Detroit Country Day School - History

History

The Detroit Preparatory School was founded in 1914 by F. Alden Shaw, based on an educational philosophy espoused at the Country School for Boys in Baltimore, MD. The original school opened with four pupils, was briefly taught out of Mr. Shaw's mother's dining room, and stressed both academics and athletics. By 1923 the school had acquired a new name - Detroit Country Day School - and moved to a new campus on Seven Mile Road in the upscale neighborhood of Palmer Woods.

During the immediate pre-war era and World War II, DCDS took on some aspects of a military academy. The school brought in Army instructors to teach physical education, and students were encouraged to enlist upon graduation. The school reverted to a civilian footing with the end of the war.

The period 1950-1980 marked a large expansion in DCDS' student body and facilities. By the mid-1950s the school had outgrown its Palmer Park campus, and the school's directors designed plans to expand into the northern suburbs. In 1957 the school moved into a considerably larger new campus on Thirteen Mile Road in the suburb of Beverly Hills. Shortly thereafter, further growth necessitated the split of the school into three (later four) campuses: the Lower School at Fifteen Mile and Lahser, and the Middle and Upper Schools at the 13 Mile campus. In 1986 DCDS added a fourth (Junior School) campus, and the Middle School moved into its own building behind the Upper School in 1991. In 2008, DCDS began construction on its third full-sized gymnasium, which was completed in 2009. Furthermore the school began construction of a full-sized multipurpose field house in 2010. The 120 X 70 structure is one of only two in the entire state of Michigan. Construction on the field house was completed in February 2011.

Until 1940 DCDS was strictly a boys' school. Girls were first admitted to Grades K-6 in 1940, but were not allowed admission to the Upper School until 1972.

With the completion of the World Campus capital campaign in 2000, the 13 Mile Campus underwent a comprehensive program of expansion and upgrading. Improvements included a larger, renovated library, a new computer laboratory, two new wings of classrooms, a renovated Common Room, and a new Performing Arts Center (previously, morning assemblies were held in the gym and dramatic productions staged in the cafeteria). Other upgrades included new landscaping, and improved student and faculty parking. Additionally, the building was completely wired for Ethernet and partially for Wi-Fi connectivity in preparation for the pioneering "Knowledge Technologies" student computing program, which kicked off in the 1999-2000 school year. The above construction of athletic facilities was also part of this same campaign.

Former Assistant Headmaster Glen Shilling became the school's new Headmaster in July 2007. Former Headmaster Gerald Hansen retired from the Headmaster position to take over as President of the Country Day Fund, where he now concentrates on fund raising for Country Day. Shilling is the school's fifth Headmaster in its 93 year history.