Tucson Country Day School -
Charter School

School History

Tucson Country Day School (TCDS) was established as a charter school in 2000 by the Arizona Department of Education. Prior to receiving its "charter", the school operated as a private school from 1968 through 2000 serving more than 300 pre-school through sixth grade students. The school was renowned for its academic programs, and for Camp Adventure, a program that continues to provide social and skill developmental opportunities for more than 400 students each summer.

During the past seven years, Tucson Country Day School school has grown in enrollment (capacity 700) and facilities, and is now serving students from pre-school through eighth grade. Past and present efforts to expand the school facilities and implement research-based programs that impact student learning are directly attributed to Mr. Richard Cooper, founder and owner of TCDS, who has committed his life to ensuring quality education is afforded to every student who is enrolled.

Administration/Staff

The educational experience and states certification of staff continues to enhance school programs that allow TCDS to be a leader among Arizona charter schools. Each staff member is meticulously screened and interviewed to ensure that their talents, skills and commitment are at the highest of levels. Parents are invited to review the resumes of both the administration and teachers.

Leadership

Founder: Mr. Richard Cooper
Principal: Dr. Mark Saliba, PhD
Assistant Principal: Ms. Anne Weise
Middle School Director: Mrs. Cindy Kappler
Chief Financial Officer: Mr. Andy Robles
Administrative Assistant: Ms. Susie Gallardo
Early Learning Director: Ms. Wanda Vinson
Exceptional Education Program Director: Ms. Kelly Everett

Office Staff

Attendance/Health Clerk: Ms. Nicky Brown
Student Services: Ms. Stacey Love
Office and Program Support: Ms. Debbie Ross

Academic Standards

The Arizona Department of Education requires all school to include state standards in their instruction at all grade levels. These standards are available for viewing on line and include all content areas. Student learning is measured each quarter in grades K-8 and is assessed yearly by the Arizona Department of Education through the administration of the TERRA NOVA (2nd grade) and the Arizona Instrument to Measure Success (AIMS, grades 3-8).

Currently, the state assesses student learning in Mathematics, Language Arts and Reading. Beginning next year, Science will be included in the state testing.

School Information

Location

Address: 9239 E. Wrightstown Road, Tucson Arizona 85715
Main Phone: (520) 296-0883

TCDS Class Sizes

Grades Kindergarten through Third, Primary Levels: 1:19

Grades Four and Five, Intermediate Level: 1:19

Grades Six through Eight, Middle School: 1:24

School Hours - NEW for 2009-2010 School Year

Grades 4-8: 8:00 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.

Grades K-3: 8:40 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Office Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

School Programs

Art: Students in 1st-5th grade attend Art class once each week; 6th graders attend every day for 12 weeks and 7th and 8th graders attend Art as an elective for one semester.  Our Art teacher works closely with our kindergarten and first grade teachers to design age appropriate art projects that can be completed in the classroom.

Music: Students in K-5th attend Music class once each week; 6th graders attend every day for 12 weeks and 7th and 8th graders can choose to participate in a Muscial Theater class.

Physical Education: Students in K-5 attend a Physical Education class one time each week.  Middle School students attend PE two or three times per week, depending the grade they are in.

Reading (Trophies): K-5

Spanish: Students in K-5 attend a Spanish class once each week. At the Middle School level, Spanish is a core class that students attend two to three times per week.

Special Education: K-8

StarBase (aviation/space): A five week program offered at Davis Monthan Air Force Base for selected 5th graders.

Technology: Students in K-5 attend a Technology class once per week. At the Middle School level, 6th graders take Technology every day for 12 weeks; 7th and 8th graders can choose to take a digital media course or computer applications. 

Instruction

Best instructional practices, supported with technology, are implemented at each grade level. Students are engaged in classroom learning situations that often require in-depth analysis, critical thinking and application of their learning to real-life situation. This requires students to become actively involved in their own education through discussion/presentations, self-reflection, teamwork, and a commitment to complete assignments with excellence.

 

School Uniforms

Students at TCDS wear uniforms as follows:

-   PreSchool/PreK: no uniforms

-   Kindergarten/First grade: plain white shirts with a collar, navy blue bottoms 

-   Second and Third grades: plain yellow shirts with a collar, navy blue bottoms 

-   Fourth and Fifth graders: plain red shirts with a collar, navy blue bottoms 

-   Sixth graders: plain sky blue shirts with a collar, navy blue bottoms 

-   Seventh graders: plain kelly green shirts with a collar, navy blue bottoms 

-   Eighth graders: plain navy blue shirts with a collar, khaki bottoms 

Bottom of shorts, skirts, skorts and jumpers must be at least the length of the middle finger when the arm is extended straight down the side of the leg.  Athletic pants or shorts and jeans are not permitted.

Shirts and bottoms must be a solid color and cannot have monograms, stripes, logos or other markings on them.

 

Extra Curricular Programs

Basketball (Girls, grades 5-8 and Boys, grades 5-8)

Soccer (Girls, grades 5-8 and Boys, grades 5-8)

Flag Football (Boys, grades 5-8)

Softball (Girls, grades 5-8)

Jump Rope (co-ed, grades K-8)

Student Council (Grades 6-8)

Cheerleading (co-ed, grades 5-8)

School Communications

Parents/guardians may communicate directly with their student's teacher(s) by e-mail and also by checking class/homework assignments on the school's E-Planner. A school newsletter is sent home each month that provides information on school activities, new programs and other school related areas. Teachers (K-5) inform their parents of weekly academic and school activities through a class newsletter.  Middle School parents can access the school's online grading system to see how their student is doing at anytime.

Student Parent Association (SPA)

Parents are actively involved in a variety of activities that directly support school programs. Such activities include classroom volunteers, chaperoning, fund raising, taking part in the interview process for selecting teachers, and many student activities to include the Track and Field Olympiad. Monthly meetings are held on campus. Learn more about your SPA here.

Admission Procedures

Prospective students are assessed in mathematics, reading and writing at the school.  Students are placed in the grade level that is appropriate based on their assessment results and any  other relevant factors.

Interviews with parents and student(s) are scheduled after completion of the assessments.

Parents are required to bring the student's birth certificate, current report card, attendance/tardy records and TERRA NOVA or AIMS results.

Parents are notified of acceptance into TCDS upon availability of space.