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Scholarships

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Scholarship recipient

Miami Country Day School offers merit and need-based scholarships. These scholarships remain with the student until graduation and are renewable each year based on academic performance and other scholarship criteria.

At MCDS, we take pride in our independent school status and the opportunities it allows us to provide a truly exceptional education. While we don't participate in Step Up For Students or Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA), we are excited to offer a robust tuition assistance program for students in 6th grade and above, that helps support and enrich the lives of many families within our community.

The District 3 Opportunity Scholarship offers five need-based scholarships to Lower School students in Miami-Dade County’s District 3 for the 2025-2026 school year, covering tuition and educational expenses through graduation. Eligible students must reside in District 3, show financial need, and demonstrate strong academic potential.
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Garner Scholar Award

The Garner Scholar Award is awarded to those students that qualify to become members of the Garners Scholar Program. This program is available to all eligible rising or incoming 9th graders*. The award is based on the cumulative Middle School performance with a heavy focus on the 8th grade year. Students are evaluated and invited into the Garner Scholars Program based on the following criteria:
  • Middle School 8th grade fall term (semester) unweighted GPA of 4.0 or higher
  • Must be enrolled in at least three honors or accelerated courses
  • Earn no lower than a grade of B+ in all honors or accelerated courses
  • Have no grade lower than a B- in elective and non-honor courses
  • In addition to high academic achievement, students must have a conduct record aligned with the core values of Miami Country Day School.
Students awarded the Garner Scholar Award will receive recognition and funds to supplement academic enrichment opportunities, such as The AI Program (with Stanford University), Social Innovators Program (with the University of Pennsylvania), summer academic acceleration, X-term, GATEway, or it can also be applied towards tuition. 

Tuition assistance is available to families who demonstrate financial need through the tuition assistance application process and can be awarded in addition to the Garner Scholar Award. Please click here to learn more.

Note: There is no application process for this program and award.

*Current MCDS 9th grade students will be re-evaluated against the criteria at the end of the fall term for final consideration for entrance into the program.
 

Cerami

The Joseph Paul Cerami Memorial Scholarship was established in 1992 in memory of Joe Cerami ‘75 (1960-1992). His family, friends, and classmates believe the scholarship is the most meaningful way to keep Joe’s memory alive. 

Joe was an unusually gifted person who loved his years at Miami Country Day School. He was a first-rate student, a talented athlete, and a campus leader. The scholarship will be offered to someone who demonstrates Joe’s qualities. 
  • Student must be entering the 9th grade
  • Student must have a minimum of a “B” average in all core courses
  • Participate in at least one interscholastic sports team each year 
  • Participate in at least one extra-curricular activity each year
  • Show evidence of school and community service/citizenship 
  • Demonstrate financial need 
  • Awarded every fourth year: 2027, 2031, 2035 and every fourth year after. 
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Breakthrough Miami

The Christopher N. Bellow Breakthrough Trustee Scholarship for Breakthrough Miami Scholars provides an opportunity for qualified and deserving students to reach their full potential. The fully paid four-year scholarship will be awarded to two deserving Breakthrough Scholars. These students will far exceed the expectations of what it means to be a Breakthrough Scholar and a Miami Country Day School student. The scholarship will be awarded based on the following criteria:
  • For students entering 6th through 9th grade
  • Be enrolled with excellent attendance in the Breakthrough Miami Scholars program
  • Have a minimum of a “B” average in all core courses
  • Participate in at least one extra-curricular activity each year
  • Show financial need through the tuition assistance application process

DuBois

The John C. DuBois Memorial Scholarship is a fully paid four-year scholarship established in 1992 by the Alumni Association to honor Mr. Jack DuBois, who was a member of the Country Day Family for over 50 years as a teacher, coach, administrator, and Alumni Director. The scholarship will be awarded based on the following criteria:
  • Student must be entering the 9th grade
  • Have a minimum of a “B” average in all core courses
  • Participate in at least one interscholastic sports team each year
  • Participate in at least one extracurricular activity each year
  • Show evidence of school and community service/citizenship
  • Show financial need through the Financial Aid application process
  • Awarded every fourth year: 2025, 2029, 2033, and every fourth year after
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MCDS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by Federal, State, or local laws.
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