Carrollwood Day School

Founded in 1981 as an early childhood center, Carrollwood Day School has grown to include elementary, middle school and upper school. CDS enjoys a reputation for excellence in academics with an emphasis on character development enriched by a wealth of extra-curricular programs and clubs.

As the only International Baccalaureate World School in the area to offer the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and Diploma Programme, CDS students flourish in a rich continuum of learner-centered education that begins in preschool, continues through high school graduation, and will last a lifetime. Students at all levels are also immersed in CDS's signature STEEM program which combines science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and entrepreneurship education to prepare CDS graduates to be the leaders they have the capacity to be.

The opening of Carrollwood Day School's Early Childhood Campus in 1981 was the very beginning of the CDS of today. It all began in a small storefront near its present location. The school was settled into its own building on Casey Road in 1984. The campus was designed to and continues to meet the needs of young children in all areas of development. In addition to spacious classrooms, children spend a large portion of their academic day in our 2,000 square foot exploratorium, which is comprised of interest centers designed to pique the minds of young children. Our students also benefit from playing outside on our huge, natural design playground that includes many areas for children to explore, imagine, and play. Designed in 2012 in partnership with Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds, some of the playground features include rolling hills, an enormous "tree house," sand and water play areas, and musical instruments. We are honored to be staffed by our well educated, highly trained faculty and staff.

Carrollwood Day School is a non-sectarian, co-educational, independent school. The school features two campuses: one which was designed for the developmental needs of our youngest students in toddler through kindergarten classes on Casey Road and the other campus for our first through twelfth grades on Bearss Avenue.

At Carrollwood Day School, we believe education involves the whole student. Superior academics at all levels of CDS are very important but so are character development, physical development, and emotional intelligence. CDS provides a safe learning environment, an outstanding curriculum, an unsurpassed character education initiative, a multitude of opportunities to engage in the arts and athletics, a highly qualified staff, and a caring learning community. All of the aforementioned are essential to student success.

CDS is an authorized Primary Years (ages 3-12), Middle Years (ages 11-16) and Diploma Programme (ages 16-19) International Baccalaureate World School. Carrollwood Day School was the sixth school in the United States to offer the full continuum of IB programs and is one of only two schools in Florida to achieve authorization in all three programs. We are also accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Florida Council of Independent Schools, and Florida Kindergarten Council.

Our school strives to fulfill our mission statement by developing lifelong learners equipped to succeed in our ever-changing world. A wealth of 21st Century teaching and assessment methods are used throughout the school in conjunction with robust technological integration at all levels. Further, an atmosphere of respect, consistency, and concern nourishes each student’s natural desire to learn.

The mission of Carrollwood Day School is to create entrepreneurial thinkers for a global society. We provide strong character-based education emphasizing problem-solving skills and philanthropic understanding. Our students are prepared to be world leaders using the International Baccalaureate Programmes, cutting-edge technology, creative arts, and competitive athletics. Most importantly, CDS fosters the development of the entire student not only in academics, but also ethically, emotionally, and through social experience. Our goal is to help students discover and develop their own talents and interests and use these to better the world and themselves.

Carrollwood Day School embraces and celebrates the rich diversity of our students, employees, and families from all backgrounds. As an International Baccalaureate continuum school, CDS strives to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment where each person is valued. We work to intentionally develop cross-cultural competency and appreciation of differences within all constituents. We value the influence of a wide range of experiences and perspectives in our classrooms, relationships, and interactions as we prepare our students to contribute to a diverse and interconnected world.