Almaden Country Day School

Childhood

Childhood is precious and deserves to be given time. We believe that each child is unique, with their own strengths and challenges. We meet children where they are and help them grow, explore, and develop their innate talents. We cultivate children’s curiosity, confidence, and resilience. In turn, they are supported to develop their sense of personal value and independence.

Learning

Children learn best in a high-opportunity, low-stress environment. Our students are eager and curious; we encourage them to question and to listen to varied perspectives. We teach them how to think, rather than what to think, and provide intellectual rigor in an emotionally safe environment. In this way, our students learn to value personal responsibility, integrity, citizenship, and an appreciation for diversity. ACDS educators enjoy learning and model for our students what it is to be lifelong learners in the classrooms and beyond.

Belonging

When children have a sense of belonging, they thrive. We nurture an inclusive learning environment that enables every child to simultaneously feel part of the community and recognized as a unique individual. In bringing their authentic selves to school, our students contribute to shaping the robust culture of ACDS, and to the strong sense of community that we value here.

Balance

A healthy balance of intellectual rigor, character development, and joy in learning is vital to our students’ experience at ACDS. We foster well-roundedness through an array of enrichment and elective classes, field trips, experiential- and hands-on investigations, athletics, and performing arts, all infused with social and emotional learning. This balance enables our students to flourish throughout their lives.