Admissions
How to Apply
Grades 6-9
The Upper School at FCDS balances a traditional curriculum with innovative instruction designed specifically for boys of this age. Throughout the day, our boys benefit from strong relationships with their teachers, discussion-based classes, and hands-on learning.
Step 1: Parent Tour and Interview
Take a guided tour with a member of our Admissions team to see what makes FCDS such a special place. During your visit you will have the opportunity to tour our vibrant campus, meet some of our faculty, and see our classrooms in action. To schedule your tour, please fill out our inquiry form and we will be in touch to find a visit time that's convenient for you.
Step 2: Preliminary Online Application
Create an online account on Ravenna, our application portal, by clicking here. Ravenna will provide you with our preliminary application, instructions for each step of the admission process, and a completion checklist for families to track their progress.
Step 3: Student Shadow Day
Shadow Day Visits provide a wonderful opportunity for your son to experience a day-in-the-life of a FCDS student. Typical visits for Grades 6-9 are from 8:15AM - 3:00PM. Your son's Shadow Day will include class time with future classmates, lunch in our dining hall, and a brief writing assessment. Registration for this event is available within your Ravenna account.
Step 4: Standardized Testing
We value admissions assessments as a useful tool in understanding how we can best serve incoming students. We accept scores from standardized tests that your student has likely completed in school the past year, such as the ERB, CMT, or equivalent. Alternatively, we accept Independent School Entrance Examination (ISEE) scores. Information on how to register for the ISEE is available within Ravenna.
Step 5: School Report Cards
Students are required to submit last year’s report card as well as their most recent report card from the current school year.
Step 6: Teacher Recommendations
Sixth grade applications should submit a teacher recommendation from their current classroom teacher. Seventh through ninth grade applicants are required to submit a current English teacher recommendation and a current Math teacher recommendation. Ravenna will provide you with teacher recommendation forms to forward to your son’s current teachers.
Step 7: Tuition Assistance Application (optional)
We offer need-based Tuition Assistance to those who qualify. To find out if your family would qualify, you must complete an application via Clarity. Clarity is a secure website that shares your information with FCDS upon your request. Note that both your Ravenna application and your Clarity application share the same priority application deadline in February.
Fairfield Country Day School (FCDS) is a private, all-boys day school in Fairfield, Connecticut.
Founded in 1936 by Laurence W. Gregory, the school has admitted only boys since its inception. As per our mission: Fairfield Country Day School provides an educational community dedicated to the development of impactful young leaders of character and purpose; ready to face the everyday challenges and pivotal turning points of their lifetime with confidence, courage and compassion. Its balanced and challenging program is designed to help each student expand his desire and ability to acquire knowledge, capture his imagination, stimulate his curiosity and creativity, and enhance his self-esteem and respect for others. Each boy’s individual growth is encouraged in an environment that anticipates the future while appreciating the past.
Founded in 1936 by Laurence W. Gregory, the school has admitted only boys since its inception. As per our mission: Fairfield Country Day School provides an educational community dedicated to the development of impactful young leaders of character and purpose; ready to face the everyday challenges and pivotal turning points of their lifetime with confidence, courage and compassion. Its balanced and challenging program is designed to help each student expand his desire and ability to acquire knowledge, capture his imagination, stimulate his curiosity and creativity, and enhance his self-esteem and respect for others. Each boy’s individual growth is encouraged in an environment that anticipates the future while appreciating the past.
FCDS admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
FCDS is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status.