Community Day School Love the learning, Live the Values 

Middle School (Grades 6-8)

Standing up for your beliefs. Taking the lead and having an impact on your community. Learning from dedicated, passionate educators who teach to every child’s highest potential. Challenging yourself academically, athletically, and creatively. Expanding your intellectual boundaries to find deeper meaning in knowledge. Understanding how Jewish life can connect, inspire, and empower. Discovering who you really are.

Welcome to Middle School at Community Day School―an independent, co-ed day school for Pittsburgh families of diverse Jewish backgrounds. Grades 6 to 8 represent an exciting and transformative time in a child’s life.

We’ve created a joyful educational environment that guides our students to become independent learners, organized time managers, and critical-thinking problem-solvers.

Time and again, our alumni tell us that how and what they learned at CDS put them far ahead of their peers in high school, college, and beyond. And most importantly, our students become mensch-like leaders with the confidence and skills to make a positive difference in the world.

Discover for yourself how Middle School at CDS stretches our students’ minds and nurture their souls at this critical stage in their lives. I am privileged to help them navigate this journey and look forward to seeing you on our campus soon.



― Mark Minkus, CDS Head of Intermediate School and Middle School 

Learn more about
Middle School

Mark Minkus Headshot

Mark Minkus was appointed Head of Middle School in June 2012. He comes to Community Day School with more than 20 years experience as Head of School at an independent, religious day school. He has a bachelor's degree in Education from Slippery Rock University and a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Geneva College. For the last two decades, Mr. Minkus has helped teachers grow through professional development and challenged students to reach their potential through high expectations and the implementation of a rigorous curriculum.