News & Events
News
2026
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Catching Up with Jonah De Simone ‘18, An On-Ice Body Double in Heated Rivalry
Read MoreBy Zach LawtonWhen Jonah De Simone ’18 left CDS in Grade 10, his path was set on ice. A standout athlete who moved from the CDS Cyclones to the OHL’s Niagara IceDogs and eventually the University of Guelph Gryphons, Jonah has always been defined by his determination and friendly personality. However, after a series of concussions playing university hockey, Jonah decided that it was time for a priority shift from hockey to his accounting degree.But for Jonah, the end of his competitive career wasn't the end of his relationship with the game. Instead, it was the beginning of a unique opportunity on a hockey show, a portion that was filmed in Guelph, that brought him attention both on campus and across Canada. -
JKs Learn the Importance of Eating a Rainbow Every Day
Last week, our JKs filed into the Dining Hall first thing in the morning for a health lesson to learn about where the school's food is prepared, healthy eating, and how to create a rainbow plate. Chef Julie and Clare Barker, Aramark’s Registered Dietitian, led this interactive session about the importance of eating a rainbow every day.Read MoreBoth spoke to the students about how good it feels to eat more fruits and vegetables rather than cookies and candy. They explained that not only does your body feel stronger, but you also get sick less often; your eyes and brain perform better, and therefore, learning is enhanced.
In addition to the JK visit, all Junior School classrooms received a surprise rainbow fruit platter for morning snack. The lunch salad bars were also beautifully arranged by the colours of the rainbow featuring fruit and veggies, and JKs created healthy rainbow artwork as part of the display.
As educators at CDS, we feel it is important to demonstrate healthy choices to our students so that they can continue to make them at home and in our wonderful Dining Hall. Go Rainbow! -
JS Hour of code
Read MoreBy Lara GeeLast week’s Hour of Code was an outstanding success in the Junior School! From JK to Grade 6, all students dove headfirst into the world of computer science. Our youngest learners had fun coding with VEX Robotics. JK helped Bob find his way back to the music room, while SK programmed robots on a space adventure!Grades 1 & 2 brought stories to life with Scratch Jr. and busted a move with Dance Party coding. Grade 3 tackled AI and ocean conservation, Grade 4 remixed beats in Music Lab, and Grade 5 explored the magic of Microbits. Grade 6 debated the ethics of AI and tested their critical thinking using different applications.It was a week filled with fun, learning, and future-ready skills! -
Our Grade 6 Students Saved Montserrat!
Read MoreBy Jason WoodLast Thursday, Mr. Wood ran a cinematic STEM experience for all three Grade 6 classes based on a program that he developed from his experience at the Ontario Science Centre.Save Montserrat is an immersive educational simulation tailored for students in Grades 3-8 where young learners step into the shoes of the United Nations Disaster Relief organization amidst a natural disaster crisis on one of the world's most dangerous islands. -
Senior School AI Student Advisory Group & Recent Faculty PD
On January 8th, Mr. Viotto and Ms. Williams, both members of the AI Faculty Advisory Group, invited a group of interested students in Grades 9–12 to participate in an AI Student Advisory Group. At the first lunch session, they shared how CDS has been exploring Generative AI for the past two years. The school has focused on providing Professional Development to faculty and staff, and is now getting closer to rolling out a plan for the responsible integration of AI to its students and parents.Read More -
Visual FX & Makeup Artist Visits CDS
Our Grade 10 Visual Design students levelled up their skills this week during an immersive FX and Prosthetics makeup workshop led by pro artist Jessica Buchanan. Students got behind the brush to master the technical side of character design, learning the high-level artistry required for the big screen.Read More
Jessica then went on to join the school costume crew after school to do Zombie makeup for the upcoming Senior School production of The Addams Family.
It was an incredible afternoon of messy, brilliant, and realistic creativity! -
Winter Game Day at Zancor Centre Feb. 2: Everyone Welcome!
The Senior School is thrilled to host its 3rd annual Winter Game Day Monday, February 2. Senior School students are invited to wear their CDS sweaters or Spirit Wear over their uniform Monday.Read MoreParents, faculty, and alumni are warmly invited to the Zancor Centre to cheer on our teams. We have simultaneous puck drops at 2:00 p.m. featuring:- Senior Boys vs. Villanova College
- Senior Girls vs. Greenwood College School
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An Important Message from School Leadership
Read MoreDear Community,After much reflection, I have made the long considered decision to retire as Head of School at the conclusion of the next academic year, in June 2027. I am grateful to have received the full support of the Board of Directors as we plan thoughtfully for this transition.It has been the greatest professional privilege of my career to serve this community as Head of School for the past 15 years. It was an honour to have been passed the torch from all of the creators, adherents and supporters of the school who have worked together to evolve The Country Day School into a unique and familial community of learning. It is time to pass the torch onwards so the CDS team can continue to craft and forge the specialness of our school and deliver on our promise to provide an education with balance. -
A Twist on the Classic: Grade 9s Venture Downtown for & Juliet
By Patrick DermodyRead MoreOn Wednesday, our Grade 9 students braved the snow and the cold, venturing into Downtown Toronto for a matinee performance of the hit musical, & Juliet.Not only were students treated to a spectacle of song, dance, and Shakespeare, but they also saw firsthand how the work of William Shakespeare continues to be adapted, even centuries after the fact. -
Impressive Results at Junior Public Speaking Qualifier
By Andrea DavidsonRead More
Last Saturday, 14 students from Grades 8 and 9 competed in the Junior Public Speaking qualifier tournament held at CDS. Students were required to perform a memorized persuasive speech, an interpretive reading, one round of parliamentary debate, as well as deliver an impromptu speech.
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Intellectual Humility Part 2: The Courage to Change Course
At last week's Academic Assembly, two of our Grade 12 students shared highlights from their academic journeys following Mr. Harvey's remarks on intellectual humility. In preparation for tomorrow's course selection deadline, we thought it of interest to share their journeys.Read More
Both Vanessa Gianikos (has been at CDS since Grade 4) and Preston Baichoo (arrived in Grade 9) entered high school thinking they had "everything figured out," but their interests and what they thought they knew changed along the way. They learned that intellectual humility involves being willing to revise what you think you know about yourself and recalibrate when necessary. -
Young Scientists Shine & Inform at Middle School Science Fair
Read MoreLast Friday and again today, Ms. Yu hosted a Middle School Science Fair in the Science Lab for her four Grade 8 classes. Faculty and staff judges, both with and without science backgrounds, were assigned groups to evaluate and were amazed at the knowledge and ingenuity on display.In December, Ms. Yu tasked her students with choosing a topic that sparked their curiosity. They researched their questions, developed hypotheses, and designed experiments to test them. After careful observation and data collection, they analyzed their results and documented thoughtful conclusions. -
Canadian Senior & Intermediate Mathematics Contests
Read MoreBy Krista EdwardsIn November, we had 39 motivated CDS students rise to the challenge of competing in either the Canadian Senior Mathematics Competition (CSMC) or the Canadian Intermediate Math Competition (CIMC). Both contests are two hours in duration, require full solutions, and provide students with opportunities to demonstrate an excellent knowledge of various mathematical topics. -
CDS Summer Camp - Registration Opens Feb. 4!
Read MoreDue to extensive renovations scheduled for summer 2026, our CDS Summer Camp will run for two weeks only this year from June 15-26 and be offered to CDS families exclusively (current CDS students, siblings and new CDS students starting September 2026). CDS Summer School will be unaffected.
We regret that we are not able to welcome back campers from other schools because of the construction on our campus and limited spots. For these families, we wanted to let you know about this decision well in advance so that you can make alternate plans for your children this summer. -
JS Student Artwork Named Finalist in CAIS Holiday Card Contest
Read Moreby Jo-Anne KuchmakAt the JS Assembly this week, Visual Art teacher Jo-Anne Kuchmak shared that once again this year we had some exceptional artwork submitted to the voluntary contest CAIS hosts open to students in Grades 4, 5, and 6, as well as Middle and Senior School students from independent schools across Canada."It’s an exciting opportunity and one that has become a valued tradition in the Junior School," Ms. Kuchmak said. "In the past, we have had many students who were keen to take a risk and put their artwork out there for consideration. Each CAIS school is only allowed to submit five pieces of art and that can be tricky as we often have many students who participate. The artwork submitted this year was so well done that a second pair of eyes was needed to help select which five pieces to submit. Ms. Wildberger stepped up to help act as a judge, and together we were able to select our top choices." -
Ms. Kuchmak went on to congratulate Avery Han from Grade 5, Chloe Mac from Grade 6, Krisha King, Scarlett Luong, and Katrina Hupa in Grade 4. She asked these five students to stand up and be recognized for creating pieces that showed care, effort, time an
Read MoreBy Jenna Romanowich
Our Grade 8's officially stepped into the world of AI literacy this week! As they reach the age to engage with these powerful tools, we are ensuring they do not just use AI—they understand it.Through a series of "unplugged" games, our students pulled back the curtain on how Generative AI actually functions. They became: -
MS/SS Academic Assembly & Mr. Harvey's Take on Intellectual Humility
Monday’s Middle/Senior Academic Assembly was a powerful showcase of student achievement as we proudly recognized our Math Contest winners and celebrated academic successes from across the school.Read More
Beyond the numbers, we explored the essential role of the Arts and introduced a new Grade 12 course next year: Recreation and Healthy Active Living and Leadership. -
Sushi Making Cooking Class for CDS Parents
Read MoreThe CDS Parent Association invites you to join them for a hands-on sushi-making class on Thursday, February 5th, beginning at 6:30 pm. in the Niczowski, Temovsky, Arrigo Dining Hall at CDS. Chef Juliette from Bento Sushi will lead the class.The evening will begin with a sushi-making demonstration, featuring helpful tips and techniques you can use at home. Afterward, everyone will have the chance to create their own sushi and enjoy their creations!Open to adults only. The cost is $40 per registrant and space is limited. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at events@cds.on.ca.We hope you can join us! REGISTER HERE -
The Grade 6 Trading Floor Was Open this Week!
Read MoreBy Shannon StreetEarlier this week, our Grade 6 classes had the opportunity to practise their financial literacy skills through investing. Set in the fictional world of Cookie’s Landing, they had the chance to buy stocks in such businesses as Kuchmart, Street’s Treats, and Woody’s Wheels. Students analyzed scripts and hunted for market hints to decide which companies to invest in.After hearing pitches from "company owners" (their teachers!), students raced to buy their stocks based on which businesses they thought would succeed. -
Beyond Resolutions: A Balanced Start to the New Year
Read MoreThe following are remarks by Mr. Danny Viotto, Director of Senior School, from Monday's Academic Assembly:Good morning everyone, Happy New Year, and welcome back.It’s so great to see you all again and be back at CDS. I hope the winter break gave you time to rest, reconnect, and maybe slow down —before your alarm clock went off this morning and reminded you it was time to jump back into the routine again. -
CDS Summer School 2026
Read MoreOnline registration opens Monday, January 26 for CDS students (further details for registration to come).CDS Summer School classes are in-person and will run Monday, June 22 to Thursday, July 16 (no class, Wednesday, July 1). -
Course Selection 2026/27
Read MoreIt’s hard to believe, but we are beginning to plan for the next academic year already! Please note the following key dates and information:Tuesday, January 6 to Friday, January 9 - Course Selection Process Visits and Resources: Members of the Student Services and Post-Secondary Counselling teams are currently visiting Grades 8-11 classes to explain the 2026/2027 course selection process. -
SS Artists Explore Shoe Design at The Bata Shoe Museum
Read MoreBy Sarah Barbanchon and Heather CastellanBefore the holiday break, students in Grade 10 Visual Design and Grade 11 Art classes spent the morning touring the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto, focusing on the evolution of footwear and symbolism throughout the ages.Students explored various exhibits, culminating in the hands-on sneaker design activity. This activity integrated Fashion Design aspects of the Grade 10 course and the Industrial Design unit of the Grade 11 course.
Our students had a lot of fun creating a small prototype of their sneaker! -
Volunteers needed!
Read MoreWe have two upcoming events looking for community volunteers:Junior Provincial Public Speaking Championships - Saturday, January 17thCDS DECA - Friday, February 6thFurther details below:
Land Acknowledgment
The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.
School Information
Junior, Middle and Senior Schools
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
