Accreditation

Fort Worth Country Day is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest, (ISAS). ISAS, a member of the International Council Advancing Independent School Accreditation (ICAISA), has voluntarily submitted to a rigorous and impartial review of its accreditation program and demonstrated its adherence to the Council’s Criteria for Effective Independent School Accreditation Practices. ISAS is commended by ICAISA for the quality of the Association’s accreditation program for its Member Schools.

	Tuition	Meal Plan	Activity Fee
Junior Kindergarten Extended Day (8 a.m. - 3 p.m.) Junior Kindergarten Full Day (8 a.m. - 1 p.m.) Kindergarten Lower School 1-4   Middle School 5-8 Upper School 9-12	$13,050 $10,330 $21,910 $23,120 $24,780 $26,130	$575 ($3.32/meal) $575 ($3.32/meal) $750 ($4.33/meal) $850 ($4.91/meal) $975 ($5.63/meal) $1025 ($5.92/meal)	$475 $475 $475 $475 $475 See estimated expenses

Activity Fee:

• For Junior Kindergarten and Lower School, the activity fee covers all books, school trips, the yearbook and supplies.
• The activity fee for Middle School includes all of the class trips that are unique to the Middle School program as well as the yearbook. The activity fee in Middle School will not eliminate bills for certain elective items and it does not include the cost of books and supplies. 
• Currently, there is no activity fee in the Upper School.

Estimates:

Additional optional charges depend on the degree to which the student is involved in sports, arts and academic activities offered at FWCD. Some examples: athletic teams in grades 7-12 require the purchase of appropriate sports equipment and shoes; ballet students purchase annual recital costumes; musical instruments can be rented through FWCD for $250 per year. Seniors have additional charges for SAT and Advanced Placement tests, as well as for graduation.

Need-based financial aid enhances the student body of Fort Worth Country Day. The School attracts and retains deserving and talented children whose families qualify for such assistance. The admission decision is based solely on each student’s academic and personal qualities—independent of the family’s ability to meet the cost of an FWCD education. Thus, admission to FWCD and the awarding of financial aid are two separate decisions.

Financial aid is awarded annually and granted on the basis of demonstrated financial need (determined by submitting a Parents’ Financial Statement, current IRS tax return and W2 forms), satisfactory performance and the School’s availability of funds. For the
2019-20 academic year, $3.4 million was awarded in financial aid. This translates to one in every four students or 23 percent of the FWCD student body.

Fort Worth Country Day currently offers 21 Advanced Placement (AP) courses. In 2019, 185 students took 524 exams. 

• One hundred one seniors submitted 671 applications and were admitted to 154 colleges and universities.
• They attend 52 different institutions throughout the United States.
• Eleven students were recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation and National Hispanic Recognition Program.
• The class was awarded more than $11.6 million in merit-based scholarships and awards. Fifty-five percent of the members of the Class of 2019 attend colleges and universities located across the nation. Forty-five percent of the class attend Texas colleges and universities.

 

Athletics

FWCD’s athletic tradition is renowned. Dynamic Physical Education, which includes lessons focused on fitness development, coordination, body management and game playing, starts immediately in junior kindergarten and in Lower School. In Middle School, students pursue a sampling of athletic endeavors in a physical education developmental program that introduces them to the sports offered in the FWCD athletic program, and competitive, interscholastic sports begin in seventh grade. Upper School students may be involved in 24 varsity sports and 21 junior varsity sports. Athletics not only promotes healthy bodies, it teaches perseverance, sacrifice, discipline, sportsmanship and teamwork—valuable tools to take into adulthood.

FWCD varsity sports include baseball, basketball (boys/girls),  cheerleading, cross country (boys/girls), field hockey, football, golf (boys/girls), lacrosse (boys only), soccer (boys/girls), softball, swimming (boys/girls), tennis (boys/girls), track and field (boys/girls), volleyball (boys/girls) and wrestling. There are three sports seasons: fall, winter and spring. Fourth grade, Middle School and Upper School students may also participate in ballet to fulfill their athletics requirement.

Varsity teams compete in the Southwest Preparatory Conference, which comprises 17 schools, 16 from Texas and one from Oklahoma.

Lower School students begin their musical journey building foundational skills through vocal and rhythmic development, creative expression and movement, instrumental ensemble work, and performances to foster a love of music to last a lifetime. Falcon Flyers, the Lower School choir, offers students opportunities to further expand musicianship and performance skills. Students may also opt to participate in the Conservatory at Fort Worth Country Day program after school.

Middle School offers a show choir option, which adds the element of dance. Students may continue to pursue choir, including solo and ensemble opportunities, through Upper School. Band, drumline and strings is available to students in grades 5-12, where students perform an exciting and challenging repertoire at various events, including football games, pep rallies, concerts and festivals.

Theatre classes begin in fifth grade. Students explore movement and vocal technique, as well as play creative dramatic games throughout Middle School. In eighth grade, students participate in a full production. Upper School students can choose courses in Acting, Musical Theatre or Playwriting. All theatre students write plays that are submitted for competition. Students interested in working backstage or learning lighting
and sound can enroll in Technical Theatre.

The School’s celebrated ballet program, which counts as an athletic credit in place of PE or organized athletics, begins in fourth grade, culminating senior year. Dance students learn classical ballet and jazz technique and have the opportunity to perform in full-length
ballets and student choreography.

More than 150 Upper School students in visual and performing arts participate each year in the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest Arts Festival, a three-day festival with 50 other peer schools, presenting students with an opportunity to showcase their work, attend workshops and receive critique from professionals in their field.

SOAR Extended Care and Enrichment

SOAR (Scholastic Opportunities, Arts and Recreation) at Fort Worth Country Day offers students a series of engaging and unique programs outside of the traditional school-day schedule. On school days from 3:10 to 6 p.m., students in SOAR have the opportunity to spark new interests, build upon their existing passions and develop new peer relationships all without having to leave the FWCD campus. Available to students in junior kindergarten through grade 6, SOAR is led by a team of FWCD faculty and staff, accomplished educators and experienced childcare professionals.

SOAR Extended Care provides participants with an opportunity to engage in supervised study, recreational, and arts and crafts activities at the conclusion of the regular school day. SOAR Enrichment Programs provide students with specialized instruction and further

exploration into and beyond the curriculum. Enrichment programs are updated each semester and include performing arts, sciences, languages, sports, visual arts, STEM and STEAM sessions.

Summer Camps at FWCD

Fort Worth Country Day hosts a variety of summer camp programs each year that serve as catalysts for generating new skills, friendships and memories. Fort Wonder Summer Camps provide participants with exciting theme-based learning opportunities and activities in an unforgettable environment. Falcon Sports Camps give students an opportunity to explore new athletic endeavors or to further develop their skillsets in their favorite sports. In addition to Fort Wonder Summer Camps and Falcon Sports Camps, FWCD offers summer academic preparation/refresher courses, giving students a fun jumpstart on the year ahead.

Creating lifelong readers while preparing students for college-level research is the goal of the FWCD Library Program. A personal Librarian with an advanced degree in library science serves each division. A full-time Library Assistant supports the librarian team. Their backgrounds in education and library services at the K-12 level provide students with a rich resource. FWCD maintains two libraries that offer more than 35,000 print books as well as a collection of ebooks, audiobooks and research databases suitable
for all ages.

FWCD’s technology is fully integrated into the curriculum at FWCD. Students utilize modern tools to enhance the academic program. A dedicated group of technology professionals provide support and services to the entire Fort Worth Country Day community.

In Lower School, iPads and interactive whiteboard technology are a part of every teacher’s classroom. There is also a full iPad lab, and the library features laptops for student use. Lower School teachers use technology to enhance the educational experiences of students, integrating technical tools into their lessons in appropriate and meaningful ways.

In Middle School, all students purchase an iPad as a school supply and bring it to school every day. The iPad Coordinator supports teachers and students, guiding and facilitating the use of the iPads, which allows  students to grow and experiment using technology in the classroom. There is also a dedicated computer lab in the Middle School, and all
teachers have interactive whiteboard technology in their classrooms. 

In Upper School, students bring their own laptop to school each day. Laptop computers are used as an extension of the academic program. Research, writing, design, collaboration and communication are hallmarks of the Fort Worth Country Day technology programs.

FWCD supports a fully wireless campus with broad, public Wi-Fi access across all buildings and fields. Internet connectivity is supplied through a 1GB circuit and supports more than 700 desktop and laptop computers. Teachers have access to many educational software titles, as well as Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite and many more.

A Faculty Initiative in Technology program allows teachers to continually develop new teaching strategies involving technology integration. A distance-learning lab allows students and teachers to engage in selected courses offered by the Malone Schools Online Network and to collaborate with worldwide peers.

The TEAM Room (Technology Engineering Art Maker) is a dedicated makerspace available to teachers in every grade for classroom activities and projects.

The School’s website, fwcd.org, serves as a public viewbook. There is also a private login section of the website that serves as a portal for all FWCD communication. Parents, students, alumni and faculty/staff can access teacher and athletic web pages, report cards, assignments, schedules, and directory and calendar information—all online. Electronic newsletters, as well as social media feeds, provide additional ways to keep
up-to-date on all campus activities. An auto-dialer, Connect 5, notifies all families of
emergencies or closings on campus.

FWCD parents are offered a number of ways to become involved in the life of the School. Organizations such as the Parent Faculty Association (PFA), Falcon Club and Supporting CAST (Creative Arts Students and Teachers)
allow parents and grandparents opportunities to give their time and talents in efforts to help fulfill the purpose of the School.

The FWCD Fund, the School's annual fund, provides the School with the flexibility to respond to immediate opportunities to keep FWCD growing and thriving. The tradition of giving at FWCD has always been important and demonstrates the loyalty, commitment and spirit of the Fort Worth Country Day community. Parents, grandparents, alumni, faculty/staff and friends are asked to contribute to this fund, which exceeds $1.3 million in income to FWCD each year. This support allows the School to effectively manage the rate of annual tuition increases; design new opportunities and initiatives; and retain and attract remarkable students, distinguished faculty and hard-working staff. 

At more than 4,000 members strong, the FWCD Alumni Association is a vital part of the School. Members often give back to their alma mater by serving in leadership roles, giving to The FWCD Fund (the School’s annual fund), and volunteering on campus and beyond. FWCD alumni remain engaged through gatherings such as Homecoming/Alumni Weekend, Falcons on the Road and various alumni sporting events, and they stay connected through Alumni Relations communications, social media, the Falconer magazine and campus visits.

$385 one way/per year

$15.00 occasional/per ride

Malone School Online Network

Fort Worth Country Day is a founding member of the Malone Schools Online Network (MSON), which provides Upper School students with distance-learning instruction through virtual online classes that enhance FWCD’s curriculum. These courses promote the values of the Malone Family Foundation and are taught by teachers from Malone Schools in the network. The teaching professionals are experts in their fields; many have experience with independent education and share a commitment to excellence, small class sizes and personal relationships.

FWCD students in grades 11 and 12 may apply to take MSON courses, which serve as a high school enrichment elective course and meet twice a week during the regular school day. Each course takes a blended approach, combining synchronous instruction, realtime video conferencing seminars with asynchronous instruction, recorded lectures and exercises that students complete outside of class. The result lies somewhere between a “flipped classroom” and a “virtual Harkness table.” Each course has a minimum of six students and a maximum of 16, allowing for a virtual discussion seminar that is delivered
in high-definition classroom set ups.

In the 2019-20 academic year, 10 FWCD students are enrolled in six of the 33 MSON courses offered. There are 23 schools currently participating in the MSON program.

FWCD Inclusivity Statement

Enhancing diversity has been a consistently identified theme by members of the FWCD community. During the 2016-17 academic year, the Board of Trustees’ goals included being more proactive in promoting diversity/inclusivity. More specifically, the Board decided to set a tone, consistent with the School’s defining statements and core values, through the creation of an affirmative diversity statement. FWCD’s Inclusivity Statement was approved by the Board in January 2017. The statement is as follows:

 

At Fort Worth Country Day, we believe that understanding and respecting differences not only inspires compassion and empathy, but also fosters intellectual curiosity and creativity. We embrace the diverse cultures, experiences and perspectives that comprise and enhance our learning environment. We commit to sustaining and growing an intentionally inclusive community. 

Accreditation

Fort Worth Country Day is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest, (ISAS). ISAS, a member of the International Council Advancing Independent School Accreditation (ICAISA), has voluntarily submitted to a rigorous and impartial review of its accreditation program and demonstrated its adherence to the Council’s Criteria for Effective Independent School Accreditation Practices. ISAS is commended by ICAISA for the quality of the Association’s accreditation program for its Member Schools.