Students and teachers serve as role models...
We are very satisfied with our daughter's educational experience at FRCDS. The curriculum and emphasis on Character Building Qualities has prepared her for the challenges of high school both academically and socially. She has learned leadership skills, how to get along with others, to respect herself,her teachers and peers and has developed an excellent work ethic with the confidence needed to be independent. Each teacher has influenced her in different and positive ways and we truly believe they all care deeply about the students. The quality of instruction has been exceptional and we really appreciate having a mix of older and younger teachers as they are wonderful role models. FRCDS is really like an extended family with the older students helping the younger children to learn and respect one another. The kids look up to and respect the teachers and are provided a vision of the character and qualities they themselves will emulate as young adults. FRCDS provides a wholesome and safe atmosphere where attention to learning is unhindered by influences that can so easily get in the way of a good education and the campus is absolutely beautiful.
Parents of 8th grade student
Letting kids be kids.
We love FRCDS for many reasons. The first reason is that it allowed Nora to remain a child longer than is usual in our culture. Children are pushed to grow up too early in life. David Elkind talks about this in his book The Hurried Child: Growing Up Too Fast Too Soon. In third grade at FRCDS, Nora said, "Mom, we aren't those mature kind of third graders. We're those happy, wonky, running, laughing kind of third graders." Nora was still outside at recess running around pretending she was a wolf and building fairy houses out of acorns and sticks with her friends when she was in 4th grade. While she was challenged academically and held to a high standard of character, she was also allowed to play, have fun, to use her imagination and creativity. My husband and I spent many hours playing outside when we were growing up. Unfortunately, we don't live in a place where that is possible for Nora. So we really have appreciated the natural environment of the school and the opportunity for Nora to experience the joy of exploring and playing in the natural world of the oak trees, rocks, water, animals and birds. We are grateful Nora did not grow up "nature deprived" and also that environmental education was a part of the curriculum. She used to tell people, "I go to school in a forest."
Nora is gifted in some areas more than others. It's been great to have small enough class sizes that the curriculum could be adjusted for her academic needs, whether that was more challenging reading or extra help in math. In a day when arts programs are being cut in many schools, we are so grateful for the wonderful fine arts instruction at FRCDS. I can't say enough good things about the music and drama program. The spring production is a true community effort that involves the whole school. This is a place where each child has an opportunity to learn and to shine. It has made all the difference to our middle school daughter.
Parents of 8th grade student
Great values, inside and out.
We love the campus setting and the emphasis on outside play. We identify strongly with the homelike atmosphere of the classrooms. The environment of the school, both outside and inside was equally important to us as with the CBQ's [Character Building Qualities], which closely resemble the values we were already instilling in our children.
Family of preschool student
Educating the "whole child".
So many schools focus solely on academics. When we read "whole child" in FRCDS's literature, we knew we were on the right track. Additionally, we value the small class sizes, the beautiful campus, the environmental education program, and year-round swimming lessons.
Family of kindergarten student
Academic advantage.
Our child attends FRCDS because of the wonderful, professional staff, a complete curriculum, the availability of an expanded classroom every day, and the fact that the school offers the greatest value anyone could imagine!
Family of 3rd grade student
Individual attention.
We stay at FRCDS because of the excellent education that our daughter is receiving. She thrives in the smaller classroom environment. We love that she has opportunities to participate in music, drama and sports. The campus is more than any parent or student could ask for - just wonderful. We are very pleased with her teacher as well.
Family of 4th grade student
A learning community.
Where do I begin...The amazing dedicated staff and teachers, the awesome students, the incredible campus and programs, and the community of parents...I love it all!!
Family of 1st grade student
Best of both worlds.
We started off just looking for a full-day kindergarten, but soon realized that FRCDS had so much more to offer. We were most impressed with the focus on the "whole child". We were looking for academic excellence but also for character building, and FRCDS seemed to have the best of both worlds. The beauty of the campus was also a great sell, as well as knowing that our children would have an on-site "laboratory" to study nature-this was an added bonus.
Family of 2nd grade student
Endless opportunities.
Our son does well in the smaller classroom environment. We love the diversity of the students in the school. Our son has had opportunities to be a leader in his classroom as well as the sports field. We appreciate the lessons learned through the environmental education program.
Parents of 5th grade student
An environment that allows personal growth.
FRCDS is an amazing place. My son has grown in every way - academically, emotionally, physically and spiritually. I think the most important aspect of the school is its very strong unified foundation of teachers, administrators, house parents, volunteers, parents, students, and all of the staff. There is a unity among the entire staff and students at FRCDS that I have never seen at another school. It is a calm and relaxing place that encourages personal growth among all students, which enables the students to grow in every other way. There is respect, tolerance, kindness, thoughtfulness and honesty in regards to all aspects of the school. The students are treated as human beings first. That is rare in today's educational system. The children are not lumped into groups to be categorized and then written off as unteachable. Students are encouraged to do their best, and the staff finds what is good in each and every student.
Family of 7th grade student
An atmosphere that challenges and encourages.
There is a genuine spirit of cooperation and good will at the school that carries over in the children's interactions with each other, the faculty, and in our home life. Academically, the children are challenged to exceed their own previous effort rather than compete with each other.
Family of 7th grade student
A home away from home.
We strongly agree with Fox River Country Day School's belief that a school can and should address the education of the whole child, and we were pleased to find that the character building qualities stressed in your curriculum echo what we are trying to instill at home. Furthermore, on visits to the campus, we have been impressed by the friendly, joyful attitude expressed by students, faculty, and staff.
Family of new student applicant
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