Foothill Country Day School

I have 1 kid at FCDS. He is in 6th grade and absolutely loves it. The classes at so unique. Everyone is so nice and helpful. This is an excellent school.

We sent all three of our children to Foothill, starting at the Seedling School for three years, and then going on to the K-8 years. It was a fantastic experience for all of them. The teachers are profoundly attentive to their students, pushing them to be the best they can be, while still recognizing their emotional needs. The academic programs are consistently outstanding, the grounds beautiful, and the extracurricular activities engaging and rewarding. Being a smaller school limits the depth of Foothill's athletic program, but there are still plenty of opportunities to learn the value of teamwork in a competitive setting. Sending our kids to Foothill was truly one of the best parenting decisions we could have made. They will learn the skills necessary to absolutely excel in high school, college, and beyond. You won't regret it.

I have two kids attending FCDS- my older one has already graduated, and my younger one is currently in 4th grade. Foothill is truly exceptional, offering a complete educational journey from preschool through 8th grade. It creates a nurturing environment for students. What makes Foothill stand out is its dedication to fostering both character development and academic excellence. Going beyond traditional education, the school provides rich enrichment opportunities and places a strong emphasis on arts education. This comprehensive approach ensures that students receive a well-rounded education, preparing them for success. FCDS is undeniably a place where students not only excel academically but also thrive and grow personally. We absolutely love FCDS!

I have had two kids at this school for many years (I've lost count). The teachers are amazing and really get to know each child. Not just their grades, or their homework. They know the sports they play, the names of their pets, what books they like to read, who their best friends are. These teachers really know them as people. The other kids are people I want my children to hang around with and learn from. If I were looking for a school all over again, I would choose Foothill, and I would start them in preschool here. The financial investment is there, sure. I thought my wife was crazy when she suggested paying this much for tuition. Years later I can confirm it is worth every penny. One note for inquiring parents: this is a school you will be involved with. It is almost a lifestyle. You can't expect to drop the kids off and never show your face. The parents here care about education and they show up. If you want a school to take care of your kids for you, this isn't it.

I am a grandparent at this school who pays the tuition for my grandchild. There is no school in the area that compares to this in both rigor and diversity and that is why we make that financial investment. Our children and grandchildren are from varied ethnic backgrounds so inclusivity and joyous celebration of it is important to our family. This school does not ignore the reality of different cultures and religions but discusses and educates about all of them. The academics are top-notch. Reading and math tutoring is there, and learning differences are accommodated. My only observation is that this is not a school that provides extensive special needs instruction. They cannot accommodate major disabilities. Sometimes children who are gifted do not get challenged enough, or are recognized as having any different challenges than the general population. There is so much to do at this school that they excel anyway.

My older son switched from a public school to Foothill as a second grader last year, amid the pandemic. A couple of days into the new school, I asked him how he felt about Foothill. He told me that the teachers were nice, the friends were nice, and he liked Foothill. Only then he told me that back in the public school, he was disciplined a lot and deprived of the recess so often. I don`t believe in "zero tolerance" in the education of children. But I also understand the limited human resources to deploy for tender care in public schools, especially during pandemics. Right then and there I knew I made a good choice to come to Foothill! A couple of weeks later, my son came back from school and his brand new school uniform sweater was missing. Another week went by, he told me that he searched and his sweater was still nowhere to be found. One day when I was picking him up from school, he was wearing a sweater just like his. He told me that his teacher Mrs. Martinez gave it to him. Later I learned that Mrs. Martinez gave my boy her own son`s old sweater, which still looked new. I thought her son was probably a bit older than my boy. However, later I found out that her sons were both in their late 20s, and were Foothill graduates- She must have treasured her boys` school years so much and taken good care of the sweater. And she gave the treasured sweater to my son, a new student in the school. I was deeply moved! Right then and there I knew I made a great choice to come to Foothill! A couple of months went by. One day my son came back home with his sweater! I was so surprised that he found it. But he told me that one of his friends at school found the sweater and brought it over to him. I was speechless. Right then and there I knew I made an excellent choice to come to Foothill! On the last day of second grade, my son got so emotional and exclaimed, "This is the best school year I have ever had! I want to stay in second grade forever!" Action speaks louder than words. Foothill teachers are loving and caring. Foothill kids are kind and compassionate. I have personally experienced it. Foothill is a safe, nurturing, and inclusive community. That is Foothill`s mission statement and it stays true to the statement. My older son is liking third grade now albeit he wished to be a second grader forever. His little brother is joining him as a kindergartener. He was lucky to have graduated from the Seedling School, Foothill`s preschool. About his great experience at Seedling, I`ll need to tell you another time. We`re fortunate to be part of the Foothill family. I understand private school is not for every child. However, if you ever need to choose one, Foothill would be an excellent choice!

I have been a Foothill parent since 2009. Three of my children attended Foothill from K-8th grade, and my fourth child is currently enrolled in the Lower School. One of the important things to know about Foothill is that the school`s leadership has a continuous improvement mindset concerning the curriculum, professional development for faculty and staff, and facilities. In addition, leadership has placed a specific emphasis on creating an inclusive environment where families from various backgrounds (socio-economic, ethnic, religious, and otherwise) feel welcome and included in the school community. These characteristics distinguish Foothill from other schools in the area. Regardless of where the school`s graduates attend high school (public or private), Foothill students are well-prepared to handle the rigors of high school and beyond. Foothill`s curriculum is demanding, but its teachers are caring and attentive and focus on the individual needs of each child. Foothill instills study skills that students continue to use long after they graduate. Most notable to me during my time in this community is the fact that Foothill students always stand out in comparison to their peers concerning their ability to speak confidently and walk into a room and have an educated conversation with people they have never met before. Finally, Foothill emphasizes instilling a sense of morality and a genuine willingness to be a good citizen in its students. From a parent perspective, there are plenty of volunteering opportunities, should you wish to do so. Being able to participate in planning the annual Spring Benefit, sorting books in the library, or setting up for the Art Walk are just a few examples of activities where parents get together and forge lasting friendships. Ultimately, I see the decision to send your child to Foothill as a very worthwhile investment in their education and the development of their sense of self. Foothill will give your child the tools and confidence he or she needs to go on to high school, college, and beyond.

I'm going to tell you what you aren't going to see from these statistics: it is well known that Foothill is not only the most academically rigorous school in the area. No other school is ever close and that is common knowledge. What you don't see is the incredibly diverse community here. There are so many different cultures and so many kinds of students. They celebrate all kinds of holidays with great respect. If you want your child to learn to get along with all kinds of people from all over the world, this is your school. School isn't just about academics. It is about the students your child will be influenced by and who they will be friends with.

Where do I even start? The school is amazing. From the absolute beauty of the grounds all the way to all of the services they provide. My Oldest just started high school this year and without the help in guidance and instruction from these amazing teachers, she is thriving socially as well as academically. My son however is a different situation. He is still in fifth grade and still struggle socially. The school hasn`t been too supportive with regard to this but I guess I could`ve been a little more open and honest with him. But I did find thaoldest just started high school this year and without the help in guidance and instruction from these amazing teachers, she is thriving socially as well as academically. My son however is a different situation. He is still in fifth grade and still struggles socially. The school hasn`t been too supportive with regard to this but I guess I could`ve been a little more open and honest with them about it. Their academic excellence is incredible. The sports program is getting better and better every year. Their extracurricular activities for our kids are endless. From computers, maker space, sports, and karate to name a few. Our children are taught to think outside box. They see things in a way I never thought of. The teachers they employ are extremely caring, loving, guiding and they are STELLAR. Their outlook on teaching is unlike any other school I have ever seen. The amount of research they do on a daily basis is incredible. They are always trying to better what they have and what they do. At the end of the day, If my child needs something, each had a teacher they could go to for help and support.

My child is in 5th grade and we love the Foothill environment. The grounds are beautiful and peaceful, the students are friendly and well-behaved. I am proud that my children are friends with them. We are a family that values our faith, but we wanted our children to be exposed to all kinds of cultures and religions; Foothill provides that extreme diversity. At 5th grade the work is extremely challenging, but is useful and project based; not just busy work. One of the best features of this school is the after school program, hands down. They have a variety of classes every day including karate, debate team, student council and orchestra. No more running around to Kumon, the Claremont Club, or music lessons. Instead, it is all right at Foothill, making my professional life much easier. Foothill is very much a family-oriented school and the activities can be 24/7 if you let it. This probably isn't the school for you don't want that kind of intense community.

My child goes to 1st grade at Foothill Country Day, and he absolutely loves it. We have been here only 6 months, we feel we made the right selection. The instructors and staff are brilliant and caring. The facility itself provides a clean, secure, and state-of-the-art learning environment where children can clearly thrive and benefit themselves of the school's vast array of extra-curricular activities. The quality of the academic instruction is also superior; it is structured and elaborate yet presented in a very tender and welcome environment. Ask yourself if you want an outstanding education for your youngsters? This is your school Foothill Country Day.