Rockland Country Day School
Encyclopedia
Rockland Country Day School is a private coed college-preparatory school that serves students in Pre-K through 12th grade. It is located in Congers
, New York and was founded in 1959 as an alternative to public education in Rockland County. The school's stated mission is to "[bring] forth the best in every student by knowing and educating each of them as an individual." In 2009 the school celebrated its 50th anniversary.
of Columbia University
. Originally located in South Nyack, New York, the school moved to its current campus when it outgrew its original location.
Another distinctive feature of the Rockland Country Day School is its Organic Garden. Led by the organic gardener, visionary beekeeper, and former professional photographer Ron Breland, students continue to build, tend to, and learn about sustainable methods of agriculture and apiculture.
Congers, New York
Congers is a hamlet , in the Town of Clarkstown Rockland County, New York, United States located north of Valley Cottage; east of New City, across Lake DeForest, south of Haverstraw and west of the Hudson River. It lies 19 miles north of New York City's Bronx boundary...
, New York and was founded in 1959 as an alternative to public education in Rockland County. The school's stated mission is to "[bring] forth the best in every student by knowing and educating each of them as an individual." In 2009 the school celebrated its 50th anniversary.
History
The Rockland Country Day School was established in 1959 by a group of local community leaders, led by Prof. Charles FrankelCharles Frankel
Charles Frankel was an American philosopher.Born in to a Jewish family in New York City, he was the son of Abraham Philip and Estelle Edith Frankel. He married Helen Beatrice Lehman on August 17, 1941. Together they had two children, Susan and Carl.Frankel was educated at Columbia, Charles...
of Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
. Originally located in South Nyack, New York, the school moved to its current campus when it outgrew its original location.
Curriculum
The Rockland Country Day School has a roughly 8-to-1 student to teacher ratio, and maintains a small to medium class size. The school offers a variety of courses, including, but not limited to, Algebra, Geometry, Calculus, English, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, American History, European History, Psychology, Music and Art. The school has a strong foreign language department as well, with courses in French, Spanish, and in some grades, Latin. In addition, AP versions of many courses are available.Unique features
Probably the most unique feature of the Rockland Country Day School is that since the fall of 2009, the school offers an extraordinarily open and flexible option of Independent Study. With students' time scheduled as an elective, they execute projects of their own conception, and under their own management, pursuing their individual passions and curiosities. The school's Department of Independent Studies provides resources such as advising/mentoring, tutorials, organized group discussion sessions, and software and physical tools. Evaluation of independent study projects is carried out once per semester by a distinctive committee system, with committee members chosen jointly by students and faculty.Another distinctive feature of the Rockland Country Day School is its Organic Garden. Led by the organic gardener, visionary beekeeper, and former professional photographer Ron Breland, students continue to build, tend to, and learn about sustainable methods of agriculture and apiculture.
Notable alumni
- Sebastian StanSebastian StanSebastian Stan is a Romanian-born American actor. He is best known for playing Prince Jack Benjamin on the television drama Kings and Carter Baizen on Gossip Girl.-Early life:...
, actor - Adam GussowAdam GussowAdam Gussow is a scholar, memoirist, and blues harmonica player.Gussow is currently an associate professor of English and Southern Studies at the University of Mississippi in Oxford...
, blues harmonica player - Lea MicheleLea MicheleLea Michele Sarfati , known professionally as Lea Michele, is an American actress and singer. Michele began working professionally as a child actress on Broadway in productions such as Ragtime and Les Misérables. She originated the role of Wendla in the musical Spring Awakening and currently plays...
, singer/actress - Han-na ChangHan-na ChangHan-Na Chang is a South Korean cellist and conductor.-Childhood:She was born in Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea to Korean parents. Chang began studying piano at age 3, and began her study in cello three years later at age 6...
, Cellist