Moments That Matter

100 years ago, three bold, determined mothers had a revolutionary idea: to re-imagine education and create a school that would inspire young minds to think bigger, dream brighter, and achieve greater. Their vision set the course for the next 100 years at Greenwich Country Day School.

Thank-you Dorothy Baker, Jane McClelland, and Florence Rockefeller!

1926
September 1926
Founded in 1926 by three mothers: Dorothy Baker, Jane McClelland, and Florence Rockerfeller. The school opened as: The Harvey School of Greenwich (for boys, grades 1-7) in a barn on Florence Rockefeller's Robin Hill estate near North Maple Avenue
1927 - Name & Location Change
Greenwich Country Day School. After one year, the name The Greenwich Country Day School was established, and the Grovemore Estate on Old Church Road was purchased for Grades 1-8
1926-1935: First Head of School
John Lynne Miner was appointed.
1930s
1933: Added Kindgarten
1935-1941: Second Head of School
George Denis Meadows was appointed.
1940s
1943: Added Grade 9
1943-1969: Fourth Head of School
John R. Webster was appointed.
1942: Added Girls
Merged with Rosemary Junior School
1941-1943: Third Head of School
Charles Chauncey Buell was appointed.
1950s
Purchase of Schwartz Property
This became the Faculty Housing.
Purchase of Wiman Estate
This became the Upper School (Grades 7-9).
1969-1971: Fourth Head of School
Frank W. Efinger was appointed.
1960s
1971-1972: Acting Head of School
George McClelland was appointed.
1970s
Dance Program
1972-1975: Fifth Head of School
Albrecht Saafield was appointed.
1976-1992: Sixth Head of School
Peter G. Briggs was appointed.
By 1979: Introduced Technology for Student Use
19xx: Musical
1973: First Black students to graduate from GCDS
David Waddell and Monique Lee celebrated their 50th reunion in October XXX and were presented with honorary high school diplomas at Commencement 202X in recognition of this milestone.
1975-1976: Acting Head of School
Richard S. McKinley was appointed.
1979: Purchased easternmost parcel of Wiman Estate
The "Fish House."
19xx: Public Speaking
1980s
19xx: Reading Hour
First Female Board of Trustees President
Judy Higgins was appointed.
1990s
1992-2004: Seventh Head of School
Douglas J. Lyons was appointed.
Walkathon
K Circus
Logo Update
Added a Girl to the Running Boy Logo.
19xx: Global Programs
2000s
2004-present: Eighth Head of School
Adam C. Rohdie was appointed.
2010s
xxxx: GCDS adopts the Tiger Mascot
2017: Established the Center for Public Good
Sustainability Milestone
Freight Farm.
2019: Acquired French Farm
2017: Acquisition of Stanwich School
2019: Opened GCDS High School
Adding Grades 9-12.
2020s
2023: Offit Fields
2024: First FAA Championship
Greenwich Country Day School’s Boys Track & Field team won their first Fairchester Athletic Association championship on May 11.
2025: Upper School Track
202x: Upper School Winklevoss Performing Arts Center
2020: COVID - Remote Learning
2023: Festival of the Arts
2024: Donovan Mitchell Family Athletic Center
Journey West / Celebracion de Mexico
2025: Wings Arena - Ice Rink