We are FCDS

Originally located on Unquowa Road in downtown Fairfield, CT, FCDS opened with 26 boys.

The School grew quickly in its early years, and in 1949 the need for more space prompted the acquisition of the Bronson Estate, the current home of the School. The historic main building of the School was originally the home of Timothy Dwight, minister of Greenfield Congregational Church, and later president of Yale University. Isaac Bronson then purchased the property and expanded the estate to become the Bronson Homestead. Many of the original architectural details remain as part of the beautiful historic main building of the School today.

Fairfield Country Day School has been recognized by the Smithsonian Institute for its participation in the laptop program and by the Council for the Advancement of Education for the School’s exemplary development of voluntary support.

Clear and effective personal communication is considered an essential component of a Fairfield Country Day School education. Every FCDS student participates in the public speaking program. Younger boys recite poems. Older boys respectfully debate current issues in all-school assemblies. Students in eighth and ninth grade write and deliver their own speeches to the school body. Every voice is heard. Every voice is strengthened.  

Every day at FCDS, our community pauses to share a meal together. Lunch isn’t a cafeteria line. It’s a family-style experience. Before eating, we share a non-denominational grace. Fresh, well-balanced meals are made from scratch by our school chef and served at tables where boys from different grades sit together with a teacher. 

In the first lunch seating(Grades K-5), a younger student introduces the “manner of the week,” and fourth and fifth graders serve their peers.  At the second seating (Grades 6-9), boys take turns as waiters and over the year, every boy has the opportunity to wait tables and sit with different classmates and teachers.

This daily ritual creates more than just good table manners. It also gives students and faculty a chance to connect beyond the classroom and strengthen the sense of community that makes FCDS feel like family.

The FCDS Link Day program happens several times each year and strengthens our close-knit, supportive community. During each Link Day, older boys are paired with younger students, helping build meaningful connections across divisions.

Together, each pair participates in thoughtfully-designed activities such as pumpkin carving, collaborative reading, poetry recitation practice, and joint projects that often lead to shared celebrations like our annual Field Day. While the activities are engaging and fun, the true heart of Link Day is the relationships that develop. These friendships extend well beyond the day’s events, often lasting the entire school year and, in many cases, for years to come.

Through Link Day, our students practice empathy, leadership, and cooperation in real ways. Older students learn guidance and responsibility while younger students gain confidence and a trusted friend. This intentional blending of ages and perspectives enriches our campus culture and reflects our belief that every student contributes to, and benefits from, our shared sense of belonging.

At Fairfield Country Day, we know that the best learning happens when boys feel seen, supported, and connected. That’s why every student in Grades 6–9 is part of our Advisory Program, a small group of eight to ten boys led by an Upper School faculty member who really gets to know them. These groups stay together year after year, giving boys a team of friends and an adult they can count on for encouragement, perspective, and guidance.

Each morning begins in advisory. It’s a simple but meaningful routine. A chance to check in, get organized, and set the tone for the day. Boys walk into a room where they’re greeted by familiar faces, clear expectations, and an advisor who not only knows their schedule but notices how they’re doing.

Once a week, advisory time stretches out into a longer block for activities that go beyond academics. Boys might be setting personal goals, tackling group challenges, talking through sticky situations, or pitching in on a service project. The spring Advisory Wiffle Ball Competition is as legendary (and competitive) as it sounds. Over time, these sessions build confidence, friendships across grades, and early leadership skills.

The advisor is the primary link between home and school. In addition to actively keeping  lines of communication open , advisors meet with families throughout the year to set goals, discuss progress, celebrate growth, and coordinate support. Advisors advocate for each advisee daily, collaborating with teachers to help students thrive in the classroom and beyond.

The Blue Door is one of the most recognizable symbols of FCDS, welcoming every visitor to the School. For students, walking through the Blue Door is a special rite of passage reserved for ninth graders. This tradition has been part of FCDS since the School’s founding, connecting generations of students through a simple, meaningful moment.