Admissions at PCD

Welcome to Providence Country Day School! We are glad you are here and appreciate you taking the time to learn more about PCD as you search for the best fit school for your child and family. We are excited to share our school and community with you and invite you to explore our website and social media pages, visit our campus, and engage with us to discover “why PCD.” I also encourage you to introduce yourself via our Inquiry Form or reach out to any member of the Admissions Team at any time during your search process. We are always happy to help, and we look forward to assisting you during this exciting time.

On behalf of our Admissions Team,

Melanie Parsons
Director of Admissions and Financial Aid

PCD seeks to enroll students from diverse backgrounds who have shown consistently strong academic achievement, as well as responsible citizenship, intellectual curiosity, and the desire to be respectful and actively engaged members of their school community.

There are several components of the application, all of which help our office assess compatibility between the prospective student and the school. The process for each candidate at every grade level is personal, thorough, and self-reflective.

Admissions Downloads

A Completed Application for Admission Consists of the Following

There are several components of our application, all of which help our Admissions Office assess compatibility between the prospective student and the school. A complete application consists of the following:

For Lower School applicants (grades Pre-K-4):

Official transcript from the current school (current and previous years), if applicable.
Teacher Recommendation: one from the current classroom teacher, if applicable.
Campus visit and conversation with a member of the Lower School faculty. Please contact the Admissions Office at 401-438-5170 x137 to schedule.

For Middle School and Upper School applicants (grades 5-12):

Official transcript from the current school (current and previous years).
Teacher Recommendations: one from the current English teacher and one from the current Mathematics teacher, or from the current classroom teacher (whichever is applicable).
Interview with a member of PCD's Admissions Office. Please contact the Admissions Office at 401-438-5170 x137 to schedule.

Please note: an entrance exam is not required for students applying for admission.

Important Application Deadlines

List of 5 items.

December 1, 2025
- Returning Families: Financial Aid Application deadline
December 31, 2025*
- New Families: Initial Financial Aid Application deadline
- More information is available here.
February 1, 2026*
- Admissions application deadline
- All admissions materials are due to the Admissions Office on this date, including interviews and visits.
February 20, 2026
- Admissions and financial aid decision notification
- All decisions for admission and financial aid will be emailed to applicants on this date.
March 6, 2026
- Family decision notification
- Enrollment contracts and decision notifications are due to PCD by this date.

*After the above deadlines, the Admissions Office will continue to accept applications on a rolling basis as space and funds allow.

Please contact the Admissions Office, at (401) 438-5170 if you are interested in learning more about PCD and the application process.

Campus Tours and Interviews

As part of the admissions process, prospective students will spend some time visiting the Providence Country Day School campus.

Please contact the Admissions Office at 401-438-5170 to schedule your visit. We look forward to meeting you soon!

Applicant Evaluation

It is important to keep in mind that all prospective students are evaluated relative to the pool of students applying at each grade level. PCD's Office of Admissions is committed to maintaining open and clear lines of communication with prospective students and their families to help make the search for an independent school a smooth and positive experience.

The Providence Country Day School does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, or sexual orientation in administration of its educational programs, activities, and employment practices in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Jacob Rivet, Class of 2021

When I came to PCD as a freshman, the first students I met went on to attend Brown and the University of Pennsylvania. They were role models. It really motivated me to try harder, seeing these alumni do well. That really stuck: hard work pays off.
Will White, Class of 1984

The lesson that PCD taught me, that has stayed with me to this day, is accountability. You were always expected to perform to certain standards, whether in the classroom, on the field, or in the hallway. It’s the main thing that you must embrace to succeed. Show a willingness to be held accountable and opportunity will follow.
Abby Rogol, Class of 2006

I learned the importance of community from my time at PCD and I carry it with me everyday. I have been inspired to seek out and create a sense of community in every stage of my life from college, to my working career, to my home and family life.
A PCD Faculty Member

I never want to stifle the natural curiosity that my students have. I want them to experience the joy, the awe, the satisfaction of discovery. That's what keeps me going and I hope that's what keeps them going too.
Kevin Godinez, Class of 2021

One of my favorite parts of PCD is the small class sizes and the small student population in general. It allows students to form a close relationship with their teachers, making the learning experience better. The small student body allows for a close-knit community that would be much harder to have at a bigger school.

Meet the Department

List of 3 members.

Melanie Parsons

Director of Admissions and Financial Aid, Middle School Admissions Liaison
Peter Walsworth

Associate Director of Admissions, Upper School Admissions Liaison
Aquila Harris

Admissions Counselor, Lower School Admissions Liaison