RUMSON – The Rumson Country Day School (RCDS) has launched its first capital campaign in 15 years, Our Best Endeavor: The Second Century Campaign for RCDS.
The transformative initiative is designed to modernize campus facilities and position the school for continued excellence in its second century. As RCDS approaches its 100th anniversary, the campaign reflects a commitment to ensuring that its physical spaces are on par with the strength of its distinguished academic and extracurricular programs.
“Our Best Endeavor represents both a celebration of our legacy and an investment in our future,” said head of school Carson T. Smith. “While we will always honor the principles and traditions that have long characterized a Rumson Country Day School education – ideals that have served generations of alumni well – we also recognize the need to prepare our students for the world that they will enter when they graduate from RCDS.”
Phase I of the project, unveiled in the fall of 2024 and self-funded, has already benefited students. Those upgrades included the creation of an Innovation Lab equipped with cutting-edge technology, a new library and a professional-grade woodshop.
The first visible work of Phase II began over spring break in March, with demolition in key areas of the Upper School. Classes typically held in these spaces were relocated to ensure continuity in teaching and learning. This work marked the start of a series of campus enhancements that will unfold over the next year and a half.
Campaign priorities include modernizing Upper School classrooms, building a new state-of-the-art athletic arena, creating a multipurpose atrium and renovating the historic Chad Small Family Dining Room.
A small group of families has already made leadership-level commitments. That generosity has helped launch the campaign and inspire broader community participation.
For more information about the campaign or to learn how to support Our Best Endeavor, visit rcds.org/bestendeavor or contact the RCDS Advancement Office.
The article originally appeared in the April 16 – 22, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
