Give prospective families a real, honest look at RCDS through your own eyes. Your personal stories and experiences are worth more than any polished script.
Tours run about 45 minutes — never less than 30, never more than 45. Focus on the applicant's division. You don't need to show every building to every family.
Before you head out, get the family talking. It helps you tailor the tour and immediately creates a connection.
When you introduce yourself, mention your grade, your interests, your activities. Make the kid feel like they can actually see themselves here.
Parents want to know about academics and facilities. The student wants to know if they'll belong. Speak to both.
Tours run Mon–Fri at 8:45am, 9:45am, 11:30am, and 12:30pm. Report to the Admissions Office at the start of your scheduled block — early is better.
If no family is there after 5 minutes, you're free to go. But be there first.
Can't make your block? Email Ms. Brittain ASAP and find a sub. More than two unexcused absences in a month and your advisor gets a heads-up.
Don't just drop the family off and walk away. Bring them back to the Admissions Office waiting area, check in with someone at the front desk, and offer to answer any final questions before you head out.
If a family asks for your contact info and you're comfortable sharing it, you can give them your RCDS email. The office has blank cards for this.
- Use hallway signs to orient yourself
- Introduce visitors to Senior Administrators if you cross paths
- Mention the ZEUS sustainability project in the dining hall
- Remind families they'll meet with an Admissions Officer after
- Tell families upfront you won't be entering classrooms
- Politely cut off conversations that run too long
- Focus on the positives and your own experiences
- Enter classrooms uninvited
- Enter the Tech Center
- Compare RCDS to other schools
- Text, chew gum, or eat candy during a tour
- Drop the family off and disappear
- Share tour details with the broader school
- Let a tour go over 45 minutes
Sometimes families ask something tough — about workload, social dynamics, or things you have mixed feelings about. You can be honest while staying positive. You don't have to spin everything.
If you're genuinely unsure how to handle it, say: "That's a great question — let me make sure you get a chance to ask that to one of the Admissions Officers." Then mention it when you return.
The Student Leaders are also there to help with tricky situations. Don't hesitate to loop them in.
French and Spanish start in Grade 2 (a few times a week). In Grades 6–8 it becomes a full academic subject — students choose French, Spanish, Latin, or Mandarin Chinese. Completing the MS language program counts as one year of credit in Upper School. New students can enter at any stage.
PE every day for PK–Grade 4. Grades 5–6 also have daily PE. Grades 7–8 add interscholastic games. Upper School students try out for JV/V teams or fulfill PE credit through the Fitness Center. Three major turf fields were replaced in 2018.
RCDS has a defined set of learning outcomes grouped into four areas: Character (values, flexibility, passion), Knowledge (learning how to learn, transferring ideas), Skills (communication, collaboration, growth mindset), and Citizenship (awareness, engagement, purpose). It runs Pre-K through Grade 12.
Interdisciplinary service learning program. Students work with long-term community partners through curriculum-integrated projects. The idea: students are empowered as active contributors to their communities, not just observers.
Everyone runs on a 6-day rotating schedule. Grades 6–12 have individualized schedules. US mid-morning blocks rotate between Advisory, Office Hours, Clubs, Community Meeting, and Class Meeting.