• About Miami Country Day School

About Miami Country Day School

MCDS Legacy,
Community and Culture

Miami Country Day School is an independent, coeducational, nonprofit learning community with approximately 1,380 students in Pre-Kindergarten 3 through Grade 12, designed to meet the needs of every student, every day, everywhere.
We are rooted in our commitment to educating the whole child – both inside and outside the classroom – a mission that has defined our growth over the past 86 years and continues to advance both our program and community today.
Every student who sets foot on our campus has something to offer – potential to be unlocked. It is our responsibility to give students the freedom to design an education as unique as they are.
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Each learning opportunity is a bridge to the next. A lesson begins in the classroom, initiated by one of our passionate and dedicated teachers, but the momentum doesn’t stop there. We encourage our students to harness their progress, and then build upon it; to take all that they learn inside their classroom walls and apply it further. These opportunities may happen through one of our 36 athletic teams, robust theater and arts programs, extensive offerings of clubs and activities, or even an entrepreneurial endeavor that
activities, or even an entrepreneurial endeavor that fosters leadership qualities and enhances our greater school community. Our community is made up of more than just teachers and classmates. Friends made here often feel like members of our extended family. At MCDS, we know that a strong academic experience begins with strong relationships, which is why we prioritize camaraderie over competition, and encourage parent and family participation every step of the way.
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That feeling of community is palpable as soon as students step onto campus. Nestled in the neighborhood of Miami Shores, we strive to cultivate an environment that is both inviting and inspiring; from the very moment they arrive, our students have access to such experiences as the one-of-a-kind Abess Center for Environmental Studies, fully-equipped Center for the Arts, and the Garner Center for Innovation.
With a culture that nurtures innovation and creativity, and strives for excellence, all while balancing physical and mental wellness, MCDS prepares students for not only college, but for life beyond schooling.
Our students are tomorrow’s leaders, and we prepare them to take on that task with purpose, an enlightened global perspective, and an enduring spirit of kindness. We invite you to explore our school and experience firsthand what makes MCDS a unique community.

Mission

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.
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    • MCDS Vision

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      Purpose

Vision

Our vision is 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.

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We live our mission & core values

List of 5 items.

  • 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
  • WISDOM

    • seek truth
    • collaborate & reflect
    • think holistically
  • HONOR

    • build trust
    • value time & talent
    • fulfill commitments
    • refect integrity

List of 5 items.

  • honor

    living our value of honor means we

    BUILD TRUST
    VALUE TIME & TALENT
    FULFILL COMMITMENTS
    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-refect
  • Respect

    living our value of respect means we

    listen actively
    engage thoughtfully
    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 ever individual with dignity, uphold onclusivity, and foster a respectful environment
  • purpose

    living our value of purpose means we

    act with intention
    innovate & inspire
    adapt & grow
    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
  • COMPASSION

    living our value of COMPASSION means we

    show empathy
    Communicate with care
    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
  • WISDOM

    living our value of WISDOM means we

    seek truth
    collaborate & reflect
    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

A Message from Mariandl Hufford

President and Head of School​
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I am delighted to welcome you to Miami Country Day School. Core to our mission is the belief that a great school values every student, every day, and when you visit our campus, the reality of this principle is palpable. Our gifted and dedicated faculty and staff are not only experts in their fields, they are also committed to helping each young person in their care discover what they are urgently curious about, the impact they can make on their communities, and the creativity that is fundamental to progress. Our students are engaged scholars, compassionate leaders, athletes of character, and joyful artists. They are remarkable human beings, each in their own right, who thrive because of the strength of relationships with which we surround them.
Miami itself is an international city that is a constantly expanding epicenter of culture and business. In the middle of this beautiful and widespread metropolis, Miami Country Day offers families a true sense of community. I invite you to visit with us on-line or schedule a personalized tour to experience first-hand our warm, engaging, and welcoming community.
I hope to see you on campus soon.
Sincerely,
Mariandl Hufford
President and Head of School
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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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