Jacksonville Country Day School

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About arrow
- Who We Are
- Portrait of a Graduate
- Head of School Message
- Faculty and Staff arrow
  - Administration and Staff
  - Early Learning
  - Grades 1-3
  - Grades 4-5
  - Specialists
- Board of Trustees
- Strategic Plan 2024-2027
- Contact and Directions
- Careers
Admissions arrow
- Your Journey Begins
- Tuition & Affordability
- Admissions Process
- Admissions Events
- Mini-Moments
- Kindergarten Sneak Peek
- Inquire Now
- Testimonials
- Moving to Jacksonville
- Start Your Application Here
Academics arrow
- Overview
- Grades arrow
  - Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4
  - Kindergarten
  - Grades 1-2
  - Grades 3-5
- Technology
- Resource Specialists
- Academic Support
- Summer Learning
Student Life arrow
- A Shark's Life
- After-School Enrichment
- Extended Care
- Lunch Program
- Summer Camp
Community arrow
- Happenings
- Parents' Association
- PA Board Members
- Volunteering
- Calendar
Support Us arrow
- Give Now
- Ways to Give
- Business Council
- JCDS Fund
- Alumni
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mySharkHub

About
- Who We Are
- Portrait of a Graduate
- Head of School Message
- Faculty and Staff
  - Administration and Staff
  - Early Learning
  - Grades 1-3
  - Grades 4-5
  - Specialists
- Board of Trustees
- Strategic Plan 2024-2027
- Contact and Directions
- Careers
Admissions
- Your Journey Begins
- Tuition & Affordability
- Admissions Process
- Admissions Events
- Mini-Moments
- Kindergarten Sneak Peek
- Inquire Now
- Testimonials
- Moving to Jacksonville
- Start Your Application Here
Academics
- Overview
- Grades
  - Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4
  - Kindergarten
  - Grades 1-2
  - Grades 3-5
- Technology
- Resource Specialists
- Academic Support
- Summer Learning
Student Life
- A Shark's Life
- After-School Enrichment
- Extended Care
- Lunch Program
- Summer Camp
Community
- Happenings
- Parents' Association
- PA Board Members
- Volunteering
- Calendar
Support Us
- Give Now
- Ways to Give
- Business Council
- JCDS Fund
- Alumni

Discover JCDS
Facts & Figures
School News
Our Graduates
Inquire Now

Jacksonville Country Day School is the premier choice in elementary education in Northeast Florida.
At JCDS we educate the mind, the body, and the heart.
We know that children need to create and express themselves.
JCDS students are surrounded by knowledgeable and caring adults.
JCDS provides enriching and engaging experiences for the students.

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Request a Tour

Start Your Application

Discover JCDS

In your journey to find the best private school in Jacksonville, we are honored that you are considering Jacksonville Country Day School.Our 65-year history of excellence makes JCDS the premier choice in elementary education in Northeast Florida. Our academic program, spacious facilities, character education, robust after-school enrichment, and a dedicated faculty are all well-known for their exceptional caliber.

Our teachers and staff at JCDS are experts in elementary education, focusing exclusively on young learners from Pre-K 3 through 5th grade. At JCDS, we lay the foundation for the future, equipping each student for lifelong learning, good character, and social responsibility.We are deeply committed to nurturing every aspect of a child. Our faculty are driven to provide an environment where children develop their love of learning—enabling them to thrive academically, physically, and emotionally.Through a purposeful partnership with our families, we cultivate confident graduates who are strong in character and academics, who can communicate effectively, lead by example, and demonstrate respect and compassion for others.

At JCDS, learning is an epic adventure. Our students experiment, innovate, and grow through every experience—all within a safe, nurturing environment. Childhood is the foundation of a lifetime—every moment matters. Explore how our programs inspire creativity and confidence.

In JCDS’s early-learning program, children learn through play, exploration, and risk-taking in a multisensory environment. Moving, creating, collaborating, and learning from mistakes foster their social-emotional growth and spark the curiosity they need for a lifetime of learning. Our teachers are adept at presenting developmentally appropriate lessons in the classroom and outdoors to encourage exploration and experimentation.Discover how we nurture every child’s potential in early learning.

At JCDS, our caring educators surround students with love and support, fostering growth and success. Our research-driven instruction tailors engaging experiences to every learner’s needs, ensuring that all thrive. With an average of 15 years in the field, teachers are masters at delivering robust educational opportunities for their students.In a recent survey conducted by Independent School Management Consultants, our faculty was rated "world-class."Discover how we inspire academic and personal excellence.

JCDS’s challenging curriculum empowers students to reach their full potential. Our character education, including the 7 Mindsets, virtues of the month, and service learning, fosters positive relationships. Spanish, physical education, and fine arts ensure well-rounded growth. See our vibrant community in action—schedule a tour today.

At JCDS, learning continues beyond the classroom. With 92% of students joining our after-school enrichment, they explore fine arts, sports, problem-solving, and academics. Led by faculty with specialized knowledge as well as local experts, these programs extend our mission. The after-school enrichment program at JCDS is the most comprehensive of any elementary school in Northeast Florida. Visit our Enrichment page to learn more.

Facts and Figures

List of 8 items.

100%
STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN SERVICE LEARNING
19
Acres of beautiful wooded land
55%
Diversity Rate
92%
Students in After-School Enrichment
5
Days a Week of Both PE and Recess
15
Average Years of Experience for Full-Time Teachers
16k+
Books in the library
420+
Happy Students at JCDS

School News

Detectives Investigate Main Ideas5th-graders look for suspects and evidenceThe fifth-graders in Melissa Lamph's reading class have been honing their skills this year in identifying and analyzing nonfiction text features. They've explored how elements like headings, captions, diagrams, maps, glossaries, and bolded words enhance comprehension and serve as evidence to support understanding. "Trying to find text features can be overwhelming if it is a new concept," said Ms. Lamph. "I love a play on words, so when I realized the curriculum guided us to read to investigate text features, I thought of how cool it would be to become detectives!" Ms. Lamph promoted her students to the rank of Detective, equipping them with ID badges, hats, and magnifying glasses for the full effect. Ms. Lamph excels at crafting memorable, creative lessons—but she was surprised by the enthusiastic response. "Sometimes I think because they are in their last year of elementary school and heading into middle school, they might feel too old to do these things," Ms. Lamph observed. "Little do I realize, creativity and imagination is continually present in all of us, no matter our age." These imaginative activities proved to be powerful motivators, inspiring students to engage more deeply. "These kids blew me away. I really was not sure how they would play into their roles," said Ms. Lamph. "They wanted to put on those hats, they wanted to cheer each other on by just putting on a badge since they're all a team, and they wanted to show their best selves within this lesson, which they did."

Chorus and Band Celebrate the Season
2/17/2026 Winter Concert was lively and entertaining
Fifth-graders Love the Sea Turtles
2/17/2026 Field trip to Georgia Sea Turtle Center was fun and instructive
Learning About Light...in the Dark!
2/6/2026 First-graders explore shadows and shapes
We Love Our Buddies!
2/6/2026 The buddies program is alive and well at JCDS
Colorful Science in Pre-K 4
1/9/2026 Learning to do things the old way
Tiny Moments Become Published Masterpieces
12/12/2025 Second-graders write and GLOW
Second-graders Made Us Squirm!
12/5/2025 The first grade-level show of the school year
Learning About the Moon Festival
11/21/2025 Sharing other cultural traditions
Make Your Mark, Right on the Dot
11/4/2025 Fourth-graders celebrate Dot Day.

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Our Graduates

One hundred percent of 5th grade graduates from JCDS get their choice of local private middle schools. Our Portrait of a Graduate captures the school’s core beliefs and how those are reflected in each of our students and graduates. We focus on the qualities that make our students uniquely prepared for middle school and beyond. It is this portrait that brings our mission to life and affirms the choice families make to send their children to Jacksonville Country Day School.

Visit Us

Jacksonville Country Day School is an independent and multicultural school dedicated to motivating and guiding students towards fully achieving their unique potential.

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Request a Tour

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