Traditions & History
Founded in 1926, Country Day has many traditions that span our 90-plus year history. From graduation for seniors to house reveal to the Halloween parade, our traditions connect our past to the present.
The traditions below are just a few of the many that span our entire school community and signify the important milestones, events, and programs that prepare students to become exemplary citizens, confident leaders, and the very best versions of themselves.
Traditions
Opening Convocation and Closing Ceremony
The new school year is bookended by two all-school gatherings in the outdoor amphitheater. The head of school welcomes students, staff, and teachers back to a fresh start during the Opening Convocation and celebrates the end of another successful year at the Closing Ceremony.
FallFest, Homecoming and Reunion Weekend
The new school year is bookended by two all-school gatherings in the outdoor amphitheater. The head of school welcomes students, staff, and teachers back to a fresh start during the Opening Convocation and celebrates the end of another successful year at the Closing Ceremony.
Turkey Train and Wrap-in
These two annual service events teach students empathy by helping others less fortunate. Middle School students bring frozen turkeys and pass them bucket brigade style to a freezer truck, while other students provide non-perishables for a Thanksgiving meal. During Wrap-In, students bring a holiday gift for a child his or her age. Older and younger students are paired to wrap their gifts, one of many ways Country Day intentionally joins students across divisions to work and learn together. The food and gifts are donated to non-profits that distribute them to their clients.
Last Bell & Clap-Out
The Last Bell, when seniors gather in the upper school commons for the last bell of their last day of school, is the first of several emotional events leading to graduation. Next is the Clap-Out, when teachers, staff, and students from all divisions line the sidewalks to clap as seniors walk by wearing spirit wear from the college where they will matriculate in the fall. Families of the graduates line the end of the route and mingle afterward. Needless to say, there are tears, hugs, and plenty of smiles.
Pen Flip
Alumni call this quirky sleight of hand with a pen the definitive way to identify a fellow CCDS alum while traveling across the country or the globe. Many alums report seeing a stranger doing a pen flip and making an instant connection by asking, “Did you go to Cincinnati Country Day School?” Click here to see the pen flip video.
Halloween Parades
A favorite tradition of seniors, they dress in costumes and walk through the lower school or stadium track to bestow mass quantities of candy upon students. The young learners, many also sporting their own Halloween costumes, eagerly await this memorable - and tasty! - interaction with their older peers.
Class Trips
Overnight class trips give students opportunities to bond and create lasting memories. Fifth graders head to Clymer, New York, in January for a ski trip focused on teamwork and resilience. Sixth graders visit Camp Joy in April for an astronomy program and ropes course. Seventh graders travel to Cherokee, North Carolina, in May to explore Native American culture, go whitewater rafting, and hike in the mountains. Eighth graders tour Washington, D.C., in October, visiting the Smithsonian, Holocaust Museum, Arlington National Cemetery, and Lincoln Memorial. Juniors take on ziplining and whitewater rafting during their September trip to Lansing, West Virginia.
Senior Surprise
You never know when it's coming! Senior Surprises are part of the mystery of senior year. Organized by a committee of senior parents, these surprises range from a nacho bar to bucket hats to a Graeter's ice cream truck.
Lifer Tree Planting
Dating back to 2015, the lifer tree symbolizes the start of a Country Day student's journey throughout the school. Each year, the kindergarten class plants a tree on the campus in the Lifer Tree Grove. The following species have been planted: Bur Oak, Chinkapin Oak, Shingle Oak, White Oak, Shumard Oak, Patriot Elm, Yellow Buckeye, and Kentucky Coffeetree.
House Reveal
One of the Lower School's best days of the year is New Student House Reveal Day! New students and faculty discover which house they will join for the rest of their time in Lower School. The houses reflect the school's character virtues - compassion (blue), courage (yellow), integrity (orange), respect (green), and responsibility (purple). Houses participate in activities together, such as writing note of encouragement, making art, and service projects.
Eighth-Grade Musical
The eighth-grade musical is a cherished Cincinnati Country Day School tradition and a vibrant expression of the school’s commitment to the arts. Since its debut production of Grease in 1987–88, the program has ensured that every eighth grader participates in the production each year, giving every student a moment in the spotlight. Through singing, acting, dancing, and working behind the scenes, students stretch beyond their comfort zones, develop strong public speaking skills, and experience the power of teamwork and shared accomplishment.
History
Much has changed at CCDS over its 100-year history; however, there are discernable threads in the school’s educational design that inspire and sustain all those who become a part of this community. From its inception, CCDS has been a place where academic excellence is pursued. Teachers challenge and empower children to discover and develop their interests in the arts and sciences, humanities, athletics, moral and ethical citizenship, and to participate today and in the future in arenas both local and global.
A not-to-be-overlooked component of the school’s identity is interplay between the natural beauty of its Indian Hill location and CCDS’s modernist architecture.