Our Community

Get ready for a night of music, magic and roller disco as NSCDS proudly presents “Xanadu!” This hilarious, high-energy musical follows struggling artist Sonny Malone, who dreams of creating the ultimate artistic haven — a roller disco! When the beautiful and mysterious Kira arrives to inspire him, Sonny has no idea she’s actually Clio, a Greek muse sent from Mount Olympus. As their creative collaboration turns into a forbidden romance, Kira must navigate jealous sisters, divine rules and her own growing feelings.

Alumni help our NSCD students enjoy experiences like read- aloud buddy days and other activities that foster connections across all grades by giving back. Krista Jablonski Nickols ‘’01, matching gift donor, shared, “The school motto, ‘Live and Serve,’ shaped my approach to both business and life. Giving back isn’t just something I do — it’s part of who I am. I’m grateful to carry that legacy forward in my career and community, and I hope to inspire others to do the same.”

Dinner, beverages and a great time connecting with alumni — what could be better? Join us for our Spring Connectathon on Wednesday, March 5, from 6-8 p.m. to share school news with your fellow alums, highlight upcoming  alumni events, thank donors and update alumni contact information. We hope you will join the Alumni Board* and other alumni volunteers at this on-campus event.  

Middle school acting, dance and stagecraft students took center stage in January for the winter performing arts showcase, an event that celebrated their progress over the first half of the year. For the first time, the showcase featured a rotating format, with audience members moving between three locations to experience each discipline up close.

The Dunk Alzheimer’s Basketball Bash and Little Dribblers Clinic are right around the corner! For those who are new to this event, on January 25, NSCD will host a full slate of basketball games followed by an evening dance for upper school students in an effort to raise awareness and support the fight against Alzheimer’s. 

The wait is over—we’re thrilled to unveil the reimagined Mac McCarty Athletic Center at North Shore Country Day! This remarkable transformation was made possible by the generosity and vision of our donors and families.

Our Alumni Community did it again! THANK YOU to everyone for making the Alumni Canned Food Drive such a smashing success! We partnered with students and local alumni to collect several bins of non-perishable items, all of which went directly to support those in need through the Winnetka Food Pantry. 

Middle school families gathered in the Hall Library for an insightful panel discussion titled “Reflections on the North Shore Experience.” The event featured recent alumni and current upper school students, providing an inside look into how North Shore Country Day shapes its students for success. Panelists included Ella Capozzi ’23 (Syracuse University), Suraiyya Omar ’23 (University of Wisconsin-Madison), Bo Stevenson ’24 (University of Virginia) and senior Nolan Darnieder ’25.

Ever wondered what it’s like to balance academics, athletics, and personal life in college? Dive into the routine of Caroline Segal ’20, Field Hockey star at Middlebury College and NECAC Offensive Player of the Year. 

Discover Shemar Johnson ’14’s new middle-grade fantasy, Seasonal Crisis: Battle of the Boats, a thrilling adventure promoting creativity, unity, and environmental stewardship. Available in eBook and paperback formats. 

Xochitl Carmona ’09, founder of Werk Mija, recently achieved a major milestone by receiving a $10,000 Elevate Together grant, designed to support the growth of Black- and Hispanic-owned small businesses. 

In this episode of the Raider Ramble Podcast, hosts Hannah Chung and Gray Hulick from the Parents’ Association take a deep dive into the topic of parental burnout. From uncovering warning signs to emphasizing the crucial role of seeking support, they dig into the nitty-gritty details of managing the demands of parenting. Don't miss out on this exhilarating discussion that promises to enlighten, inspire and rejuvenate every parent out there!

North Shore Country Day’s FIRST LEGO League (FLL) team, the Deep Sea Raiders are heading to sectionals after earning the Core Values Award at the Chicago qualifying event hosted by Francis W. Parker School on December 7. This award celebrates teams that display exceptional enthusiasm, teamwork, innovation, sportsmanship and respect for both their teammates and competitors. Teams are judged in three categories: robot performance through a series of missions, an innovation project, and robot engineering, design and coding. These three scores combined determine which teams advance to the sectional competition in January. 

Sam Rozak is a senior at Boston University studying business. He is a member of the Boston University track and field team and specializes in long jump, triple jump and sprints. Sam took some time out to share some insights into his life as a college athlete.

Three years ago, Amanda Ni ’25 noticed her peers struggling academically and decided to take action. As a sophomore, she founded TOMATOES, which stands for “TO MAster, TO Earn Success” — a peer tutoring program that connects middle and upper school students who need academic support with volunteer upper school mentors.  

At North Shore Country Day, civic engagement begins early. In honor of today’s Presidential election, our junior kindergartners took part in a special learning experience designed to teach them the basics of voting in a fun and age-appropriate way.

As they wander the halls of the middle school, a group of enthusiastic young photographers is making waves. The Middle School Yearbook Photography Club, a new addition to the school’s extracurricular lineup, brings together students who share a common passion for capturing the essence of their academic and social surroundings through a camera’s lens.

Kathryn's lifelong dedication to education, history and community exemplifies the school’s motto, “Live and Serve,” leaving a profound impact on many. After NSCD, Kathryn earned her B.A. from Scripps College and an M.A. in History from the University of Illinois. Her long teaching career began at Indiana University and flourished at Park Tudor School in Indianapolis. On several occasions she has been named Indiana’s History Teacher Of The Year. At the same time, she has led an array of civic and charitable organizations.

We are happy to announce Dan Bloedorn ’87 as the new Alumni Board President and are excited to have his leadership and enthusiasm as he takes on this new role. A native of Northbrook, IL, Dan returned to the area after spending six years in Atlanta and currently works as a consultant for an app development company in the endurance sports industry.

Imagine trekking across a frozen ocean, where the ice beneath your feet is constantly shifting, and the nearest land is hundreds of miles away. Now, imagine doing this in sub-zero temperatures with only a team of sled dogs and your survival skills to rely on. For North Shore Country Day alum Annie Aggens ’88, this is just a typical day at the office.

For almost a decade now, the Kaleidoscope program in lower school has served to provide students with meaningful and age-appropriate lessons, which furnish them with both windows and mirrors to better understand themselves and others. While developing empathy and understanding, as well as the tools needed to engage across differences, inside and outside of our school community, students live out the meaning of our five lower school words: kindness, compassion, respect, integrity and inclusion. Kaleidoscope continues to help provide an avenue for us to celebrate all of the students and families who come to lower school and empowers all of us to be upstanders when confronted with prejudice and injustice.

Achieving the rank of Eagle Scout is a remarkable milestone that speaks to the dedication, leadership and community-minded spirit of our students. We are proud to celebrate three seniors who have recently completed or are about to complete their Eagle Scout projects — an honor that less than 5% of Scouts achieve. These projects not only reflect the Scouts’ personal growth and commitment to service but also make a lasting impact on the local community. Their achievements embody the values we strive to instill at North Shore Country Day, where the motto “Live and Serve” runs deeply through the lives of our students, both in and outside of school.

Tune into this insightful edition of the Raider Ramble Podcast, where Kristen Kaczynski and Matthew Mettille from North Shore Country Day's College Counseling Office discuss the evolving landscape of the college admissions process. Our special guest, Mac Devereux '23, now a student at McGill University, joins the duo to share how expert college counseling played a pivotal role in transforming his college dreams into reality, aiding in his self-discovery and decision-making process.

Between Tuesday and Wednesday of the eighth grade journey through Washington, DC, you begin to see the change. Groups blend. Laughter builds. Inside jokes form. Their ability to absorb the history of honor they are witnessing grows. By the end of the week, you can’t tell the difference between a lifer and a new member of our community. And each eighth grader has a much more profound sense of what our nation has accomplished and what more there is to do. 

While using the words “fun” and “math” in the same sentence may be surprising to some, quite a few lower schoolers do just that! Through various real-world applications and experiences — and most importantly play, observation and inquiry — NSCD students have learned to have fun with math at school. But, how to extend that fun at home is a question teachers often hear from parents. Below are a few suggestions to get you started “thinking math” when you are out and about or at home with your family. 

For a veteran athletic director of many years now, there is no time in the school year quite as enjoyable as the beginning of the fall season. From the excitement of the new sixth graders who have been anticipating their chance to be Raider athletes, to the seniors who are preparing for their last season, eager to be remembered for their athletic accomplishments, there’s nothing quite like the energy I feel on campus and at first practices of the school year.

Amelia leads the policy and advocacy team at the Friends Committee on National Legislation, a Quaker organization working to advance peace and justice legislation in Washington, D.C. She now lives in Silver Spring, Maryland with her husband, four-year-old daughter, and two-year-old son. Keep reading to learn more about what Amelia is up to these days.

My name is Andrew Brown and my wife, Gail, and I live in Highland Park, Illinois, which is also where I grew up.  Our three adult children all live in California, Joey in Los Angeles, Eliza in Berkeley, and Madeline in San Francisco.  I was graduated from NSCDS in 1976 and continued my education at The University of Chicago with the following degrees, an AB (1980), an AM (1980), and an MBA (1982). I’ve spent virtually my entire working career in the finance and investment world, primarily Commercial Real Estate finance and investment.

Whether it’s touching and helping the world via ham radio, volunteering with North Shore Country Day Science Olympiad teams, or working on behalf of Northfield, the village he calls home, Don Whiteman ’70 approaches life with gusto. He hasn’t slowed down despite retiring in 2022 as a senior vice president at RBC Wealth Management. 

Parents, friends, students, alumni, faculty and staff gathered June 7 to celebrate the Class of 2024 and watch the seniors cross the stage to receive their diplomas, all the while being serenaded by a chorus of hundreds of thousands of cicadas echoing outside the auditorium doors.

In episode 6 of the Raider Ramble, five of our eight Lifers join us to reflect on their journey at NSCD. They've grown alongside one another from their earliest days to their senior year, each step forging their Raider identity. As they share cherished memories and offer advice to our younger students, you'll feel the strong pulse of our North Shore community. Tune in to this final episode of Season 1 to celebrate the end of an era and the inspiration that guides our collective path forward.

Dan recently returned to the area after spending 6 years in Atlanta.  He currently works as a consultant to an app development company supporting mobile applications and participant live tracking to races in the Endurance Sports Industry.  He supports my mom (first Auction chair) and enjoys time with friends and his dog Milo.

In episode 5 of the Raider Ramble, NSCD alum Mullery Doar '06 explores the origin of the mysterious Ozzy Ball, a game that is deeply rooted in North Shore Country Day's lower school culture.

During a year of dramatic global events, the importance of Model United Nations is greater than ever. North Shore’s students met the challenge through their preparation and performance in this year’s series of five conferences. In addition to tackling pressing global issues, our growing team of 20 participants won numerous awards at regional and national conferences while setting the foundation for our future growth and competitiveness. Thanks to the leadership of our Secretary General senior Emi Comeau, and fellow advisor Erin Aiston, we are poised for years of continued success.

Our teachers love to teach, that we know. They exude a passion for their subjects and sustain and fuel their passion for teaching through learning. They pursue professional development opportunities related to their craft and their subject area so they can be the best educators they can be. Our faculty regularly attend workshops, conferences and webinars to strengthen their practice. But, supporting our teachers' growth requires more.

As the frigid grip of winter loosens and the first signs of spring emerge, lower schoolers have yet another reason to look forward to the warmer months: the return of lower school recess clubs, which offer fourth and fifth graders an opportunity to dive into their hobbies, make new friends across grades and take a little midday break from their academic responsibilities.

Have you ever wondered about the role of African Americans in shaping U.S. and global politics, economy and culture? Perhaps linear momentum, rotation, oscillations and gravitation are more your style. Or maybe you’d rather engage in conversations about the philosophy of math and how it can be used in the “real world.” These are just a few of the things NSCD upper school students might learn in some of the new courses being offered next year.

During the summer of 1974, my family moved from Minneapolis to Evanston. I started at North Shore that fall, and would be there until I graduated in 1983. Having been there for nine years, I have a lot of memories of the school and my time there. Most notably, North Shore instilled in me the importance of service in my community. Whether implied or directed, service was a recurring theme in my North Shore experience. At home, my parents reinforced the idea of giving back to the community, and it has been a strong theme in my life.

Over spring break, 15 NSCD juniors hopped on a plane to Philadelphia, where they met a bus driver who would chauffeur them around for the week. But they weren’t headed for a relaxing vacation or a historical tour. These students, accompanied by college counselors Matt Mettille and Kristen Kaczynski, visited 14 college campuses across the Mid-Atlantic region in five days. Known as the “Bus O’ Fun,'' this annual tradition exposes students to the wide range of college and university options available to them. Students explored schools ranging from 1,400 to 40,000 students in rural settings and urban city centers. While there, they had a chance to observe a wide array of teaching styles and campuses, and hear about different curricula and programs, which will ultimately impact their college search and developing preferences moving forward. 

It’s been a whirlwind of activity on the east side of campus over the past two months and renovation of the Mac Gym is well underway. Demolition of the swimming pool, west gym facade and interiors is complete, and an earth retention system has been installed. Inside the building, the bleachers and lower-level walls and utilities have been removed, and the “rough-in” stage is beginning as electricians and plumbers lay down pipes and wires. Over spring break, a parade of cement mixers hauled in eleven truckloads of concrete to lay the foundation for the south addition, and the elevator shaft is beginning to take shape. 

You may be wondering, what are executive function skills? Executive functions are the skills we use every day to get things done. When children demonstrate weak executive functioning skills, it has nothing to do with how bright they are or how much effort they put in. It’s a disconnect in their brain’s ability to coordinate and carry out tasks. 

In episode 4, Liz Sherwood, a parent of four kids, leads a fascinating chat with Middle School Counselor Courtney Wilson and Information and Media Literacy Librarian Jared Branahl. Discover how parents can guide and shape their children's social media journeys, unlocking doors to self-discovery and growth.

As the world we live in grows more automatic each day, it’s important for children to find activities that force them to slow down and help them learn the value of working on something over time. While there are endless activities for students to choose from, learning a musical instrument helps students develop a sense of responsibility, build emotional resilience, and grow in self-confidence and awareness.  

In this year’s spring musical, “Little Shop of Horrors,” with performances at 7 p.m. March 7, 8 and 9, a meek floral assistant named Seymour Krelborn stumbles across a new breed of plant he names “Audrey II” — after his coworker crush. This foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore promises unending fame and fortune to the down and out Seymour as long as he keeps feeding it—BLOOD. Over time, though, Seymour discovers Audrey II's out of this world origins and intent towards global domination.

An email I received many years ago from a parent has had a lasting impact on my philosophy around a school’s responsibility with helping students find appropriate balance in their schedules, particularly as it relates to AP courses.  

In episode 3, Molly Shotwell Oelerich '87 and Trina Sandshafer, Executive Vice President and Design Principal at Kahler Slater, discuss the Mac Gym renovation project at NSCD. They delve into the design process and highlight the importance of prioritizing the needs and ideas from various stakeholders to create a space that promotes the health and wellness of the students.

As the lower school visual arts teacher, Elliot Eisner’s approach to art education is one of the key educational philosophies that guides my work in the classroom: “The arts celebrate multiple perspectives,” Eisner said. “One of their large lessons is that there are many ways to see and interpret the world.” 

In honor of Black History Month, NSCD librarians Jenna Loise and Jared Branahl have curated a list of books from the Hall Library’s collection, celebrating the rich tapestry of Black lives and experiences. The list features both fiction and nonfiction books by Black authors and illustrators for JK through adult readers.

Following in the footsteps of my dad, class of 1925 and my uncle, class of 1928, I attended NSCDS from 1962 to 1966 when I graduated. I have many fond memories over my 4 years.

On January 24, students in middle and upper schools took time out of their regular schedule to participate in an X-Day about the power of storytelling and the importance of empathy. The goal of this day-long workshop was to further the ongoing conversations that have been happening in each division around antisemitism and Islamophobia, helping students understand history and develop the skills to speak up, confront bigotry and build community through positive action. 

Saturday was a potentially tough day when it came to the last game in the building. The pre-game scouting report I heard was that Elgin Academy’s Varsity boys basketball team would be tough to beat. 

My experience as one of a small number of Black people at my predominantly white K-12 school has helped me realize the importance of vulnerability and collaboration.

In episode 2, NSCD parents Arturo Garcia Middle, Upper School Computer Science Teacher, and Dr. Jessica Rappaport of Rappaport Pediatrics dive head first into a very complex, complicated and sometime sore subject of screen tiime. From navigating the educational benefits to understanding the potential risks, we are going to explore the ever-evolving landscape of technology and how it impacts our kids' well-being.

Middle school acting, dance, digital media and stagecraft classes demonstrated their growth over the first half of the school year and celebrated their journey with a performing arts showcase held in the auditorium on January 24. 

This month's Alumni Spotlight is Kathryn “Katie” Wilsey Lerch '64, who shared about her NSCD experience and what she's up to now.

This morning, we officially kicked off the Mac Gym renovation project with our final all-school assembly in the current space: a Morning Ex basketball showcase where faculty/staff and students had a chance to show off their skills.

In episode 1, join us as we deep dive into the world of scheduling for children. We'll unravel the delicate balance between the right level of activity and unscheduled time. Prepare yourself for an engaging discussion that sheds light on the signs of over-scheduling, while empowering parents to prioritize essential breaks for both themselves and their children. Remember, it's absolutely fine to discover what works best for your unique family dynamics and to focus on fostering your child's personal growth.

Interim is consistently remembered as a highlight of NSCD students' upper school experience. This year, students had the opportunity to choose from one of five travel-based Interims or 11 local ones. 

This fall, North Shore Country Day’s middle school athletics season was a testament to growth, teamwork and determination. Here are a few of the highlights from the middle school cross country, field hockey, flag football, boys soccer and girls volleyball teams.

From the courtroom to the writers' room, life has been full of unexpected twists and turns for North Shore Country Day alum Richard Appel ’81. Learn about his path from trial attorney to Emmy Award-winning comedy writer, producer and showrunner. ​​​​​

With 54 students this year, North Shore Country Day’s eighth grade class is the largest in the school’s 105-year history. It’s so big, in fact, that the administration needed to create a fourth section to accommodate the additional students, so instead of having three classes of 16 for humanities and science classes, students are now split into four classes of 13 or 14.

As the entire North Shore Country Day community gathered on the playing fields on a breezy Wednesday morning for the school’s first all-school assembly of the school year—known as Opening Morning Ex—they reflected on the strength that comes from being together.

For both educators and parents, sparking a love of literature in children is a task that’s often joyful, but can also be onerous.

In this Q&A, Patrick McHugh takes us through his path to NSCD, the extraordinary changes in our athletics program since 1994, and the moments that define his coaching legacy.

Jackson Berner ’24 is wrapping up his second summer season as co-manager and coach at Alternative Baseball Northbrook, an adaptive baseball league for teens and adults with autism, Down Syndrome and other special needs.

Whenever Anthony Trionfo meets some­one who says they want to be a profes­sional musician, his first instinct is to shout, “Go for it!” But then he takes a step back and explains that you have to remember the “why.”

Anthony is a founder of the Umoja Flute Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to providing flutists of African descent with the tools needed to succeed and thrive at all levels of music-making. 

Jim Tuthill ’65, shares how his experience at NSCD has impacted his life and why he gives back. 

In this episode of Alumni Chats, Michael O. '23 sits down with Jonathan Segal '15 to talk about his journey after NSCD, creating his startup Zeno Power, and advice for this year's graduates. 

Nicolette F. ’23 shares her journey of embracing her cultural identity, learning from her Tita Madre and celebrating the vibrant traditions of her community.

What does “Live and Serve” mean? Ask anyone who’s been at NSCD over its history, and you’re likely to hear about service projects, volunteering, perhaps Interim week or the Northwestern Settlement House drive. Those are all still important parts of “Live and Serve” at North Shore, but on campus we’re working to expand the meaning of this term and broaden our commitment to making good in the world.

Fifth graders paired up with JK and SK students, interviewed them and wrote a story about a fear or challenge they had to overcome.

For the Rube Goldberg project, eighth graders incorporate pulleys, wheels and axles, inclined planes and levers to raise a Chicago Cubs W flag.

Senior Teddy Gallun is one of a handful of students doing an independent study in Open Entrepreneurship Lab (OEL). He created a clothing line named after his grandfather.

As we close out the year, Head of School Tom Flemma shares his thoughts on our journey of growth and excellence. 

Middle & Upper School Information and Media Literacy Librarian Jared Branahl talks about the library's place in a digital world. 

North Shore Country Day alum and curve model, Bridgette Ugarte '18, gave a TEDx Talk called "Reshape Your Mind, Not Your Body" on self-empowerment and self-love. 

North Shore Country Day welcomed Anton Treuer as the 2022 Harold Hines Visiting Fellow on November 30. Dr. Treuer is a prolific author and Professor of Ojibwe at Bemidji State University in northern Minnesota.

A new visual arts show has opened in the North Shore Country Day John Almquist Gallery featuring the work of all students in junior kindergarten through fifth grade. Included are examples of how NSCD integrates STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) into its curriculum. The show runs through March 18, 2022. 

NSCD upper school visual arts students enrolled in the mark-making class created grided self-portraits. Using a range of graphite pencils, students worked methodically, one square at a time, left to right, row by row to achieve their final self-portraits. While everyone used the same process, each portrait has its own unique mark-making style.

As a junior at Middlebury College, Sophie Hiland ’18 has another title—Overeasy CEO. The company makes a wearable called a HoodE that is a unisex, helmet-compatible hood with a built-in face panel that is great for, but not limited to, keeping warm on the ski slopes. 

NSCD middle school students took part in a spelling bee preliminary round on January 14 during class meetings. The goal of the event was to have a fun and lively competition. 

The NSCD middle school student council hosted a raffle in January featuring a selection of experiences and tangible items donated by middle school faculty and students. The raffle raised $871 used to purchase laptop computers for two boys from Afghanistan who recently arrived in Chicago with their families. The students are in high school and desperately need computers for school and to learn English. 

The Middle School Winter Performing Arts Showcase was held on January 27 and shared with the school community via livestream. Performances and presentations were presented by the middle school acting, dance, technical theater and improvisation classes, along with highlighted performances from a select group of instrumental ensemble and chorus members. This is an annual celebration of the process each of these classes journeyed through during the first semester culminating in a livestreamed performance.

During the Colby College exploratory term in January, Hillary Swimmer ’18, now a senior at Colby, interned with the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI), a nonprofit pioneering collaborative solutions to global ocean challenges. During her time there, she co-authored a first-ever report that synthesized how GMRI projects directly address more than half of the state’s sweeping climate goals. Swimmer co-authored her report with Dave Reidmiller, the director of the climate center at GMRI. 

Each year, NSCD hosts the Harold H. Hines Jr. Visiting Fellowship that brings to campus a distinguished individual who exemplifies the school motto, “Live and Serve.” This year’s visiting fellow was Rajiv Vinnakota. Raj has dedicated his career to supporting students from underserved communities and to building a stronger democracy.

Sylvia Kelly '25, wrote a reflection for the Diller Street Journal, the student newspaper, on what it's like to be a "New Kid" at North Shore Country Day.

Three students at North Shore Country Day were named semifinalists for 2022 National Merit scholarships among more than two dozen high school seniors at schools in New Trier Township. The NSCD students are Peyton Hudson, Andrew Xing and Emily Yoo.

North Shore Country Day welcomed 20 new faculty and staff members for the 2021-22 school year, introducing them at the first Morning Ex gathering of all students and faculty/staff.

The New York Times published an Opinion video titled "How Life Look Like Through My 'Whale Eyes,'" created by James Robinson, a filmmaker from Maine and a Class of 2015 North Shore Country Day graduate. 

North Shore Country Day named Best private school in Chicago suburbs.

Building a relationship-based community requires that we see each other as members of the same group, bound by threads connecting our hearts and minds.

“Participation is a part of the way we do school and it reflects our roots in the progressive education tradition of 100 years ago,” says Tom Flemma, NSCD head of school. “What it looks like is nudging kids into places they wouldn’t necessarily go, gently but consistently.”