Gainesville Country Day School

Gainesville Country Day School is an independent, coeducational, nonsectarian school providing a unique blend of educational programs for children of infants through fifth grade. The school operates on two campuses: the 24th avenue campus houses the elementary school, 4 and 5 year old preschool, and VPK: the Early Childhood Enrichment Center on Tower Road accommodates infants-4 year old children.

We are committed to accepting children as they are, with their own backgrounds, experiences, interests, natures, and abilities. Our teachers are dedicated to helping children learn, grow, and find success in coming to school. GCDS's curriculum emphasizes active rather than passive learning and activities are designed to encourage independence and creativity. Attention is given to utilizing basic skills and applying them in increasingly complex projects and activities. Our curriculum consists of integrated subject matter areas and flexible curricular experiences designed to meet the needs of children of different levels of ability and experience. Our low student-teacher ratio makes it possible to provide a varied and stimulating range of learning experiences for each child.

Gainesville Country Day School opened in 1951 and was originally known as Three Bears House, one of the oldest preschools in Gainesville. In 1981, the school was relocated to the Tower Road location and renamed Gainesville Country Day School. In 1984, the 24th Avenue land was acquired and the elementary school campus was created. GCDS has been a longstanding part of the Gainesville community providing over 35 years of continuous quality elementary education.