A well-rounded education personalized to each student is what Rye Country Day Head of School Randall Dunn says has earned the institution high praise from a leading educational publication.
Earlier this fall, Niche — a publication that connects students and families to schools — ranked Rye Country Day School (RCDS) No. 1 in Best Private High Schools in Westchester County for the third year in a row, with an A+ overall grade. That encompasses individual grades in multiple areas, including an A+ in academics, teachers, clubs and activities, and college prep; an A in diversity, and an A- in sports.
“Obviously we love the fact that we get that recognition,” Dunn told The Record.
But even more than those letter grades, he said what really makes Rye Country Day — a high school of 477 students located along Boston Post Road in Rye — shine is its individualized approach. He said students can play a sport or an instrument, and they can dance, draw, sing, and more.
“I think one of the things that makes kids stand out is that it rounds kids out,” Dunn said. “It’s an exciting place to be.”
While the RCDS academic program, special resources for students, and low student-to-teacher ratio contribute to its success, Dunn also emphasized how the diversity of the student body sets the school apart. Racial diversity is a part of that for sure, he said, noting that the school is more than 40% students of color.
But he also said the admissions office prioritizes kids who “think differently.”
“That’s an important form of diversity at the school,” Dunn said.
The institution’s financial aid packages allow the opportunity for students from all different communities and socioeconomic backgrounds to attend RCDS, he said. Annual tuition ranges from $49,000 in the lower school — including pre-k and kindergarten — to $55,600 in the upper school. Fifteen percent of the student body receives financial aid, according to the RCDS website, totaling about $7.4 million.

Niche’s school rankings combine ratings from students, families, and alumni, with data from sources like the U.S. Department of Education, according to Niche Public Relations Manager Zach Chatham.
“This comprehensive approach assesses a wide array of factors, providing a well-rounded perspective on educational institutions across the country,” Chatham told The Record.
Niche releases rankings and in-depth profiles on colleges and high schools every year. This year, the organization published their high school rankings on Sept. 30. The French-American School of New York in Mamaroneck and Hackley School in Tarrytown ranked second and third in best private high schools countywide, respectively.
Scarsdale Senior High School, Bronxville High School, and Horace Greeley High School were ranked first, second, and third in Westchester County for best public high schools, respectively. And Rye High School ranked fourth on the list.
Rye Country Day’s application process, which Dunn said is “quite competitive” with just a 24% acceptance rate, is already underway for fall 2025. The deadline to apply for admission and financial aid is Dec. 15.