For new junior Alison Levin, the transition from having 35 people in a class to fewer than that in a grade has been surprisingly easy.

“I wanted a smaller school and class size,” she said.

Levin said small class size and individual attention for each student, as well as one-on-one opportunities with teachers, were lacking at Davis High School, which she attended as a sophomore.

Because the class size is smaller at SCD students have a chance to become friends with everyone, even those outside of their own grade, Levin said.

“I like it. If you didn’t know anyone outside of your grade, you wouldn’t have very many friends,” Levin said.

Levin also said that at SCDS students are “generally friendlier here.”

“People introduce themselves to new people unlike in most schools.”



“The teachers at Country Day are a lot more interested in what you’re doing. Students are more engaged most of the time,” Levin said.

“I think more of us is expected here, academically,” said Levin. “You can’t get away with doing mediocre work here.”

At SCDS Levin is working with the seventh graders in the peer-mentoring group. And she is taking Digital Music for her electives.

Outside of school Levin is really into ballet. “I’ve done it since I was three; I train with the school of Sacramento Ballet,” Levin said.

On an average, Levin dances two-and-a-half hours a day. She says that some days she even does up to four hours.

In seventh grade Levin visited Country Day but “didn’t feel like changing schools then.” Now she’s glad she did.

“Private school is a self-selected group. The people who are here want to be. In public school you get everyone,” Levin said.

“People are more motivated, which pushes everyone to do their best.”