CDS signature programs are integrated into our curriculum and designed to be experiential and unforgettable. From caring for our campus chickens to backpacking in Yosemite to leading a Friday Assembly or tinkering in the CDS Hub, these are the lessons and memories your child will cherish.

CDS students are grounded in the natural world and working toward a more sustainable future, inspired by life-changing experiences in our on-campus Farm and Garden. In their early years, students learn to care for the plants and animals that live on our campus, discovering the science behind how things grow and what animals need. As students grow, this foundation expands into an in-depth Food & Agricultural Sciences program, where middle schoolers deepen their understanding of environmental and biological science through hands-on experiential learning.

Every fall, middle schoolers embark on an outdoor adventure to Pinnacles, Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, or somewhere similar. Steeped in the values of risk-taking and courage, students navigate challenges with resilience and integrity during our trips, fostering a sense of responsibility towards each other and connection to the natural world. Learn more about our Outdoor Education Program.

Starting in preschool, students use the design process to make and test ideas. With dedicated tinkering and arts areas in preschool classrooms, a special kindergarten and Lower School makers’ Hub, and Innovation Lab in the middle school, CDS students have opportunities to use physical and digital tools to bring their ideas to life, both in classroom collaborations and during their free time. Learn more about Digital Innovation at Children’s Day School.