Secondary School Counseling

Our secondary school counseling program complements the educational experience with an ongoing, collaborative effort to assist families in the secondary school admissions process. Our goal is for students to gain admission to schools well matched to their academic skills and extracurricular interests.

By Eighth Grade, DCD students are eager and ready to meet their next educational challenges. They have seen the fruits of intellectual curiosity and imagination grounded in disciplined study. They have met high expectations of leadership, group responsibility and academic achievement, as well as integrity, kindness and understanding.

In the spring of Seventh Grade, each family begins meeting with one of our counselors, who suggests appropriate schools for application. Students and families are encouraged to explore these suggestions over the summer.  In the fall of 8th grade, all students participate in Smooth Talk, a signature program in DCD's middle school. It involves advanced public speaking, practice interviewing, and introspective writing so that every student is prepared to enter the secondary school application process with success.

In addition, opportunities are available to connect families with secondary school representatives and DCD alumni and past parents.

DCD eighth graders often have many options when choosing their next school. While many students receive acceptances to and matriculate in the top day and boarding schools in New England, some students do choose to attend the public high schools in their towns. The following is a comprehensive list where you will find many of our DCD graduates:

Beaver Country Day
Belmont Hill School
Brimmer & May
Buckingham, Browne, and Nichols
Brooks School
Concord Academy
Catholic Memorial
Dana Hall
Deerfield Academy
Dexter Southfield
Middlesex
Milton Academy
Miss Porter's School
Nobles and Greenough School
New Hampton School
Roxbury Latin
The Rivers School
Tabor Academy
Thayer Academy