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From Our Head of School

Olaf Jorgenson Head of School

 

Special Message

Olaf Jorgenson

Since 1982, Almaden Country Day School has shaped confident, balanced, enthusiastic learners. Across four decades, our objectives as a school remain steady and robust: to challenge, stimulate, and care for every student, every day; to balance character development with academic rigor and joyful learning; and as our mission promises, to discover the gifts in every child. 

By every measure, from our academics to joyful student culture to our placement results in the area’s private high schools, we are succeeding; talk with an ACDS parent, and you’ll hear the stories firsthand. We’re determined to continue meeting these goals, and then some. 

This school year, we move forward with hope and purpose as we enjoy familiar and cherished ACDS practices and traditions, welcome and onboard dozens of new families in what is the largest opening enrollment in the history of the school, and celebrate the warm and caring community interactions that have defined our school since its founding.

What’s more, this year our students will enjoy our new Speech and Music Center, renovated maker space and library, and the spectacular 15,000 square foot Fisher Event Center. We have so much to be grateful for at ACDS, on many fronts, and it’s a very exciting time to join the Cougar Nation.

I thank you for your interest in Almaden Country Day School. If you’d like to learn more about the ACDS experience, or to arrange an on-campus tour, please contact Mary Jo Heindel, Director of Admissions and Outreach. Meanwhile, please consult our FAQ page for more information, and enjoy exploring our website!

Warmly,

HOS signature

Dr. Olaf Jorgenson
Head of School

Featured Book

Raising Kids Book Release

Raising Kids: Your Essential Guide to Everyday Parenting is written by a unique team: popular San Francisco Bay Area family therapist and parenting consultant, Sheri Glucoft Wong, and Almaden Country Day School head, Dr. Olaf Jorgenson.

These authors offer parents upbeat, empowering guidance that covers the what, why, and how of effective parenting, providing easy-to-grasp tools and language that have already benefited thousands of parents.

Buy Your COpy AT Amazon.com

Sheri and Dr. J would appreciate your book review once you’re done reading – please consider leaving a review for Raising Kids on Amazon.com or GoodReads.com.


Publications and Interviews

Dr. Olaf Jorgenson — a leader in the educational community — is actively involved in the education field. From speaking at conferences and publishing journal articles and books to serving as a Klingenstein field instructor, he's on the cutting edge of what's happening in education.

Girls working at computer

As parents seek schools balancing academic rigor and nurturing environments, ACDS offers a holistic approach emphasizing joy and self-worth alongside academic achievement, challenging prevailing beliefs about success and happiness.

Girls working at computer

Parents and teachers are like shift workers on the same job. At school, we see that students are best supported when parents and teachers are a team, coordinating to promote the social, emotional, and intellectual development of children.

Independent School Magazine Summer 2022 Issue

As in gymnastics, bull riding, and bicycle racing, when independent school leaders make an unscheduled dismount, leaving their positions suddenly—what NAIS research refers to as an “unplanned transition”—the result can be painful and costly to the head and the school community.

Dr. J's Recommendations

This list of recommendations is for parents, students and community members who are passionate about education. The list will evolve and grow over time and be a resource for those who want to learn more. Explore, reflect and enjoy …