Providence Country Day School

The Providence Country Day School (often abbreviated to the initials PCD) is a co-educational independent school founded in 1923. Located in East Providence, Rhode Island, United States, it serves 375 students in grades PreK through 12. The school has no religious affiliation and has been co-ed since 1991.[1] It has maintained accreditation by the New England Association of Schools and Colleagues (NEASC) since 1952.

Providence Country Day School
Location
Map
East Providence
,
Rhode Island

United States
Coordinates41°49′01″N 71°21′10″W / 41.8168532°N 71.35275°W / 41.8168532; -71.35275
Information
TypePrivate, coeducational, college preparatory
MottoPlay the Game
Established1923
Head of SchoolKevin Folan
Faculty50
GradesPreK-12
GenderCo-Ed
Enrollment375
Average class size12
Student to teacher ratio1:12
Color(s)Red and Black
Athletics conferenceNEPSAC, RIIL
MascotKnight
Websitehttp://www.providencecountryday.org/

Administration

edit
  • Head of School - Kevin Folan
  • Associate Head of School - Mark McLaughlin

History

edit

In 1923, a group of business leaders, educators, and parents established Providence Country Day on the Sweetland Farm in East Providence. Their goal was to create a college-preparatory school in a rural setting, that would provide both the advantages of a boarding school campus and the additional benefits of a day school. Initially an all-boys middle and high school, the school admitted its first female students in 1991.[2]

In 1997, the school completed an extensive campus consolidation and building project, renovating and moving two historic buildings, Metcalf and Chace Halls, to the east side of campus. At that time, Murray House also opened as the new administration building, and the Moran Annex was added to the West Field House, expanding the school’s athletic facilities.[3]

The school made national news[4] in October 2020 with its release of a bold new initiative: "The Quest."[5] This comprehensive plan included a dramatic tuition reset of 36% to make the cost of quality education more accessible, as well as a new partnership with Hudson Global Scholars to offer Providence Country Day Global Campus, allowing students unable to attend PCD in person to benefit from the challenging curriculum and college preparatory courses.[6]

On March 9, 2021, a partnership was announced between PCD and the Henry Barnard School (HBS), a historic elementary school founded in 1898. HBS had been facing closure at the end of the 2020-2021 academic year before a group of dedicated alumni and parents announced plans to re-open as a newly independent school. Beginning in the 2021-2022 academic year, PCD assumed financial responsibility and leadership for the elementary school, offering continuity for the historic school and its teachers and students. HBS and PCD operated for two school years as one school community with two campuses, with PCD Head of School Kevin Folan serving as Head of School for both campuses.[7]

On March 8, 2023, almost exactly 2 years from the initial announcement that HBS would join PCD, the school announced a multi-million dollar renovation to consolidate onto the East Providence campus for the 2023-2024 school year.[8]

Metcalf Hall has been renovated over Summer 2023 to create brand-new classroom space for middle school upstairs and to adapt the classrooms on the first floor for elementary school, with new furniture and a new state-of-the-art playground space.[9]

The school celebrates 100 years in 2023, with a culminating Centennial Gala planned for June 2024.[10]

Teams

edit

PCD participates in athletic contests under the jurisdiction of the Rhode Island Interscholastic League (RIIL). PCD is proud to be a Safe Sports School.[11] There are 17 different sports played at PCD at the Middle School, Junior Varsity, and Varsity levels of competition. Athletic teams compete in either the Rhode Island Interscholastic League or the SENE division of the New England Preparatory School Athletic Conference, and each year at least 30% of the teams compete in league championships. In the fall PCD offers Cross Country, Soccer, Football, Volleyball (girls), Fencing, and Tennis (girls). Winter sports include Basketball, Gymnastics, Indoor Track & Field, Swimming, and Wrestling. In the spring PCD competes in Baseball, Golf, Lacrosse, Track & Field, and Tennis (boys). The school's commitment to the participation in all areas of school life requires that students are members of at least two sports teams each year.

Notable alumni

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "PCD at a Glance - Providence Country Day School". www.providencecountryday.org. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  2. ^ "Providence Country Day School History | Since 1923". www.providencecountryday.org. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  3. ^ "Providence Country Day School History | Since 1923". www.providencecountryday.org. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  4. ^ "Rhode Island Prep School Announces Tuition Cut of More Than 35%". www.businesswire.com. 2020-10-01. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
  5. ^ "The PCD Quest Providence Country Day School". www.providencecountryday.org. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
  6. ^ "Providence Country Day Global Campus | International High School Program". PCD Global Campus. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
  7. ^ Borg, Linda. "Henry Barnard School to merge with Providence Country Day School but retain its own identity". The Providence Journal. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  8. ^ NEWS, LIZ BATESON, NBC 10 (2023-03-09). "Henry Barnard School moving to Providence Country Day's campus". WJAR. Retrieved 2023-07-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  9. ^ "Henry Barnard is moving to East Providence!". Providence Country Day School. 2023-03-08. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
  10. ^ "Centennial Celebrations Providence Country Day School". www.providencecountryday.org. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
  11. ^ "Athletics Program Providence Country Day School". www.providencecountryday.org. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
edit