Get to know the Upper School Student Ambassador Board Members as they reflect on their time at LJCDS.
These dedicated leaders are the heart and soul of our student ambassador program. Representing the diverse perspectives of our school community, they play a vital role in guiding our over 100 admission ambassadors through a variety of projects and activities. From leading campus tours and connecting with prospective families to organizing cross-divisional events, our board members are passionate about sharing their love for LJCDS and positively impacting our school.
If you would like to connect with one of our ambassadors, please email ambassador@ljcds.org.
The LJCDS community is so incredibly welcoming, and we are so fortunate to have so many opportunities at our school. I truly believe that it is a special place for everyone, as the community is strong, and the leaders are very enthusiastic.
I would tell new students not to be afraid to try new things. I believe that stepping out of your comfort zone is truly what will help you redefine who you are and what you enjoy doing. By doing new things, you create more opportunities for yourself, which is why I would encourage new Upper Schoolers not to be afraid to try new things.
My favorite memories at LJCDS are being part of the community service board and organizing events. I love helping the community and making a difference in others’ lives.
I chose LJCDS because of the people, the teachers, the academics, and the community. The school is very welcoming and has plenty of opportunities, and everyone has a place here. Regardless of your passion, the school guarantees that it has something for you and that you will find people who align with your interests.
During my time at LJCDS, I have learned a lot about myself and my interests, along with what I want to pursue in college. I have discovered my interests in STEM, science, and math. I have grown a lot and have learned proper time management and how to balance academic work with sports and other activities.
In my freshman year, I joined the Investment flex and Torrey Startup flex and enjoyed both. I’ve never been interested in history, but I took AP U.S. History with Dr. Halloran in my sophomore year. It was the first history class where I felt engaged the whole year and was interested because her teaching style was so dynamic.
Make your focus like a funnel: try everything in freshman year, then hone in on your interests every year after. It sounds so cliche (I’ve heard it myself a million times), but the number of opportunities at LJCDS is infinite—you make yourself a part of existing programs or create entirely new ones.
I joined the LJCDS Dance Team, which was an awesome experience! I took the Future Doctors and Scientists flex, which was extremely helpful, and I learned a tremendous amount about the medical field through guest speakers, presentations, and hands-on activities. I was also a member of the Tri-M Music Honors Society, which was a great community of musicians participating in community service events. I was also on the LJCDS Equestrian Team, which I aspire to help grow further!
My teachers and my coaches have inspired me to take on every aspect of my life with passion. My physics teacher this past year completely inspired a love for physics. Coming into this past school year, physics was a bit daunting. However, my teacher was so enthusiastic from the beginning. He would come to class happy and excited to teach. Seeing his obvious love for the subject made the subject more approachable. This experience awakened a passion for physics. My love for the subject has inspired me to achieve greatness.
LJCDS has allowed me to grow in all aspects of who I am. For example, through the various artistic opportunities, I have been able to learn how to do ceramics and how to add depth and perspective to my paintings. This has encouraged me to be more observant and enlightened me about the world around me. I have even been able to embrace my inner musicality through choir and the instruments I have played, and the many different plays that have been performed and watched in the Four Flowers Theater. Through these experiences, I have blossomed into someone I used to look up to when I was a Tiny Torrey.
When I joined LJCDS in ninth grade, I decided to try the dance team as a sport and soon realized my passion for it! At first, I was really worried about my stage fright, but I was soon surprised by how much I enjoyed dancing in front of a crowd.
I tried cheer for the first time last year. During tryouts, I met other members, and we went over some routines. Everyone was so nice and supportive, and I immediately felt welcome.
Our community is very diverse and supportive. There are people from so many different backgrounds who, through LJCDS, come together as a family who love and support each other.
In my design and innovation classes, I have learned so many new skills. I’m shocked at the number of cool tools in the Innovation Lab. For example, we made stickers. There is a literal sticker cutter, one of the most fun tools I’ve used!
The LJCDS community stands out for its welcoming atmosphere and strong sense of support. Every teacher and student encourages one another to pursue their goals, which does not happen at all schools. With a wide variety of sports and clubs, students can explore their passions and develop their skills in a nurturing environment. Teachers and coaches are especially supportive. If I ever felt upset, there was always a teacher to talk to, and the special relationships built within the community make it truly unique.
The LJCDS community is connected. With less than 130 students per grade level you get to know everyone and even people in upper or lower grades. This builds a strong and connected community so we can all feel close to one another. LJCDS is special because I feel as if I know everyone. This makes it really easy to ask for/give a helping hand. By knowing a lot of people in a personal community, I feel we have built a strong student body at LJCDS. The connected environment fosters learning in a way that is unique to LJCDS. It is easy to get help when you feel so comfortable asking for it. It is easy to make friends when you know a lot of people in such a personal community. The LJCDS community is strong but mighty as we are a collective force to pick each other up.
Being a student at LJCDS for 15 years, I have grown into a person I am proud of. I have learned valuable lessons about leadership, dignity, and integrity. I have not only grown in the LJCDS community, but I have also watched the school grow. As we experience the inevitable change of maturing, I have had LJCDS foster my interests and passions with opportunities to explore what catches my eye. I am fortunate to have found my path, both personally and academically, through LJCDS and its opportunities.
I feel like I have found myself at LJCDS. Because there are so many opportunities to try new things, I have been able to try different creative outlets and discover what I like. LJCDS has helped me learn to self-reflect and be honest. Also, the teachers and staff really want to get to know me and honestly do care about me.
My favorite memory is from this year during Little Torrey Cheer. The LJCDS cheer team works with students in the Lower School to create a routine with the Upper School cheerleaders that we perform at the Homecoming game. This year has been really special for me because I got to bond with one of the lower schoolers, and I have absolutely loved getting to work with the younger kids.
One class that I have tried that surprised me was Advanced Applied Engineering. Initially, I believed that the class would be like any other, but I was happily proven wrong. Whether it was building a working wind tunnel or a cool mousetrap car, this class never failed to disappoint, cementing it as one of the most interesting classes I have taken in my time at LJCDS.
I have grown greatly both emotionally and academically during my time at LJCDS. Throughout my time here, I have grown to become both a more empathetic person and a more academically successful student.
A lot of my favorite memories at LJCDS come from the Experiential Education programs. In 2023, I went to Belize for a service learning program where we helped build a school but also explored Mayan ruins, sacrificial caves, and coral reefs.
Always go into office hours with your teachers if you need help, they love to help you and it will better your understanding and connection with your teachers.
I chose LJCDS when I came to Middle School because of the opportunities that it offers and the larger range of classes and sports I got to choose from. The community is just so special and it makes school a lot more enjoyable.
There is such a strong sense of welcoming and inclusivity. There is always an activity or class that is right for you, and you get a chance to meet new people.
The teachers push me to grow as a student and as a person. They encourage me to go beyond my comfort zone, helping me explore new opportunities and achieve more. My teachers’ reassuring words and support helped me through challenging times. Their guidance has sparked curiosity, inspiring me to explore new passions and interests each year.
The LJCDS community places a strong emphasis on the relationship between faculty and students, recognizing the vital role everyone plays in establishing a collaborative environment. I value the importance of this connection, which enables meaningful partnerships between students and faculty. Everyone is dedicated to supporting students throughout their journey, guiding them toward success inside and outside of school.
The Country Day community is made up of support, respect, diversity, inclusivity, and so much more. But the best part about our community, in my eyes, is for us students to see each other grow. Some of us have been here since Kindergarten, and some are brand new, but everyone is treated equally and immediately finds a home in the Country Day community.
By immersing myself in LJCDS's countless opportunities, I have learned skills that have set me up for success for the rest of my life. Public speaking, teamwork, leadership, and time management to name a few.
I have learned to chase what I love and to put in the effort for the outcome I want. I’ve grown up in a community that has ensured that everyone feels connected and that no one is left out.
The LJCDS community has provided many opportunities for students to meet new people and find classes and activities that they find enjoyable. The community at LJCDS has not failed when it comes to making everyone feel included and allowing students to take all sorts of different classes, resulting in students feeling unique but similar to one another.
I will miss doing theater shows with my best friends and competing for the school in sports, but I will always remember the people I met who helped me become the person I am.
I got the chance to take Innovation in Upper and Middle School. It was such a unique experience where I got to learn how to use tools like the 3D printer and laser cutter. The class also had enough freedom where I was able to try and start new projects.
Teachers and coaches have inspired and challenged me in various classes. Teachers challenged me to grow and learn, and they also met with us outside of class, making sure we fully understood class materials. My swim coach has always been at swim meets, having team meetings, and supporting us through every event.