Park City Day School Middle School: Get more of what matters

Students at Park City Day School Middle School in Park City, Utah, hold up blue paint–covered hands during an art class. Photo: Park City Day School

PARK CITY, Utah — When Head of School Brad McCutcheon walks the halls at Park City Day School, he sees what he calls “the magic” of a small, close‑knit middle school community: teachers greeting students by name, sixth graders trading chess tips with eighth graders, and challenging classrooms where no one can fade into the back row.

“These are things that really matter in the development of a middle schooler. Research shows a second major phase of brain development happens during the adolescent years,” McCutcheon said. “At that age, kids need to feel known and supported by trusted adults outside their parents, and they need space to test social strategies in a safe environment. Our middle school is designed for that.”

Advisory at the core

Each morning begins with unstructured social time followed by advisory groups that develop executive‑functioning skills, discuss current events, and help kids navigate the inevitable awkwardness of adolescence. “It’s facilitated time with a teacher who understands what they’re going through,” McCutcheon said. “Those relationships make all the difference.”

Challenging, hands‑on academics

Class sizes top out at about 20, creating what McCutcheon calls a “student-centered approach.” Core subjects include advanced mathematics, lab‑based science, social studies and language arts. Spanish, visual and performing arts, instrumental music and wellness round out the schedule, while an innovation lab offers robotics and 3‑D printing.

McCuthcheon says “In our model, students are active participants, not passive recipients of rote facts for memorization. This is how they become critical thinkers and astute problem solvers. When they start high school, we know they are fully prepared and ready to meet any academic challenge.  In fact, most of our students place into accelerated programs.”

Learning beyond the classroom

The school’s outdoor‑education program sends every middle schooler on week‑long fall and spring expeditions, plus shorter field experiences tied to academics. Between classes, students gravitate to ping‑pong, foosball or the slackline—activities McCutcheon says keep childhood intact. “We don’t rush them into adulthood,” he said.

A global outlook

Park City Day School belongs to Round Square, a global network of 270 schools that share “IDEALS,” which stands for internationalism, democracy, environmentalism, adventure, leadership and service. Students can spend up to two weeks living with host families abroad; recent exchanges have taken them to Colombia, Mexico and, next, Germany.

“Park City can feel insular,” McCutcheon said. “We want our students to develop a global mindset, and our international trips really open their eyes and further that goal.”

Access and expansion

Exterior renovations now underway will align the middle school building with the lower school campus, following interior upgrades completed last year. Despite its private‑school status, McCutcheon said, the school expects to award roughly $680,000 in tuition assistance this year, supporting about 23  percent of families.

“We just want great kids and great families who value an elevated educational experience,” he said. “People tend to assume they can’t afford tuition, but our school is really focused on making an exceptional education accessible to a broad range of families.  We are a community school for everyone.”

Enrollment

Prospective families can schedule tours through Julia  Augustine, Director of Enrollment. “Our doors are open,” McCutcheon said, “and the kids and teachers are always eager to show people what makes this place special. Put simply, our middle school provides more of what matters at a time that can be magic.”

Learn more at Park City Day School.