An Important Message from School Leadership

From the start, my time at CDS has been marked by a good deal of physical building across the campus, but also by a commitment to developing and sustaining the deep relationships formed between colleagues, faculty and students; among students; and between parents and teachers. To work alongside such an immensely talented group of faculty and staff and amidst such a wonderfully connected community has been an absolute honour.

Working shoulder to shoulder with this incredible group of colleagues, a talented and experienced leadership team along with the sage counsel and oversight of one of the most professional volunteer Board of Directors in the country, we have accomplished a great deal. These people have all served with me as integral members of the CDS community and have helped our school achieve new heights while remaining true to our roots.

During my tenure, I have helped oversee a number of major campaigns that have been transformative for both our campus and community. Collectively, the 2012 Making Connections, 2016 Building Magic and the 2023 Dream Together campaigns have rallied more than $70 million dollars of community support and capital investment in our campus! We have rejuvenated our Senior School and made our longtime dream of the incredible Niczowski, Temovsky, Arrigo Dining Hall a reality, rejuvenated the entire Junior School, including the addition of an elementary wing with eight classrooms, and a large new entrance that encloses our beloved Eversley Schoolhouse in the spectacular Burns Family Hall. And we are about to break ground in order to replace our longstanding Cyclone Dome with a state-of-the-art athletic centre designed to significantly enhance the educational and athletic experience for CDS students, parents and alumni.

Over the past decade and a half, our strategic and long-range plans have helped us stay aligned with our vision and core principles as we continuously envision our future. Four key priorities have emerged as the foundation of Country Day’s mission, vision, and values—principles that have shaped our journey and continue to guide us: Support, Know, and Inspire; Balance and Innovate; Build and Engage our Community; and Enhance our Financial Sustainability. Although the priorities assigned to each of these pillars have evolved over time, the framework of our commitment to providing an exceptional educational experience for our students has remained steadfast. 

As I look ahead to the next 18 months, I remain fully committed to our mission to provide an Education with Balance and will work closely with the Board of Directors and Leadership Team to ensure a smooth transition.

I discovered an overwhelming sense of community the first time I stepped foot on campus, and I remain grateful to all of you, our community, for entrusting me with the honour of serving as CDS’s fourth Head of School. I look forward to continuing to create memories, dream together, and celebrate many more accomplishments and a few more graduations too!

Thank you,

John Liggett
Head of School

 

 

A Message from the Chair of the Board of Directors

Dear CDS Community,

After 15 years of dedicated service to The Country Day School as its fourth Head of School, John Liggett has shared with the Board his intention to retire in June 2027.

As Board Chair and as a CDS parent, I am deeply grateful that John has provided the School with such a generous runway. With nearly two full academic years ahead, this transition has been carefully planned, allowing ample time to ensure continuity, stability and a smooth transition to the next Head of School. John will continue in his role through the 2026-2027 academic year and will work closely with the Board and the Leadership Team throughout this transition. Our community can be confident that the process ahead will be well supported and thoughtfully led.

As we look ahead, it is also important to reflect on the impact John has had on CDS and on the community he has helped shape.

Since his arrival in 2011, John has embraced CDS’s motto of Education with Balance and led with a strong focus on relationships. From the outset, he made it a priority to engage meaningfully with students, faculty and staff, parents, alumni, and friends of the School. Whether in classrooms, on the sidelines, or through the many community dinners and gatherings he hosted and attended, John demonstrated a genuine commitment to listening and to understanding what matters most to this community.

Those early conversations helped shape the strategic direction that followed, including the development of a Master Campus Plan that has guided the School through multiple long range plans. Working alongside the Board and his Leadership Team, John has helped refine our key strategic priorities, always guided by a commitment to strengthening CDS.

This focus has translated into significant investment across campus, with more than $70 million invested, or committed to invest, in new and renewed facilities. These include the Niczowski, Temovsky, Arrigo Dining Hall, rejuvenated Senior and Junior Schools, the Burns Family Hall, an enhanced Middle School, a new Sugar Shack in our beloved Back 40, and the forthcoming state-of-the-art Athletic Centre.

Beyond facilities, John’s impact is perhaps most deeply felt in the student experience. He has consistently placed students at the centre of decision making, guided by the belief that students learn best when they feel known and supported. Initiatives such as expanding Outdoor Education, enhancing Advanced Placement offerings, introducing Associate Teachers, and reducing class sizes reflect this commitment. 

The School has also grown significantly during John’s tenure, from 686 students to 830 today, and from 125 staff members to 154. Throughout this period of growth, CDS has continued to strengthen its standing within the CAIS community and has earned a strong reputation more broadly. 

John has also played an important role in strengthening our community’s philanthropic spirit, beginning with the 2013 launch of the Eberts Entrance Scholarship, named for co-founder Ed Eberts. CDS’s first entrance scholarship has been transformative and today benefits 20 students and counting.

As a parent, John has experienced the CDS journey firsthand. Watching his two sons graduate and pursue their own paths has given him a personal appreciation for the lasting impact of an education with balance. This perspective has informed his leadership and shaped many of the decisions that have strengthened CDS over the years.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to express our sincere appreciation for John’s thoughtful leadership, steady guidance and deep commitment to The Country Day School. We look forward to recognizing and celebrating his many contributions and legacy in the months ahead.

In the coming weeks, the Board will share details on the search process we will undertake to identify the next Head of School, including the formation of a Head Search Committee.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support and partnership.

Warm regards,

Tina Mithra

Chair, Board of Directors