World School

4th-8th Grade

Country Day World School is committed to preparing young people for a lifetime of discovery and learning. The World School program, with best in class curriculum, is a unique program for a limited number of qualified students. It is designed to socially and intellectually prepare students for high school and college. A rigorous educational program promotes academic excellence and teaches students to think and learn both independently and cooperatively. The curriculum is demanding, but flexible enough to accommodate individual learning styles and interests. Teachers in our learning community are innovative and creative, inside and outside the classroom, and students are encouraged to strive to reach their full potential in all that they do. Offering a small liberal-arts college atmosphere, students are respected as important participants by the faculty as they research issues, debate ideas, and present their work.

Make “Room” for Learning

There is a growing need for students of today to be effective collaborators in the process of learning. As the world evolves more as a global society, students will need to be adept at collaborating with peers on, around, and in the development of content. Learning spaces need to encourage opportunities for collaboration with peers, both within the classroom and globally, in digital platforms. Collaborative projects allow for creation, innovation, and problem solving within learning teams. Learning spaces should be places of self-directed and personalized learning allowing for students to move freely around the environment.

Collaborative Learning Spaces

Our World School learning spaces are designed to be open and inviting for learning to take place anywhere in the school. Rooms are of different sizes and purposes, and students work in particular spaces according to the work they are doing. Whether in a small group, studying alone, or in a group lecture, students are able to move throughout the school during the day and work in the space that serves the work they are doing. Collaboration Stations and Mediascapes allow for integration of technology into furniture for ease of use. During class times, our students are able to participate in online synchronous and asynchronous dialogue and project-based learning with students from around the world.

Technology

The technological tools of today have transformed the learning experience and expanded the scope of knowledge in education. Students of the digital age use technology in almost every aspect of their lives. Focus on informational technology has led to the enhancement of the learning space to transform learning. Technology is readily available as a tool to learning in virtually every aspect of our World School curriculum. Students discover new learning through use of iPads, laptops, Apple TV technology, digital video recording, digital photography, QR codes, and augmented reality applications.

Program Highlights

• Biology/ Chemistry: state-of-the-art research labs
• Marine Science Programs: student managed 500-gallon shark, stingray, and crustacean interactive touch tanks, and reverse osmosis water purification system
• STEM: best in technology, engineering, programming, VEX robotics, and 1:1 iPad program
• Gifted: rigorous preparatory Math and English curricula leading to the most advanced high school tracks
• Performing Arts: Florida’s first elementary and middle school “black-box” performing arts theatre and green screen digital screen recording studio
• World Languages: Spanish, Chinese, Latin etymology, and individual learning opportunities in other world languages; Country Day School students are known to be the only 9th graders starting at Spanish III Honors
• International Programs: global humanities study, including student delegations traveling to China, Russia, Spain, and Costa Rica to collaborate with partner schools and participate in the International Middle School Model UN (New York City)
• Equestrian Program: beginner and competitive riding, along with a working animal farm for student learning and animal science studies
• Environmental Science: a student managed self-sustaining agroponics farm