Canton Country Day School

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Canton Country Day School is an independent day school in Canton, Ohio. The school was inspired by the Country Day School movement and founded in 1964 by six progressive thinkers who wished to combine innovation with a superior elementary education. Canton Country Day has been dedicated to the liberal arts approach to education since its founding, and it remains the only non-sectarian independent PreK-8 school in Stark County.

"Canton Country Day School offers children in preschool through eighth grade a solid educational foundation by cultivating an environment in which scholarship, responsibility, and respect for others flourish along with creativity, enthusiasm, and self-respect. Within this stimulating academic environment, the school encourages children, with the support of their families, to:

be active seekers of knowledge;
examine their convictions honestly and embrace them humbly, both in word and deed;
recognize themselves as participants in a common humanity and citizens of a common universe;
discover their own creative powers and labor patiently to surpass ready achievement; and
wonder at the mysteries that transcend their understanding and challenge their imagination.

"Dedicated to developing character and the abilities to think and communicate clearly, Canton Country Day seeks to fully prepare its graduates to meet the challenges of rigorous secondary school programs and to assume positions of responsibility in their communities."

In 1964, there were only six grades with 72 students. In 1969, the school moved to its beautiful present location in Avondale, with 40 acres of land. Today the school has expanded to include preschool through the eighth grade, with an expansion in 1996 to house the extra students.

The children engage in the liberal arts education through a variety of subjects: Language Arts/Social Studies, Science, Mathematics (including Algebra I and Geometry), French, Music, Art, Physical Education, and Creative Movement. Extracurriculars are encouraged every trimester to create well-rounded students. Co-ed soccer is available in the fall, boys' and girls' basketball in the winter, and boys' and girls' track and field in the spring.

One thing this school has been known for is its financial aid policy. A partnership with Canton City Schools has made it possible for many low-income students to have a high quality education. This is partly inspired by the diversity Canton Country Day strives for, and all manner of students come together in the classroom. Civic duty and community service are continually stressed, creating socially-aware youths upon matriculation. No matter their background, these diverse alumni all go on to succeed tremendously in high school, college, and life itself.

The progressive thinkers who began the school included: Albert Getman, Steve Switzer, and John Lothrop.