Georgetown Day School is a progressive PK-12 school committed to academic excellence, educational innovation, and social justice. This co-educational independent school has 1,045 students on a single unified campus in Washington, D.C. Georgetown Day School opened its doors in 1945 as the first integrated school in a segregated city. Governed by a Board of Trustees elected by the parent body and administered by an appointed Head of School, it was founded by seven families who wanted to create a school committed not only to academic excellence and educational innovation but also to a value system emphasizing appreciation and respect for others. Because they wanted children of all races and religious backgrounds to learn together, the founders established GDS as a school where all would be welcome. Today, the School's philosophy and goals strongly reflect its roots. Maintaining a diverse community of students, teachers, and parents continues to be a primary objective of the School's administration and Board of Trustees. Committed to fostering the intellectual, ethical, and spiritual dimensions of its students’ lives, GDS encourages respect for the variety of beliefs represented in the student body. Through different holidays, the School celebrates universal messages of thanksgiving, peace, equality, freedom, and respect. Georgetown Day School students receive a comprehensive education designed to prepare them for a lifetime of learning and a healthy appreciation of their world and their opportunities. GDS believes that the educational development of the whole person requires rigorous study of academic subjects, in-depth exposure to the arts, regular opportunities for physical education and athletics, and involvement in extracurricular activities and community service. Believing that each young person is unique and has special gifts, the School recognizes that identifying and fostering the growth of these individual talents is one of its most challenging responsibilities. Noted for the depth and breadth of their knowledge and for their personal concern for the students they teach and advise, our teachers are essential to the GDS ethos. When hiring faculty, the School looks for men and women who embody its values and who spark enthusiasm for learning. Within a carefully designed and coordinated curriculum, teachers have considerable freedom to create and maintain the best atmosphere and structure for learning in their indi-vidual classrooms. At Georgetown Day School, we strive to create the best possible school world for the students and families we serve. We expect students to respect others, to appreciate others' successes, and to work hard toward their own.
