Under the leadership of Upper School Head Stephen Higgins, our Patriot Scholars meet once a month to plan and execute two to three priorities for the year that support their mission. Their work is grounded in discussion and inquiry, stemming from national research on independent school education, which aligns directly with the International Baccalaureate philosophy. Our students ask each other questions such as, “How do we motivate the student body to pursue excellence?” and “How do we develop more experiential learning into the curriculum?” Open dialogue and authentic curiosity guide this group to make a difference both immediately and leave a lasting legacy in areas including but not limited to, academic excellence, motivation, and balanced leadership.

Our Patriot Eagle scholars are leaders in every sense of the word, often going on to achieve the highest honors in high school and beyond:

• Dylan Swick, Class of 2024, became a National Merit Semi-Finalist and served as the Student Government President before matriculating to Davidson College in NC.
• Evan Schwartz, Class of 2025, a National Merit Finalist, spearheaded the launch of the Computer Science Honor Society chapter at CDS and was a two-year president of our DECA organization before matriculating to the University of Florida.
• Rohan Patel, Class of 2025, a National Merit Semi-Finalist, was part of CDS' first-ever state championship boys' soccer team and a two-year captain of our inaugural boys' volleyball team. Rohan was also a three-year speech and debate captain, earning a two-time national qualification in the National Catholic Forensics League and Lincoln-Douglas debate before enrolling at the University of Chicago.
• Avery Wallace, Class of 2026, a National Merit Commended Scholar, spearheaded our Florida Green School designation, working closely with facilities and our food vendor, Flik, to ensure sustainability remains top of mind long after she graduates. She was not only a two-time Round Square participant traveling to Kenya and Romania, but she also took that experience and led the inaugural Round Square Conference at CDS. Avery served as a Speech and Debate lead captain her sophomore year and President her junior year, leading the largest number of CDS students to ever qualify for nationals. She is a member and officer in several honor societies and presented at TEDx in 2025 on astrophysics.  She is also the co-founder of The Giving Tree LLC, a not-for-profit organization that produces student-led fundraising activities for local nonprofits.
• Alyssa Chen, Class of 2027, joined CDS in high school and quickly bolstered our school's orchestra with her piano and violin skills, while also performing with the Tampa Metropolitan Youth Orchestra and qualifying for All-State. She holds a leadership position for our HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) chapter and is a two-year captain and current President for our Speech & Debate organization. 
• Swara Patel, Class of 2027, the only CDS student to be an ISEF (International Science and Engineering Fair) finalist, was selected to participate in the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y), where she spent the summer studying critical language skills in Morocco.  As a scientific diver, Swara has participated in multiple dive coral restoration mission trips. Swara has published research papers in multiple peer-reviewed journals and has also held an internship with both the Florida Senate and a Congressperson in the House of Representatives during high school. Swara was also one of only 25 students globally selected as a speaker at the 80th UN General Assembly Youth Science Parliament on Environment and Climate in New York City.

Dedicated College Counseling: Your Edge

We understand that test scores are key to accessing top universities. That’s why our support for high-achievers extends far beyond the scholarship award itself. Our College Counseling Department is dedicated to providing specialized, targeted support. Through our National Merit Scholar Development Program, we identify potential National Merit Scholarship recipients. This program provides targeted test prep for our highest-achieving PSAT students in 9th and 10th grade to maximize their performance on the qualifying test in 11th grade.

When you join CDS, you gain a partner dedicated to your student’s success from day one through college acceptance.

Take the Next Step

The Patriot Eagle Scholarship is actively seeking exceptional candidates for the next class. We encourage high-achieving students to begin the application process now. The best way to start is by taking the SSAT with us and visiting our campus:

• Upcoming SSAT Dates: December 13th and January 31st.
• Tour Opportunity: You can schedule a campus tour and take the SSAT on the same day for maximum convenience.

Ready to join a legacy of excellence? Click this link to apply and register for an SSAT test date at CDS today and schedule your tour.