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The 2nd grade class works on a water filter project at the beach.
Leveraging relationships is the foundation of the student experience

   

Students perform in a musical at North Shore Country Day.
Expanding beyond academics is essential for discovery and growth

   

Lower school students work on a project in the Live and Serve Lab.
“Live and Serve” is our motto put into action

   

The girls volleyball team celebrates a victory.
Becoming a team player is a requirement

   

JK buddies read together.
Creating buddies, JK-12,  is how students learn from each other

   

An aerial view of the 16-acre campus.
Our 16-acre campus is a breath of fresh air

   

What Matters Most

Since our founding we have committed to answering a fundamental question: 
What matters most when educating a child?

Our answer? A holistic, intentionally designed learning experience where all members of our community are focused on: 

Connecting

 

 

 


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Challenging

 

 

 


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Engaging

 

 

 


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Exploring

 

 

 


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Our Programs

Lower School

Lower School

GRADES JK-5

Our integrated curriculum and program help children see the world through more courageous, compassionate eyes, planting the seed for a lifelong love of learning.

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Middle School

Middle School

Grades 6-8

We believe in the unique capabilities of our adolescent learners, and our curriculum reflects that. Our teachers challenge students to stretch themselves. 

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Upper School

Upper School

Grades 9-12

Students develop into well-rounded adults by stretching themselves with experiences in performing arts, athletics, service, activities and meaningful connections made with …

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I have found that the NSCD teachers are very committed to their students. They want the kids to learn the topics thoroughly and also feel challenged. They also are there for their students way beyond the classroom.

Susie ShermanParent of alumni

Every single teacher seems to have a smile on his/her face and a twinkle in the eye—everyday. It’s a wonderful thing to witness because it’s obvious that those smiles and twinkles are powered by the pure joy of loving one’s work. And, seeing that magic come through in remote learning brought a tear to my eye more than once last spring.
Trish ThomasLower and Middle School Parent

NSCD continuously goes above and beyond in ways one cannot imagine. It often amazes me how the administration is always one step ahead in making decisions about the well being of the children and working toward ways they can encourage growth.

Ashleigh Palmer '04Lower School Parent

It started by looking for a full day of kindergarten. My family quickly learned the attention to students’ needs was amazing and we never looked back.

Jennifer MedvinUPPER School Parent

By the Numbers

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7 to 1

Student to Teacher Ratio

45%

Students of Color

106

Years NSCD has been serving the greater Chicago area

510

Students Enrolled

47

ZIP CODES REPRESENTED

80%

FACULTY WITH ADVANCED DEGREES

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Students pose for a photo during the Spring Sports Extravaganza.

Gray skies couldn’t dampen Raider spirit as North Shore Country Day hosted its first-ever Spring Sports Extravaganza, immediately following Grandparents and Special Friends Day on Friday, May 2. Organized by the Parents’ Association Athletic Council, the afternoon brought the entire JK-12  community together for a celebration of athletics, Raider pride and family fun.

Read More about A Fresh Tradition, Rooted in Raider Pride: Spring Sports Extravaganza Offers ‘Something for Everyone’
Lower school student present on stage during Morning Ex.

Earlier this month, fifth graders took the stage to lead a powerful Morning Ex that brought together the entire lower school in a celebration of learning, reflection and community. Each class shared a piece of what they’ve been exploring this year through the Kaleidoscope program — a curriculum rooted in themes of identity, community, justice, activism and action.

Read More about Lower Schoolers Share Lessons in Identity, Justice and Action at Morning Ex
Brave, Curious and Grateful: Middle Schoolers Connect Through Service and Exploration During Annual Community Engagement Week

For the fourth year in a row, North Shore Country Day middle schoolers stepped out of their regular routines and into communities across Chicagoland for Community Engagement Week — a hands-on, experiential program that blends service, storytelling and deep learning across lines of difference. 

Read More about Brave, Curious and Grateful: Middle Schoolers Connect Through Service and Exploration During Annual Community Engagement Week
Exploring Possibilities: Reflections from the 2025 Bus O’ Fun Trip

Over spring break, 13 juniors joined North Shore Country Day’s college counseling team for the annual Bus O’ Fun trip, a weeklong adventure designed to help students explore a variety of college and university experiences. Led by Director of College Counseling Matt Mettille and College Counselor Kristen Kaczynski, this year’s group traveled through North Carolina and South Carolina, visiting 11 schools in just five days.

Read More about Exploring Possibilities: Reflections from the 2025 Bus O’ Fun Trip
Collage of PA events on campus.

The importance of parental involvement traces back to the very foundations of the day school movement. Unlike boarding schools, day schools sought to offer students the benefits of academic rigor while allowing them to return home to their families each evening. This philosophy emphasized the “healthful influence of parents” as a vital element of a child’s development — an ethos that remains deeply ingrained at North Shore.

Read More about Stronger Together: Parents’ Association Helps Build Community and Make Lifelong Connections
Via Kelly performs at Carnegie Hall.

When I first got my nomination letter for the Honors Performance Series, I thought there had been a mistake. I had just walked in the door after another normal day of school, and my dad said that a letter had arrived for me. I opened it, not expecting anything of much importance, when I saw the words, “You have been nominated” and “Carnegie Hall.” I think I was shocked at seeing it because I do not remember much of the rest.

Read More about Hitting the High Notes: My Carnegie Hall Debut