Balance
The Arts
At The Country Day School, we believe that a truly exceptional education balances the pursuit of knowledge with the freedom to imagine, explore, and create. That’s why the arts are never considered secondary here—they are a vital part of our JK-12 experience, enriching students’ minds, nurturing their passions, and inspiring lifelong creativity.
From visual art and drama to music, every student has the opportunity to discover and develop their talents. Through classroom learning, bands and choirs, art installations, drama productions, and school-wide performances, students engage in meaningful artistic expression. Travel and performance opportunities further broaden their horizons, allowing them to share their gifts beyond campus.
At CDS, academic rigor and artistic exploration go hand in hand—because a balanced education shapes not only bright minds but also imaginative, confident, and well-rounded individuals.
We invite you to visit and experience firsthand how imagination thrives at CDS.
Drama and Theatre Arts at CDS
The Drama and Theatre Arts program at The Country Day School is built on a foundation of skill, creativity, and self-expression. With a focus on the practical tools needed for both physical and vocal performance, our program empowers students to find their unique voice on stage and beyond. Our guiding mantra—Dedication. Vision. Craft.—reflects our belief that theatre is a powerful blend of determination, imagination, and technique, requiring both a sense of play and disciplined effort.
Our state-of-the-art Performing Arts Centre provides the perfect setting for students to learn, experiment, and shine. At CDS, the Arts are considered an essential part of a child’s education—just as important as reading, writing, and mathematics—in shaping well-rounded, confident individuals.
While our program provides strong preparation for students interested in pursuing theatre at the post-secondary level, its greatest value lies in the lifelong skills it nurtures: self-awareness, confidence, empathy, creative and critical thinking, persuasive communication, collaboration, and the ability to manage complex projects.
CDS drama productions are known for their inventiveness and professional quality. Students take on a wide range of leadership roles—on stage, behind the scenes, and in design and management—gaining real-world experience in all aspects of theatre production.
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The Into the Breach (ITB) Theatre Company @ CDS celebrates the courage, resilience and strength of the creative act. Its members are agents of change who, with dedication, vision and craft, construct empathy, possibility and understanding.
Music at CDS
At The Country Day School, music education is led by dedicated specialists in both instrumental and vocal instruction. Within our state-of-the-art Performing Arts Centre, students of all ages immerse themselves in a rich and varied program that explores diverse genres, cultures, and historical periods of music. They are encouraged to listen deeply, think creatively, and respond expressively to the music they encounter.
CDS students are recognized for their exceptional performance skills, nurtured through a repertoire-based approach that builds strong musicianship step by step. Whether on stage, in the classroom, or collaborating with peers, students gain the skills and confidence to enjoy a lifetime of music-making and a lasting appreciation for the art of sound.
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Vocal Music
At CDS, every student’s musical journey begins with the joy of song and movement in the early years, laying the foundation for a lifelong love of music. Beginning in Grade 2, students join a formal choir program that nurtures vocal technique, confidence, and teamwork, preparing them for participation in our Primary and Junior Choirs. From Grade 4 through Grade 12, vocal music also flourishes as an extracurricular option, offering students the chance to perform, grow, and shine as part of:
- Junior Choir (Grades 4–6)
- Middle School Choir (Grades 7–8)
- Senior School Choir (Grades 9–12)
- Soul Band (Grades 9-12)
Instrumental Music
Students are introduced to instrumental music in Grades 3 and 4 through the recorder and Orff instruments, sparking curiosity and foundational skills. By Grade 5, they begin playing a band instrument—brass or woodwind—continuing with guided instruction through Grade 12. Beyond the classroom, students can join a variety of ensembles, including:
Students are introduced to instrumental music in Grades 3 and 4 through the recorder and Orff instruments, sparking curiosity and foundational skills. By Grade 5, they begin playing a band instrument—brass or woodwind—continuing with guided instruction through Grade 12. Beyond the classroom, students can join a variety of ensembles, including:
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Middle School Band (Grades 7–8)
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Middle School Jazz Band (Grades 7–8)
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Senior School Concert Band (Grades 9–12)
- Senior School Jazz Band (Grades 9–12)
- Soul Band (Grades 9-12)
Performing and Beyond
From school assemblies and concerts to regional and provincial music festivals, our vocalists and instrumentalists have countless opportunities to perform and share their talents. Students regularly attend events such as the Ontario Band Festival and Heritage Music Festival, with travel opportunities to cities like Boston, New York, and Chicago for specialized workshops and performances. Senior music students also have the chance to take their talents abroad, performing internationally in destinations such as Budapest, Prague, Italy, and Spain—experiences that broaden their horizons and inspire a lifelong connection to music.
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Visual Arts
At The Country Day School, we believe that art is a powerful form of self-expression and an essential part of a well-rounded education. From Grades 4 through 12, students are taught by dedicated Visual Arts specialists who inspire creativity, curiosity, and confidence while helping each child develop their individual artistic voice.
Our program is intentionally diverse, allowing students to experiment with a wide range of media and techniques—from drawing, painting, and sculpture to photography, computer graphics, clay work, and pottery. Through hands-on projects and guided exploration, students learn to communicate ideas visually, think critically about their work, and appreciate the impact of art in culture and society.
Beyond the classroom, students in Grades 7 through 12 benefit from enriching, art-focused field trips that expose them to professional galleries, studios, and exhibits, broadening their perspective and deepening their understanding of art in the real world.
The program culminates in Grad X, the highly anticipated annual Grade 12 Art Exhibition held each May in the school’s gallery space. This showcase celebrates the creativity and achievements of our senior students, who spend their final year developing independent portfolio projects. Working with a variety of materials and methods, they bring their unique inspirations to life while meeting university portfolio requirements. Grad X gives them the opportunity to share their finished works with peers, family, friends, and the wider school community—a true celebration of artistry, growth, and personal expression.
At CDS, the Visual Arts program is more than learning to create—it is about discovering new ways to see the world, building confidence in one’s ideas, and developing skills that will last a lifetime, whether students pursue a future in the arts or apply their creativity to any field they choose.
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.
