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Open Communication at Carden

At Carden Memorial School, we understand the importance of providing our families with a transparent, supportive environment. We believe in open communication, ensuring that every parent has a safe place to ask questions, raise concerns, and feel confident in the education and care their children receive. Our commitment to maintaining a nurturing, secure atmosphere is unwavering, as we know the significant trust you place in us with your child’s education and well-being.

Dress Code at Carden Memorial School

At Carden Memorial School, we believe that a unified dress code is essential to foster a focused, respectful, and egalitarian learning environment. All uniform pieces are exclusively available from Boise Educational Outfitters.

Boys Uniform

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Junior K through B Form (PreK - 5th Grade)

Formal Uniform (Required Thur/Fri – may be worn daily)

  • Pant: Gray Boise Educational Outfitters
  • Shirt: White button-down oxford shirt (must be tucked in)
  • Sweater: Navy V-neck cardigan sweater with Carden patch
  • Tie: Navy and red wide-striped tie
  • Belt: Dark, conservative style
  • Socks: Solid socks in black or navy (must cover the ankle)
  • Shoes: Solid black or navy, sturdy tie, velcro or Vans style slip-on (no white soles)

Informal Options (Mon-Wed)

  • Shirt: Navy or white Carden logo polo shirt in lieu of oxford shirt and tie (shirt may be untucked)
  • Sweatshirt: Navy Carden logo crew or 1/4 zip neck sweatshirt in lieu of sweater

C Form through E Form (6th - 8th Grade)

Formal Uniform (Required Thur/Fri – may be worn daily)

  • Pant: Gray pant
  • Shirt: White button-down oxford shirt (must be tucked in)
  • Blazer: Navy blazer with Carden patch*
  • Tie: Navy and red wide-striped tie
  • Belt: Dark, conservative style
  • Socks: Solid socks in black or navy (must cover the ankle)
  • Shoes: Solid black or navy, sturdy tie, velcro or Vans style slip-ons (no white soles)
  • *These items require a separate Carden patch to be purchased and attached.

Informal Options (Mon-Wed)

  • Shirts: Navy or white Carden logo polo shirt in lieu of oxford shirt and tie (shirt may be untucked)
  • Sweatshirts and Sweaters: Navy Carden logo crew or ¼ zip neck sweatshirt in lieu of blazer.

P.E. Clothing 

  • Gray athletic t-shirt with Carden logo
  • Navy gym shorts with Carden logo
  • Optional navy track pants available
  • Athletic shoes
  • Deodorant
  • Carden provides a mesh storage bag for these items.
  • * P.E. clothes should be laundered each weekend.

Girls Uniform

Jr. K through Upper Prep (PreK - 3rd Grade)

Formal Uniform (Required Thur/Fri – may be worn daily) 

  • Skirt: Hamilton plaid jumper (knee length)
  • Shirt: White Peter Pan collar broadcloth shirt
  • Sweater: Navy Boise Educational Outfitters crew neck cardigan sweater with Carden patch
  • Tie: Red crossover tie
  • Socks: Solid navy knee socks or tights (ankle socks may be worn during warm weather, or navy leggings with navy socks during cold weather)
  • Shoes: Solid navy or black sturdy tie, buckle, or velcro with dark soles (no white soles). No boots in the classroom.

Informal Options (Mon-Wed)

  • Navy or white Carden logo polo shirt in lieu of Peter Pan collar shirt and tie
  • Sweatshirt: Navy Carden logo crew or ¼ zip neck sweatshirt in lieu of sweater

A through B Form (4th - 5th Grade)

Formal Uniform (Required Thur/Fri – may be worn daily) 

  • Skirt: Hamilton plaid box pleat skirt (knee-length)
  • Shirt: White oxford shirt (button down optional)
  • Sweater: Navy Boise Educational Outfitters crew neck cardigan sweater with Carden patch
  • Tie: Navy crossover tie
  • Socks: Solid navy knee socks or tights (ankle socks may be worn during warm weather, or navy leggings with navy socks during cold weather)
  • Shoes: Solid navy or black sturdy tie, buckle, or velcro with dark soles (no white soles). No boots in the classroom.

Informal Options (Mon-Wed)

  • Navy or white Carden logo polo shirt in lieu of Peter Pan collar shirt and tie
  • Sweatshirt: Navy Carden logo crew or ¼ zip neck sweatshirt in lieu of sweater

C through E Form (6th - 8th Grade)

Formal Uniform (Required Thur/Fri – may be worn daily) 

  • Skirt: Hamilton plaid box pleat skirt (knee length)
  • Shirt: White oxford shirt (button down optional)
  • Blazer: Navy blazer with Carden patch*
  • Tie: Navy crossover tie
  • Socks: Navy knee socks or tights
  • Shoes: Solid navy or black sturdy tie, buckle, or velcro with dark soles (no white soles). No boots in the classroom.

*These items require a separate Carden patch to be purchased and attached.

Informal Options (Mon-Wed)

  • Skirts: Boise Educational Outfitters navy or gray box pleat skirt (knee length)
  • Blouses: White oxford shirt
  • Shirts: Navy or white Carden logo polo shirt in lieu of oxford shirt and tie (shirt may be untucked)
  • Socks: Navy or white knee socks
  • Sweatshirts:
  • Navy Carden logo crew neck or 1/4 zip sweatshirt in lieu of a blazer

*These items require a separate Carden patch to be purchased and attached

P.E. Clothing 

  • Gray athletic t-shirt with Carden logo
  • Navy gym shorts with Carden logo
  • Optional navy track pants available
  • Athletic shoes
  • Deodorant
  • Carden provides a mesh storage bag for these items.

* P.E. clothes should be laundered each weekend.

Parent Resources -

2025-2026 Key Dates

Jr. Kindergarten and Kindergarten Open House: September 2, 2025
School Begins: September 3
Teacher Preparation Day – No School: October 10
Fall Break: October 16-17
Thanksgiving Break: November 26-28
Christmas Break: December 22 – January 2

School Resumes: January 5, 2026
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day – No School: January 19
Presidents Day – No School: February 13-16
Teacher Preparation Day – No School: March 20
Spring Break: April 6-10
Memorial Day – No School: May 25
E Form Graduation: May 28
Last Day/Blue and White Day – Noon Dismissal: May 29

Summer Reading Program

Embrace this summer as an opportunity for exploration, imagination, and learning. Visit the Carden Bookshop, select your books, and let the summer reading adventure begin! This program is for students entering grades 3-8. Our program is designed to ignite a love for reading, fostering imagination and learning throughout the summer. Here’s what you need to know to dive into the world of books this summer:

  • Required and Chosen Readings: Students will have the joy of exploring one mandatory title specific to their grade level, plus the freedom to select one or more additional book from a curated list of captivating reads.
  • Purchase Convenience: All selected summer reading books are conveniently available for purchase at the Carden Bookshop, located in our library. Simplify your summer planning by grabbing your books directly from us!
  • Engage Beyond Reading: Students are encouraged to express their insights and engage with the material on a deeper level through our Book Report Forms, designed for each specific grade level.

Upper Prep Summer Reading

  • Required
    • Tornado by Betsy Byars
  • Choice Read
    • A Mouse Called Wolf  by Dick King-Smith
    • The Great Cake Mystery by Alexander McCall Smith
    • The Sword in the Tree by Clyde Robert Bulla.
  • Upper Prep Book Report Form

A Form Summer Reading

  • Required
    • My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Gannett
  • Choice Read:
    • Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Florence and Richard Atwater
    • Twenty and Ten by Claire Huchet Bishop
    • The Mystery of the Missing Lion by Alexander McCall Smith
    • Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder
  • A Form Book Report Form

B Form Summer Reading

  • Required:
    • Mr. Tucket by Gary Paulsen
  • Choice Read:
    • The Castle in the Attic by Elizabeth Winthrop
    • Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Brink
    • The Black Stallion by Walter Farley
    • The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare
  • B Form Summer Reading Report Form

C Form Summer Reading

  • Required:
    • The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
  • Choice Read:
    • Homer Price by Robert McCloskey
    • A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
    • Twenty-One Balloons by William Pène du Bois
    • Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac
  • C Form Summer Reading Report Form

D Form Summer Reading

  • Required:
    • The Giver – Lowry
  • Choice Read:
    • Elephant Run by Roland Smith
    • The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
    • Banner in the Sky by James Ullman
    • Soldier Dog by Sam Angus
    • My Side of the Mountain – George
  • D Form Summer Reading Report Form

E Form Summer Reading

  • Required
    • On the Wings of Heroes by Richard Peck
  • Choice Read:
    • Savvy by Ingrid Law
    • Shackleton’s Stowaway by Victoria McKernan
    • Streams to the River, River to the Sea by Scott O’Dell
    • Shakespeare Stealer by Gary Blackwood
    • A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
  • E Form Summer Reading Report Form

For any questions or more details on the bookshop hours, please don’t hesitate to contact our office. Happy reading, and we look forward to a summer filled with wonderful stories and discoveries!

Frequently Asked Questions

Carden is called a "non-denominational Christian" school. What does that mean?

Carden Memorial School is a Christian institution that focuses on the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Bible, praying, and adhering to fundamental Christian principles. However, we do not promote any specific religion; instead, we value and respect all religions, and we teach our students to do the same.

What materials do I need to buy before school begins?

You do not need to buy school supplies apart from your child’s uniform. The registration, materials, and activities fee you have paid covers the cost of all classroom materials, including textbooks, art, science, drama, workbooks, supplies, and other materials. In addition, the fee also includes the cost of field trips and special class activities and luncheons.

How much homework can my child expect each day?

Starting in 2nd grade, students are given assignments in math and daily reading practice. As they progress into the upper grades, they may need to complete additional assignments in Latin, language arts, writing, history, and science.

Why does the school require uniforms?

Students at Carden are engaged in the important business of getting a good education. Wearing a uniform eliminates competition in dress and fosters self-discipline. A uniform and dress code frees students from the distractions of current fads or trends in clothing, hairstyles, and accessories. Our goal is to instill a sense of refinement and dignity in our students and maintain an atmosphere where learning is the focus.

How much participation is expected from parents?

We do not mandate parental involvement in the classroom, but we welcome parents to participate in field trips, weekly devotionals, and school functions such as our Pancake Breakfast, Fall Carnival, Spring Social, and school plays and programs. On some occasions, we may invite parents to assist with hands-on science experiments or special events, and they will be given advanced notice for such volunteer opportunities.

How does the school handle lunchtime?

Students bring their own lunches from home to eat in the classroom. Teachers will typically read or play classical music during this quiet downtime.

We also offer a lunch alternative on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, which may be ordered online

Why does Carden study Latin?

Latin is an exceptional language as it provides students with an unparalleled approach to language learning. By studying Latin, students not only gain knowledge of Latin grammar, but also develop a solid educational foundation that includes an improved understanding of language mechanics in general, a mastery of English grammar, and an expanded vocabulary. Most importantly, Latin, like mathematics, develops analytical thinking abilities. It requires students to master new material and apply it appropriately in different situations. Latin and mathematics are two sides of the same coin, as both train the mind to think and analyze, which will benefit students in all educational endeavors.

When are Parent-Teacher Conferences held?

Scheduled conferences are held twice a year (fall and spring) for all grades

May I take my child out of school for family vacations, doctor appointments, and other activities?

We want your child to be at school as much as possible, but we also recognize special circumstances may arise, and students may need to miss school. Please contact your child’s teacher in advance if there will be an extended absence, so arrangements can be made to make up any essential work.

Does the school have an Extended Care program?

We offer a morning Extended Care which begins at 7:30 a.m., and an afternoon Extended Care which runs until 5:30 p.m. Please contact the office if you want to register your child for extended care. View our information on before and after-school care here.

Where do students go after they graduate from Carden?

A large portion of our graduating students choose to attend their local public high school, while some prefer private schools. Regardless of their choice, parents generally discover that their children are academically well-equipped. Many students also take advantage of Honors and AP classes in high school.

What kind of education does Carden’s teachers have?

Carden teachers are highly educated, life-long learners. All of our teachers are college-educated and hold at least a Bachelor’s Degree. In addition to their formal training, they all receive ongoing training in the Carden Method. Each teacher averages an additional 50 hours of continuing teacher training each year.

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Have Questions?

At Carden Memorial School, we’re more than just an educational institution; we’re a supportive community dedicated to providing a classical Christian education in a loving environment. Contact us today, and we’d love to answer more of your questions.