Rathdown School is an independent day and boarding school for girls in Glenageary, Dublin, Ireland operating under Church of Ireland management. The school provides pre-school, junior and senior level education. Located on a 16-acre site, about 12 kilometres from Dublin City Centre, Rathdown is consistently ranked among the top schools in Ireland. The school's colours are blue and green.
History
Rathdown School was founded in 1973 from an amalgamation of three schools: Park House School, The Hall School and Hillcourt School, and subsequently Glengara Park School in 1988. The School was originally on three sites in Monkstown, Glenageary and Morehampton Road in Dublin 4. In September 1974 the school became a single entity on Hillcourt's site in Glenageary.
Rathdown Today
Rathdown has pupils from Pre-School age to Leaving Certificate level and offers a broad range of academic subjects in small class groups. Rathdown provides seven day boarding for girls aged 10 – 18 years old and allows the boarders the option of returning home at weekends or remaining at the school to avail of the weekend activities. The school also runs a dedicated international programme for overseas students and short-term boarding options for day pupils. Rathdown is the only school in Ireland that uses a methodology called Mind Lab to develop thinking abilities and life skills through strategy games. Rathdown was the first school in Ireland where pupils used iPads in class.
Charity
Rathdown students participate in An Gaisce, the National Challenge Award from the President of Ireland to young people. Annually, Rathdown sends a team of students and staff to Romania, to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity Ireland to help build houses for local families. Students Unite for Children’s Health was created by Rathdown pupils to raise funds for charities.
For over 20 years, Rathdown School has been involved in Model United Nations, allowing the girls to build confidence in public speaking and debating as well as a lasting interest in international affairs. Rathdown was the first all-girls’ secondary school in Ireland to host an MUN Conference, RADMUN.
Sport
The school's sports facilities comprise hockey pitches, including a new, world-class, water based hockey pitch, the Merrion Fleet Arena, tennis courts, outdoor basketball & netball courts, an indoor sports hall, athletics track and tartan cricket crease. The major winter sports are hockey and basketball and the major summer sports are tennis, athletics and cricket.
