Phoenix Country Day School was founded in 1960, when a group of educators led by Franz and Mae Sue Talley agreed to found a nonsectarian, nonprofit, college preparatory day school based on the traditional east coast private school model.^[1] Franz Talley was the founder of an aerospace/defense contractor in Mesa, which grew into conglomerate Talley Industries before the businesses were largely sold off in the years after his death in 1978.

On 12 September 1961, Phoenix Country Day School opened its doors to 93 students in grades 3 through 9 with a faculty and staff of 14. The following year, a half-day kindergarten and grades 1 and 2 were added, and grades 10 through 12 were added in successive years to graduate the first senior class in 1965. By the 1969–1970 academic year, enrollment was at 386.

In the 1970s, facilities were expanded to accommodate the growing student body and the development of competitive sports teams. The school's graduating classes measured in the teens and twenties, and the upper school program offered core graduation requirements and courses and electives that reflected faculty interests and abilities.

In the 1980s, Phoenix Country Day School implemented an Advanced Placement program that was added to assist in gauging standards of academic skill. Having purchased the second half of the school's now-40 acres in 1968, Phoenix Country Day School was able in 1982 to build a new upper school complex and a gymnasium for indoor sports on the east side of the Cudia Wash, and a dedicated music facility on the west side of campus. A bridge was built to join the lower and middle schools with the upper school.

By 1996 enrollment reached 700. Between 1993 and 2008, the school replaced or renovated over 90% of its classrooms. Every division saw major construction and renovation, including the addition of state-of-the-art science labs and an outdoor experimental science garden, visual art and performance facilities, and technology facilities. The entire lower school was replaced, and an early childhood learning center was added. This part of campus also has its own library, science center, art studio, and children's garden.

The lower school consists of approximately 200 students in grades K through 4, and the core curriculum is expanded by the study of music, art, science, physical education, technology, library science, and Spanish.^{[citation needed]}

The middle school has 250 students in grades 5 through 8 with class sizes at 20 students or below. For these students, the school offers athletics programs, class trips and student council opportunities.^{[citation needed]}

The upper school students mix a liberal arts-based academic schedule with sports, social activities, and community service. Although Ap courses are no longer offered, AP tests can still be taken at the end of the year.^[2] and students can select from 17 varsity sports and 15 extracurricular activities.

On the school's annual Blue and Gold Day (17 October 2014), the school kicked off its THRIVE fundraising campaign with a video^[3] featuring many faculty members and students. The campaign promised to bring about new projects, such as a new indoor athletic complex and art/science center.^[4]

Phoenix Country Day School offers extracurricular programs for all ages.^{[citation needed]}

Junior Classical League edit

The school's Junior Classical League has won many State Conventions in the Junior Classical League. The school has both a middle school and upper school team which it sends to the convention every year, with the upper school having won the past three conventions in a row.^{[citation needed]}

Speech and debate edit

The school's policy debate team won a number of 1A-3A state competitions over the past 10 years. The Lincoln-Douglas Debate and Speech started in 2013, very successfully.^[when?][5]

Robotics edit

The For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology Robotics team, Blue Tide Robotics, started in 2007 with several middle-school students' participation in FIRST Lego League. In 2014, they qualified for the semifinals again and also won the Quality Award.^[6]

Phoenix Country Day School competes as a member school of the Arizona Interscholastic Association.^{[citation needed]}

• Official website
• Archived school robotics site
• Arizona Interscholastic Association profile