Applications for admission and supporting documentation (test/assessment results, recommendations, school transcripts, etc.) are reviewed by the Headmaster, Division Heads, Director of Admission, and selected faculty representatives.

Yes, all prospective parents/guardians are required to tour SCDS as part of the application process. In addition, student applicants for 1st through 8th grades are expected to spend a regular academic day on campus. Tours are conducted on selected Tuesday mornings from 8:15 to 10:15 a.m. Please refer to the Tour and Testing Calendar for dates. You may  call 707-284-3200 to reserve a spot for a tour, or send an email to admission@scds.org.

SCDS is open from 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Classes start at 8:15 a.m. and end at 3:00 p.m. Supervision is available before school in the library from 7:30 to 8:00 a.m. and after school in Extended Programs from 3:15 to 5:30 p.m.

SCDS runs The Neighborhood, a fee-based after-school program for all grades, from 3:15 to 5:30 p.m. The e-lab and study hall are open to first to eighth graders for a modest fee. Enrichment classes and private music lessons are also available for a fee. SCDS offers financial aid for after-school programs. Click Extended Programs or phone 707-284-3252 to learn more.

Yes, SCDS has a uniform dress code to avoid preoccupation with fashion and keep the school day focused on learning.

Class size varies during the day because students break into small groups for specific subjects. Social dynamics are balanced with class sizes appropriate to curricular goals.

Students at SCDS are made aware of community needs and given opportunities to serve through participation in all-school community service days and projects such as food drives. 

There are approximately 2,000 independent schools across the United States providing more than 700,000 students from pre-kindergarten through high school with a unique high quality education. They include coeducational and single-sex institutions, as well as boarding and day schools. Each meets high accreditation standards and is supported by tuition payments, charitable contributions and endowment revenue. For more information click here.

Yes, SCDS has been accredited since 1988 by the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). We are also a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). SCDS is the only NAIS accredited K-8 program in Sonoma County.

Affiliations include the National Association of Independent Schools, California Association of Independent Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, Educational Records Bureau, Elementary School Heads Association, Independent School Management, Johns Hopkins Institute for the Academic Advancement of Youth, School Scholarship Service, and numerous other academic and professional organizations.

SCDS teachers hold masters’ degrees, PhDs and state teaching credentials.

SCDS corrects most misbehavior by calling attention to it and prompting a student to correct it. We have expectations and standards of behavior, but few rules. Very occasionally, a student who consistently fails to respect other people or who endangers others is asked to leave the school.

SCDS teachers have voicemail and e-mail and welcome communication with parents. Parents may log-in to mySCDS.net to see report cards and progress reports. Parent-teacher conferences are held twice a year, and may also be arranged by appointment.

All students have physical education classes at least three times a week. Sixth, seventh and eighth grade students may compete in basketball, volleyball, lacrosse and track against other area schools. Older students also participate in outdoor activities, and rafting and hiking trips. Visit Athletics, Lower School Physical Education, Upper School Physical Education and Enrichment Classes for more information.

SCDS offers a daily hot lunch program utilizing fresh, seasonal ingredients. Menus, which focus on seasonal, fresh ingredients, will include the choice of an entrée and side dish or a deli sandwich and a daily salad bar. Milk or juice is provided with the meal. Parents pay in advance for the entire program and students must be pre-registered in order to receive a meal. There are separate fees for the lunch program and for milk, which is available at lunch. Children may also bring lunch from home.

There are numerous ways to be involved in life at school. Opportunities in the classroom are minimal, but teachers do count on parental support for special events such as field trips, the Harvest Fair, and the 100th day of school. Parents often help with projects in the classroom on an as-needed basis.