Keith Country Day School was founded in 1916 by Charlotte Belle Emerson Keith. Situated on a campus adjacent to Rockford's Sinnissippi Park and overlooking the Rock River, Keith School, as it is commonly referred to, is located at 1 Jacoby Place, on the site of the former Shoudy Mansion and carriage house. The Shoudy family owned three lots overlooking the Rock River along North Second Street between the Lysander Jacoby House to the north and the park and golf course to the south. Fred and Louise Shoudy, sold their home on the lot adjacent to the Jacoby House to Mrs. Keith around 1920. This property included a tennis court used by the school for many years.
Divisions of the School
Keith School is divided into three separate schools:
The Lower School, which encompasses The Keith Cottage, Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten through fifth grade;
the Middle School, which encompasses sixth, seventh and eighth grades, and
the Upper School, which encompasses ninth through twelfth grades.
The Lower School and The Upper School have separate Heads whom are responsible for reporting to the overall Head of School, formerly known as the Headmaster; this title was changed upon the appointment of Roberta Ingrassia, the second female Head after Belle Emerson Keith. The school also has a Board of Trustees, a twelve-member appointed board which serves as the governing body of the school. It is composed of the Head of School and past and present parents of Keith students, along with prominent civic figures.
Technological Advancements
In 1998, Keith became the first school in Illinois to develop a comprehensive laptop computer program. This connected learning environment provides networked laptop computers for every sixth through 12th grade student and teacher, high-speed wireless access, individual email addresses for students and teachers, a Lower School computer lab and classroom computer centers, and a library with access to global electronic databases.
Curriculum/Graduation Requirements
Keith School boasts a college-preparatory curriculum with all classes in the Upper School taught at the Honors level. Several Advanced Placement classes are also available. In order to graduate from Keith School, Upper School students are required to take at least five academic courses per semester in a variety of fields, including English, Social Studies/History, Mathematics, Science, Foreign Language, Speech/Communications, Fine Arts, Physical Education and Health. Students are also required to complete two semesters of College Counseling, during which they are guided through the college and scholarship application process. In addition, Upper School students must complete at least 90 hours of Community Service, no more than 30 of which may be completed through Keith School. Keith seniors are also each required to complete a Senior Project, which is a student-designed, faculty-assisted program allowing students to explore areas of interest or experience real-world job situations relevant to their intended career goals. Students must also pass U.S. and Illinois Constitution tests.
Homeschooled Student Program
Keith School also opens its classes to qualified home-schooled students as a supplement to a 6th through 12th grade student's home curriculum. Students may study a foreign language, add a lab-based science, delve into an AP course in English, U.S. History, Biology, Calculus AB, Music Theory and English, European History, Chemistry, Calculus or explore a music, art or drama class.
Extracurricular activities
Keith students are encouraged to organize extracurricular activities and to form and join clubs. Some current extracurriculars include: Amnesty International, Scholastic Bowl, Middle and Upper School Choir, Band, Theatrical Productions and Plays, Brownies/Girl Scouts/Cub Scouts, Model United Nations of the University of Chicago, Certamen, National Honor Society, International Club, Dissection Club, SADD, Energy Net, Philosophy Club, Environmental Club, Snow Sculpting Team, Spanish Club, Film Club, French Club, French Honor Society, Jazz Band, Strings Ensemble, Geography Bee, Student Government, Habitat for Humanity, Ping-Pong/Table Tennis Club, Honor Council, Instrumental Ensemble, Interact Club, WYSE Academic Team, and Yearbook. Keith also hosts an annual spelling bee for fifth to eighth graders, the winner of which goes on to compete at the state level.
Keith School Parent Association (KPA)
All parents of Keith Country Day School students are members of the Parents’ Association, an organization which exists to promote friendly relationships among parents, to acquaint them with the spirit of Keith School, to obtain their cooperation with its objectives for the development of their children, and to initiate parents’ involvement in projects and functions which aid the school academically, socially and financially. The Keith Parents’ Association also serves the important function of communicating ideas, concerns and support to the administration and faculty of Keith School. The KPA meets once a month to discuss the Association's fundraising activities as well as extra- curricular events planned and coordinated by its officers and members. The KPA is also an important means of communication to the administration of the school. At each KPA meeting, the Head of School and other administrators submit reports regarding the health of the school. At these meetings it is possible for parents to ask appropriate questions of the administration regarding any aspect of school operations. The officers of the Association stay in consistent contact with the administration and with parents. Monetary grants are made each year to teachers and school staff members by the KPA for numerous curricular and extra-curricular activities, and the KPA contributes significantly to the Sports, Music and Drama departments in both the Upper and Lower Schools.
