DISCOVER YORK
COUNTRY SCHOOL
Where we are extraordinary by design. We share a passion for innovation and a commitment to excellence.
Fast Facts: YCDS is a co-educational, independent, college preparatory school established in 1953 serving preschool through grade 12. The 17-acre campus is located in suburban York and is affiliated with York College of Pennsylvania.
A Look Into Our
Independent School
56% of students receive financial aid
Student-to-faculty ratio is 5:1
25 zip codes in our student population
39% of YCDS students are students of color
Explore Our Comprehensive
Curriculum for All Grades
We encourage our students to develop a love of learning, which will motivate them to continue to seek knowledge and acquire understanding throughout their lifetimes. We encourage students to take an active role in the learning process. Throughout their years at York Country Day, students develop the skills necessary for independent inquiry, critical thinking, and creative expression. We are committed to maintaining a challenging academic program that is designed for students who possess high academic goals. We recognize the uniqueness of each individual child and strive to help each fulfill his or her potential.
Lower School
Preschool - Grade 5
In the Lower School, each child in preschool through grade 5 is known and valued by professional and caring adults who take time to connect with their students every day. Teachers and students together create a supportive, caring classroom environment where all students are celebrated and encouraged to take risks that are necessary for true learning.
Middle School
Grades 6-8
Our Middle School is dedicated to the education of the whole child in a community that challenges and supports students academically, socially, and emotionally. The curriculum focuses on critical thinking, academic risk-taking, content mastery, and skill development. A vibrant advisory system, engaging classrooms, and inclusive athletics and arts activities allow students to discover their emerging talents and interests.
Upper School
Grades 9-12
The energy of our students is one of the most visible qualities of York Country Day’s Upper School. This extraordinary energy is found in our classrooms, where vigorous learning and a vibrant exchange of ideas takes place. It overflows into our courtyards, labs, and workshops and animates the students in the hallways, the lounges, and the playing fields. Created both within and beyond the school, this energy, harnessed within our close-knit community, makes a difference in our students’ lives. The school encourages and scaffolds this energy by providing both an academic and co-curricular program rich with opportunities and challenges and a faculty that creates a stimulating classroom environment.
About YCDS
Each student from our youngest early learners through grade 12 is known and valued as they embrace authenticity and embark on a personalized educational journey tailored to their unique strengths and aspirations. All students are provided access to state-of-art facilities and are empowered to achieve their highest potential.
Mission
York Country Day School, an independent college preparatory day school, inspires and nurtures the innovative and creative spirit of students as they pursue their intellectual promise. Students and faculty embrace rigor and delight in the pursuit of learning with tenacious curiosity and with diverse perspectives. The community helps students ignite their intellectual, social, and civic passions. Our students are known and valued, which allows them to engage as compassionate, bold, and active citizens as they identify a purpose outside of themselves, for the common good, and generate the call to better the world.
Motto
YCDS’s motto, veritas, means truth. A YCDS student is an integral member of an engaging community who aspires to pursue, define, and advance personal and intellectual truth to enrich and advance the quality of life for oneself and the greater good of others.
Our Campus
York Country Day School is a 16-acre campus located in Spring Garden Township, York County, Pennsylvania. We are located approximately 30 miles from Harrisburg, Lancaster, and Gettysburg, 40 miles from Baltimore, Maryland, and 70 miles from Washington, D.C.
Awards & Accolades
National
Best Private K-12 Schools in America
#497 of 3,142
Best Private High Schools in America
#434 of 4,990
Pennsylvania
Best Private K-12 Schools in Pennsylvania
#24 of 129
Best College Prep Private High Schools in Pennsylvania
#34 of 204
Best Private High Schools in Pennsylvania
#37 of 226
Most Diverse Private High Schools in Pennsylvania
#43 of 236
Best High Schools for STEM in Pennsylvania
#86 of 290
How to Apply
At YCDS, we believe in providing a transformative educational experience that prepares students for success in a rapidly changing world. With a focus on academic excellence, character development, and community engagement, we empower students to reach their full potential.
Inquire
Begin your journey by requesting detailed information about our programs and admissions process.
Schedule a Tour
Experience our campus and learn how York Country Day School can support your child’s growth.
Complete the Application
Submit your application to officially start the admissions process.
Take the Necessary Tests
Complete any required assessments to help us understand your child’s academic strengths.
Start the Process: Request Information
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