RocklandCountry Day Schoolis a private coed college-preparatory school that serves students in Pre-K through 12th grade. It is located in Congers, New York and was founded in 1959 as an alternative to public education in Rockland County. The school's stated mission is to "forth the best in every student by knowing and educating each of them as an individual." In 2009 the school celebrated its 50th anniversary.
Probably the most unique feature of the Rockland Country Day School is that since the fall of 2009, the school offers an extraordinarily open and flexible option of Independent Study. With students' time scheduled as an elective, they execute projects of their own conception, and under their own management, pursuing their individual passions and curiosities. The school's Department of Independent Studies provides resources such as advising/mentoring, tutorials, organized group discussion sessions, and software and physical tools. Evaluation of independent study projects is carried out once per semester by a distinctive committee system, with committee members chosen jointly by students and faculty.
Another distinctive feature of the Rockland Country Day School is its Organic Garden. Led by the organic gardener, visionary beekeeper, and former professional photographer Ron Breland, students continue to build, tend to, and learn about sustainable methods of agriculture and apiculture.