain from 4-8. Would I recommend SCDS? Yes. It's an excellent school. Open Window is patterned after SCDS. Open Window is newer and has a nicer campus. And was closer to us (we live on the Eastside). But we chose SCDS for the extra club and sports activities. However, I think students who live near the school will get a better experience since we had to travel farther for school activities. The 3rd school that does gifted testing is Evergreen School located near Shoreline. All 3 gifted schools have excellent reputations in my humble opinion. The major difference is location.
- Posted by
5  
Amazing school with a truly super head of school. Teachers are caring and dedicated. My child loves to learn and has developed more confidence than ever.
- Posted by

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Quick Stats (2024)

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Seattle, WA is $20,617 for elementary schools and $22,731 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Seattle, WA is 73% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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