Providence Country Day School

Providence Country Day School
Location
East Providence, Rhode Island
United States
Coordinates 41°49′01″N 71°21′10″W / 41.8168532°N 71.35275°W / 41.8168532; -71.35275Coordinates: 41°49′01″N 71°21′10″W / 41.8168532°N 71.35275°W / 41.8168532; -71.35275
Information
Type Private, coeducational
Motto Play the Game (Change the Game)
Religious affiliation(s) no affiliation
Established 1923
Headmaster Vince Watchorn
Faculty 50
Enrollment 230
Average class size 40
Student to teacher ratio 6:1
Campus Semi-Urban
Color(s) Red and Black
Athletics conference NEPSAC, RIIL
Mascot Knight
Website http://www.providencecountryday.org/

The Providence Country Day School (often abbreviated to the initials PCD) is a private middle and high school, founded in 1923. Located in East Providence, Rhode Island, United States, it serves approximately 200 students in grades 6 through 12. The school has no religious affiliation and has been co-ed since 1991.

History

In 1923 a group of business leaders, educators and parents set out to establish a premier college-preparatory school in a rural setting. They wanted to provide area students with the advantages of a boarding school campus, but afford them the additional benefits of a day school. Initially a small, all-boys middle and high school, in 1991, the school admitted its first female students, and in 1998 the Board of Trustees hired Susan Haberlandt as Head of School. The current Head of school is Vince Watchorn, who took over the school's leadership in 2011.

In 1997 PCD completed an extensive campus consolidation and building project, in which two historical buildings, Metcalf and Chace Halls (1927) were moved to the east side of campus and renovated. At the same time Murray House opened as the new administration building and the Moran Annex was added to the West Field House, providing greatly expanded and improved athletic facilities..

Teams

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. 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. Teams include: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Sailing, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Track (indoor and track & field), and Volleyball. ]

Administration

Head of School - Vince Watchorn

Assistant Head and Principal - Mark McLaughlin

Dean of Students - Brady Wheatley

Signature programs

Study abroad

Each year, students are invited to enroll in international programs that emphasize language mastery, cultural awareness, and community service. Some international programs are available each year while others vary, depending on student and teacher interest. Among the locations PCD students have studied and traveled are Ecuador, France, Spain and Italy. Currently, students have the opportunity to spend a trimester exchange in Ecuador, visit Quebec City for a long weekend, spend spring break studying marine ecology in St. John, USVI, and travel to Peru to visit Macchu Picchu and other archaeological and cultural sites.

Rhode Island Philharmonic Partnership

The Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra and Music School, across the street from the PCD campus, is home to state-of-the-art facilities available to PCD musicians. As a part of their daily schedule, PCD Upper and Middle School students can enroll in individual instruction with the Music School’s professional musicians, as well as use their facilities for class instruction and practice space. The Music School’s performance space is also available for PCD musical groups.

Chafee Leadership Forum

Since 2000, the late senator John H. Chafee ’40 and his family and friends have sponsored the Chafee Leadership Forum, an annual dialogue with a notable leader in politics and society. Students throughout Rhode Island are invited to the Forum to experience unfolding political events, meet international and national leaders, and broaden their perspectives and understanding of contemporary issues. Recent Chafee Leadership Forum speakers have included U.S. Senator Jack Reed and former U.S. Senator Lincoln Chafee, as well as congressional candidates David Cicillini and Russell Taub.

Notable alumni

References

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