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Quick Answer for Busy Parents
Rolling Hills Country Day School (RHCDS) is a nonsectarian K-8 school in Rolling Hills Estates with around 400 students and a 12:1 student-faculty ratio. Operating on rolling admissions, RHCDS evaluates applicants through on-campus assessments for Grades K-4 and the ISEE for Grades 5-8. The four-acre campus features a junior-Olympic pool, science labs, and comprehensive athletics. Beyond strong academics, students participate in an outdoor education program, arts, and community service, with graduates matriculating to leading private and public high schools.
Why Do Families Choose Rolling Hills Country Day School?
Founded in 1961, RHCDS has built a reputation on the Palos Verdes Peninsula for blending traditional and progressive teaching methods, an approach the school describes as pursuing excellence in the intellectual, moral, physical, and social development of its students.
Families are drawn to its small class sizes, four-acre campus with facilities including a junior-Olympic pool and dedicated science labs, and a strong record of matriculation to selective private high schools. RHCDS is accredited by WASC and holds additional memberships in the National Association of Independent Schools, the Educational Records Bureau, and the California Kindergarten Association.
Ultimately, families choose RHCDS for its close-knit, supportive community where children are both nurtured and challenged. Parents value the school’s emphasis on strong character development alongside academics, as well as the balance of rigorous classroom learning with rich outdoor, athletic, and arts experiences that allow students to thrive throughout their foundational years.
How Competitive Is Admission to Rolling Hills Country Day School?
Rolling Hills Country Day School does not publish an acceptance rate, and unlike many independent schools, it does not use a single application deadline. Instead, the school accepts applications on a rolling basis and conducts small-group Evaluation Days until each grade’s class is full, meaning timing can matter as much as the strength of an individual application. Applicants are evaluated through supplemental forms, transcripts, teacher recommendations, and grade-level assessments or ISEE testing.
Top Tips for a Strong Application
- Begin the process as early as September, since popular grades can fill before a traditional deadline would apply elsewhere.
- Submit supplemental forms promptly so they don’t delay scheduling your child’s Evaluation Day.
- Ask directly about current grade-level openings, since rolling admissions availability shifts throughout the cycle.
Best Practices for Families
- Attend the Open House (last Sunday of January) or schedule an earlier campus tour by appointment.
- Request teacher recommendations early so they’re ready when needed.
- Prepare your child for a small-group evaluation setting rather than a one-on-one exam.
The Rolling Hills Country Day School Admission Process
Submitting an online application through the school website is the first step in the Rolling Hills Country Day School admissions process, where you will set up a parent account and access the application checklist.
- Schedule School Tour — Tour with Director of Admissions, Experience Days
- Upload Report Cards — Current & previous year report cards
- Submit Teacher Recommendation Forms — K-1st Grade: K-1 Evaluation Form; Grades 2nd-5th: General Evaluation Form; Grades 6th-8th: Math & Language Arts Evaluation Form
- Register for Testing — RHCDS On-Campus Assessment (K-4); Independent School Entrance Exam (Grades 5-8)
- Await Admissions Decision
Application Requirements for Rolling Hills Country Day School
School Tour
Families begin by submitting an online application via the RHCDS portal starting in August. After applying, parents schedule a campus tour with the Director of Admissions and may participate in optional “Experience Days” for classroom observations.
How to make the most of your school tour:
Attend school tours with a clear list of questions tailored to your child’s specific academic interests, learning style, and extracurricular goals. Pay close attention to classroom engagement and campus culture, and use the visit to evaluate how well the school’s values align with your family’s expectations.
Teacher Evaluations
RHCDS requires grade-specific evaluation forms completed by current teachers: the K-1 Form for Kindergarten and 1st Grade, the General Evaluation Form for Grades 2-5, and separate Math and Language Arts forms for Grades 6-8. Forms are delegated through the online portal or downloaded directly from the school site.
How to get the best teacher evaluations:
To secure the best teacher evaluations, your child must build genuine relationships with teachers. Recommenders should highlight your child’s leadership, behavior, and academic impact on the school community.
Transcript & School Records
Parents of applicants for Grades 1-8 must upload or request current-year report cards (first trimester/semester) and official academic evaluations from the entire previous school year through the admissions portal.
How to improve academic performance:
If grades need improvement, seek targeted, consistent academic support months before applications are due. Academic coaching helps strengthen key skills early, allowing students to demonstrate sustained growth on their transcripts.
Testing/Evaluation Day
Applicants complete assessments on designated Saturday dates in January and February. Grades K-4 take the in-house RHCDS On-Campus Admissions Assessment, while Grades 5-8 take the ISEE (administered on campus or submitted externally).
How to prepare for testing day:
Familiarize your child with standard test formats and time limits well in advance. Consistent practice, coupled with stress-management techniques, ensures students enter testing sessions confident and able to demonstrate their true academic potential.
Have Questions About Your Child’s Application?
Cardinal Education’s consultants help families time their RHCDS application correctly and prepare for the Evaluation Day.
Student Life at Rolling Hills Country Day School
Student life at Rolling Hills Country Day School (RHCDS) balances rigorous core academics, hands-on creative expression, competitive interscholastic athletics, and active community participation.
Beyond the classroom, students build character, confidence, and leadership through co-curricular initiatives, outdoor education, and vibrant summer programming on a four-acre campus.
Academics
Academic life at Rolling Hills Country Day School focuses on foundational literacy, critical thinking, mathematical fluency, and real-life problem-solving skills across the Lower and Middle School divisions.
| Metric | Overview & Academic Feature |
| Grade Divisions | Lower School (Kindergarten-Grade 4) and Middle School (Grades 5-8) |
| Core Disciplines | English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and Foreign Language |
| Technology Integration | Dedicated Computer Lab covering full-stack programming, technological acumen, and AI responsibility |
| Outdoor Education | Multi-day environmental and outdoor adventure trips integrated by grade level (Grades 4-8) |
This structured curriculum promotes self-confidence and intellectual curiosity, preparing students for upper-level coursework and selective secondary schools.
Arts
The visual and performing arts program encourages creative exploration and visual expression through purpose-built studio and performance spaces.
- Dedicated Facilities: Campus includes a specialized Art Studio, Music Studio, and Multi-Purpose Room for live theater and music performances.
- Integrated Curriculum: Arts are woven directly into historical and academic subjects, such as Grade 4 landmark canvas painting and the annual “Oh, California!” dramatic production.
- Creative Expression: Hands-on instruction spans visual mediums, music fundamentals, and staged theatrical productions throughout the school year.
Students gain creative confidence while sharing their artistic and theatrical talents with the broader school community.
Summer Programs
RHCDS offers extensive summer options through Country Day Camp and specialized enrichment modules for ages 4+ through Grade 8.
- Country Day Camp: Weekly summer camp featuring daily pool time, sports, arts and crafts, dance, nature exploration, and theme events.
- Academic & Science Enrichment: Specialized courses including Summer School, Study Skills, Technology For Tomorrow, and Experium Science Camp.
- Aquatics & Specialty Clinics: Small-group and private swim lessons in the junior-Olympic pool, along with dedicated Afternoon Art and Swim camps.
These summer offerings provide a balanced blend of academic reinforcement, skill-building, and outdoor recreation, keeping students engaged and active throughout the break in a familiar, supportive campus environment.
Athletics
The interscholastic athletic program emphasizes teamwork, physical fitness, skill development, and sportsmanship across seasonal league play.
| Athletic Metric | Program Statistics |
| League Affiliation | South Bay Athletic League |
| Interscholastic Sports | Water Polo, Swim Team, Soccer, Basketball, and Volleyball (Boys, Girls, & Co-Ed) |
| Physical Facilities | On-campus Junior-Olympic swimming pool and outdoor athletic field |
| Signature Fitness Program | Country Day Mileage Club combining physical education, running, and global awareness |
The athletic department provides structured competition for middle school student-athletes while promoting lifelong healthy habits for all grade levels.
Community Service
Service learning is a core component of the RHCDS experience, cultivating empathy, civic responsibility, and active engagement in local and global communities.
- Annual Giving Projects: School-wide holiday giving programs supporting local and international partner schools in need, coat and shoe drives, and local beach cleanups.
- Mileage Club Fundraiser: Middle School students collect per-lap pledges during PE class, raising funds for charities in the specific regions and countries studied in their curriculum.
- Middle School Service Hours: Grades 6-8 complete annual service hours through campus initiatives, such as the Community Service Friday Elective creating fleece blankets for women’s shelters, or volunteering at local soup kitchens.
Through direct outreach, students develop a sense of purpose and a commitment to helping others throughout their foundational school years.
Secure Admission to RHCDS With Cardinal Education
Gaining admission to Rolling Hills Country Day School is highly competitive due to limited class sizes and strong demand across the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Unlike schools with standard deadlines, RHCDS operates on a rolling admissions model where popular grade levels fill rapidly.
Cardinal Education provides comprehensive private school consulting to give your family a decisive advantage. Our expert consultants help you navigate the nuances of rolling enrollment, optimize your application timeline, prepare your child to excel on Evaluation Days, and strategically position your family to secure an acceptance offer.
Related Articles
Athletics at Rolling Hills Country Day: From Intramurals to the South Bay Athletic League
RHCDS’s Outdoor Education Program: Building Independence from Grade 4 to Grade 8
Does RHCDS have a religious affiliation?
Is there a fixed application deadline?
What is the RHCDS acceptance rate?
What is the Evaluation Day like for applicants?
What is Rolling Hills Country Day School known for?
Did You Know?
RHCDS’s campus includes a junior-Olympic-size swimming pool, giving students access to a competitive-caliber aquatics facility on a four-acre K-8 campus.
Rolling Hills Country Day gave our children a rigorous academic foundation and a genuine sense of belonging that carried them into high school with confidence. Cardinal Education helped us navigate the rolling admissions timeline so we didn’t miss our window.
— RHCDS Parent