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PreK class having reading time outside

Our Mission and Vision

Guiding Principles

Our Mission  Princeton Day School cultivates intellectual vitality and strength of character within a community of compassion, shared responsibility, and play.

Our Vision  To empower each student to act with wisdom and purpose.

Our Core Values  Humanity, Creativity, Intellect, Joy, Stewardship

Motto  Semper Luceat

These principles, approved by our Board of Trustees in February 2025, reflect what has defined PDS for generations. To learn more about the community listening process behind these statements, read "Finding Our Thread," originally published in the Summer 2025 Journal.

Mission, Vision, and Values

Upper school latin class in session

Living Our Values

Humanity  We nurture the qualities that connect us and foster a sense of belonging: openness, empathy, respect, and kindness. Affirming each individual's inherent dignity, we lead with integrity and a deep sense of what it means to be human.

Creativity We discover possibilities where others see limitations, finding insight in setbacks and approaching challenges with bold curiosity and resourcefulness. Through imagination, we inspire innovation.

Intellect We practice inquiry, critical reasoning, and the essential art of learning how to learn. As teachers and students, we evolve our understanding through meaningful dialogue, building the habits of mind that sustain academic growth and an enduring love of discovery.

Joy  We embrace the energy of purposeful connection and exploration. In moments of growth, wonder, and delight, learning becomes a source of lasting inspiration and fulfillment.

Stewardship  We thrive on the shared knowledge that we are all connected — to each other, across communities, and throughout the natural world. By learning from history, making intentional choices, and taking deliberate action, we shape both today and tomorrow.

 

A group of students during a peer group activity

 

Semper Luceat

Semper Luceat, meaning 'Always Shine', speaks to the shared power of our community. Some days, we guide the way forward; other times, we draw strength from the light around us. This cycle of giving and receiving, of teaching and learning, leading and supporting, sustains our collective spirit.

Entrance view of the Roots of Excellence Gallery Exhibition

 

Roots of Excellence

Discover how our mission is grounded in a proud history of growth, resilience, and purpose.