About Miami Country Day School

Every day, we are called to do more than teach content.

We are called to inspire possibility, cultivate character, and empower young people to lead lives of purpose. We believe that what students become is just as important as what they know.

That belief guides everything we do.

We build courageous learners and deeply good humans.

We blend rigor, relevance, and real-world experience into everyday learning.

We believe relationships, belonging, and character matter as much as achievement.

We honor tradition while designing boldly for the future.

We are a one-school community driven by purpose, curiosity, compassion, and growth.

Teacher helping MCDS students with an assignment in the classroom

This is who we are

A community that challenges minds and nurtures hearts.
A school that believes excellence and humanity belong together.
A place where students discover their potential, develop their character, and learn to make a meaningful difference in the world.

This is our promise.
This is our purpose.
This is Miami Country Day School.

Our Mission Statement

Miami Country Day School empowers every student, every day, everywhere to learn with vigor, explore with purpose, strive for excellence, and serve with honor, respect, and compassion as global citizens.

We do this in a community where every student is known and included by engaging the whole child, in and out of the classroom, as they discover their full potential.

OUR VISION

To be a global PK-12 school community where excellence in values-based, purposeful, and experiential learning happens for every student, every day, everywhere: at home, in the classroom, in Miami, and around the globe.

MDS students talking at an outdoor picnic table

Upper School student taking notes beside a laptop

Our Core Values

At Miami Country Day School, our core values guide how we learn, lead, and care for one another, helping every
student grow with purpose, honor, respect, compassion, and wisdom.

Living our value of HONOR means

We build trust, value time & talent, fulfill commitments, and reflect integrity

Believe in positive intent, have courageous conversations, communicate openly, and work collaboratively
Be organized, plan effectively, and respect others’ contributions
Show up, be responsive, follow through, and maintain a strong work ethic
Take pride in your work, lead by example, and continuously self-reflect

Living our value of RESPECT means

We listen actively, engage thoughtfully, and nurture belonging

Practice conflict resolution skills, listen with empathy, seek understanding, and value all perspectives
Approach all interactions with kindness and empathy, ensuring everyone feels heard and valued
Treat every individual with dignity, uphold inclusivity, and foster a respectful environment

Living our value of PURPOSE means

We act with intention, innovate & inspire, adapt & grow, and contribute & persevere

Align actions with goals, make thoughtful decisions & stay focused on priorities
Motivate others, foster engagement & strive for excellence
Prepare thoroughly, remain flexible & continually refine work based on new insights
Commit to meaningful work, overcome challenges & uplift others along the way

Living our value of COMPASSION means

We show empathy, communicate with care, and act considerately

Acknowledge others’ feelings & humanize interactions, seeing the humanity in everyone
Use supportive language, offer constructive feedback & nurture positive relationships
Prepare thoroughly, remain flexible & continually refine work based on new insights

Living our value of WISDOM means

We seek truth, collaborate & reflect, and think holistically

Stay curious, open to learning & committed to intellectual growth
Connect and engage with others, think critically & lead by example
Consider the big picture, contextualize information & remain humble in your expertise

MCDS staff member posing with students outdoors

Profile of an Educator

Honor

Build trust

Value time & talent

Fulfill commitments

Refect integrity

Wisdom

Seek truth

Collaborate & reflect

Think holistically

Respect

Listen actively

Engage thoughtfully

Nurture belonging

Purpose

Act with intention

Innovate & inspire

Adapt & grow

Contribute & persevere

Compassion

Show empathy

Communicate with care

Act considerately

Spartan Pledge

The Spartan Pledge unites our community around a shared commitment to learning from one another and engaging the world.
As part of our commitment to fostering a supportive and respectful environment, we ask each family to join us in affirming the Spartan Pledge. This pledge is a promise to place our children at the center of all we do and to uphold the values of purpose, respect, compassion, honor, and wisdom. It emphasizes our dedication to valuing diverse perspectives, shared experiences, and the dignity of every community member.

As a member of the Spartan community, I put children at the center of all I do and say by modeling our values of purpose, respect, compassion, honor, and wisdom. I value diverse perspectives, shared experiences, and uphold the dignity of each member of our global community.