Researched and downloaded from official Seattle Country Day School sources on 2026-08-22.
Educational model
Seattle Country Day School (SCDS) is a private K–8 school for gifted learners. Its central method is guided inquiry: teachers use open-ended questions, hands-on exploration and interdisciplinary projects to develop conceptual understanding and divergent thinking. The school emphasizes enrichment and depth over moving students rapidly through higher grade-level content.
Lower School students receive reading, writing, math, social studies and science through the homeroom program, with additional math and science specialist support. Other specialists teach art, music, technology, PE, health, Spanish, Mandarin and library/information skills.
Progress reporting
- SCDS does not calculate letter or numerical grades for report cards.
- Reports are narrative documents with checklists covering skills, understandings and learning habits.
- Teachers assess instruction throughout the year and use co-teaching, associate teachers and specialists to differentiate and provide support.
- ERB testing is publicly scheduled for grades 2–5, but is not a kindergarten assessment.
Ask for a blank kindergarten narrative report, the reporting calendar, and examples of how progress is communicated between formal reports.
Admissions for 2027–28
- Kindergarten applicants must be five before August 1 of the entry year.
- Application deadline: January 14, 2027.
- Requirements include a Wechsler cognitive assessment, parent tour/open house, online application, virtual family meeting, teacher evaluation, $70 application fee and student visit.
- Qualified applicants typically score within the top 3% on the WPPSI-IV/WISC-V full-scale score or GAI, but the full file and student visit are considered.
- Do not prepare a prospective student for the cognitive assessment; exposed test material can invalidate results.
- The school recommends waiting until at least age 4½ to test. Results are valid for two years.
Cost and logistics
- 2026–27 K–3 tuition: $41,756.
- Fees are additional; lunch is $8.75/day and Extended Day is $12/hour.
- Approximately 12% of students receive financial aid.
- Eastside bus service may operate along the I-90 and SR-520 corridors if interest is sufficient; published approximate cost is $1,900 one-way or $3,800 round-trip annually.
- Extended Day operates until 6:00 p.m.
Downloaded files
- Academics overview
- Lower School overview
- 2027–28 admissions process snapshot
- Cognitive-testing information snapshot
- Lower School curriculum map, 2017–18 — useful detail, but substantially dated; verify all content with the current school.
Live sources
- Academics
- Lower School
- Learning support
- Admissions process
- Testing
- Tuition and financial aid
- Transportation
Change log
- 2026-08-22: Initial curriculum and admissions archive created.