Cincinnati Country Day School

09/03/2026

Sixth graders got a taste of what’s on the menu for a great year of reading! 📚
During their "book tasting," students sampled new and familiar titles from their classroom library, then shared their first impressions with classmates to help one another discover new books to add to their reading lists.

And for a few lucky readers, the tasting comes with a bonus: the chance to be among the first to check out some of these new favorites!

Here’s to discovering the books you just can’t put down.

09/02/2026

How are the Principles of Engineering Design students starting the semester? By diving into engineering design and design thinking, of course! Students tested and refined hoop glider designs to improve flight performance, navigating real-world constraints such as limited time and resources while brainstorming and prototyping creative solutions

Not only that, but they also experienced the power of empathy while conducting user interviews to better understand and identify meaningful problems to solve. Stay tuned for more exciting projects ahead!

09/02/2026

Congratulations to J.R. Foster ’98, who was selected for the historic 50th class of Leadership Cincinnati, the Cincinnati Regional Chamber’s flagship leadership development and civic engagement program. J.R. is one of 60 established leaders from across the region chosen for the milestone class, which brings together leaders from the business, nonprofit, government, and community sectors to deepen their civic engagement and help shape Cincinnati’s future.

A Country Day Athletic Hall of Famer, J.R. was a standout in soccer and track during his time at CCDS, earning All-MVC and All-District honors in both sports, as well as All-City honors in soccer. He also served as soccer team captain and was named MVP.

Today, J.R. continues to lead in the Greater Cincinnati community as president and CEO of Robert Louis Group. His selection for Leadership Cincinnati Class 50 is another great example of a CCDS alum carrying leadership, service, and community engagement well beyond Country Day.

💻: https://cincinnatichamber.com/blog/leadership-cincinnati-announces-class-50

Congratulations, J.R.!

09/01/2026

A spin of the wheel and a new HOUSE to call home! 🧡💛💚💜💙

New Lower School students gathered for one of our favorite traditions: the House Reveal! This year, students got to choose their destiny by pressing the button for our digital wheel or giving the physical wheel a spin to discover which House they’ll be part of throughout their Lower School years.

From service projects and creative activities to plenty of friendly competition, our five houses bring students across grade levels together while putting Country Day’s character virtues into action.

09/01/2026

“During our senior year, CCDS legend Dick Schwab and I served as school officers—Dick as class and school president and me as class and school treasurer—and helped organize a speaker series for morning programs. After watching an alum give an archaeology presentation in Mr. Strauss's art history class, we joked that we could photograph ordinary rocks and invent stories about them. The idea evolved into photographing locations around Cincinnati and pretending they were in Russia. With our classmate Jim Pool and the help of Mr. Lee Pattison, we staged a presentation about Jim's "trip" to Russia, complete with an unseen guide named "Dickoya Schwabensky." The presentation was such a hit that we were invited to give it to the Cincinnati City Planning Committee, and it even earned coverage in the Times-Star.” – Submitted by Tom Block `67

📸 (first two): The three tricksters from an article in "The Scroll" in 1967, and Tom (left) and Jim (right) enjoying lunch together in 2026.

This year, we are celebrating a remarkable milestone: the centennial anniversary of our founding. You are invited to share your favorite memories and reflections from your time at CCDS by visiting https://ccds100.com.

08/25/2026

Our 2025-26 class scholars were announced during Convocation last week. For the Class of 2029, they are Ethan Kern and Itish Singh; for the Class of 2028, they are Ray Chen and Sophie Corwin; and for the Class of 2027, Max Sun, Minna Vens, and Matthew Wood.

"Each year we announce the class scholars at the start of the school year in hopes of acknowledging excellent performance in the classroom and inspiring all students to see the year ahead as a new opportunity to dedicate oneself to scholarship," said Jon Zeljo, head of Upper School, during Convocation. "Academics at Country Day are demanding and require dedication, resilience, tenacity, and courage. Many students who work hard and impress us with their dedication and their ambition; therefore, it is truly an outstanding accomplishment for a student to be named the leading scholar in their class.”

Our 2025-26 class scholars were announced during Convocation in August. For the Class of 2029, they are Ethan Kern and Itish Singh; for the Class of 2028, they are Ray Chen and Sophie Corwin; and for the Class of 2027, Max Sun, Minna Vens, and Matthew Wood.

08/24/2026

🎉 M. Christopher Griffith, M.D. ’81 has been named one of Atlanta’s top doctors by Atlanta Magazine! 🎉

The list recognizes doctors who demonstrate clinical excellence and are highly regarded by both their peers and their patients. Chris specializes in psychiatry and obesity medicine and also teaches at the medical schools of Morehouse College and Emory University in Atlanta. The full list of Atlanta’s top doctors for 2026 is now available in the July issue of Atlanta Magazine.

08/21/2026

"As we pass this milestone, I have no doubt all of you will be continuing an already impressive legacy and paving the way for generations to come. So, let's have a great year, everyone; you are the pioneers for the next century of our school, and the future is bright." - Matthew Wood `27, student council president, in his address to Middle School and Upper School during Convocation.

Seen here: The Class of 2027 processing into Convocation with the Class of 2039. 💙🤍

08/21/2026

From ink and typewriters to digital publishing and back again. 📰

Student journalism has been part of Country Day for nearly a century. Beginning in 1932 with publications like the Sixth Form Journal, The Almanac, and Jim Cooper's News, these early newspapers eventually came together as The Scroll, the student-run publication that continues to tell the stories of our school today. Pictured below is The Scroll board in 1934 (Mr. Heald's class).

While The Scroll moved online in 2009, today's student editors have brought back quarterly print editions, proving that some traditions are worth holding in your hands. As Ali Zimmerman `26, former editor-in-chief (pictured below), shared last school year, returning to print "creates an opportunity for community bonding on the morning of release and facilitates conversation amongst all age groups."

This year, we are celebrating a remarkable milestone: the centennial anniversary of our founding. You are invited to share your favorite memories and reflections from your time at CCDS by visiting https://ccds100.com.

08/20/2026