La Jolla Country Day School (known informally as "Country Day," "LJCDS" or "LJCD") is a highly selective private school in La Jolla, a community of San Diego, California. It was founded as the Balmer School by Louise Balmer in 1926. The school contains a lower school (consisting of nursery through fourth grade), a middle school (grades 5-8), and an upper school (grades 9-12). The school's motto is "Scientia Pacifica" (peace through knowledge). Its tuition varies (depending on grade level) from $25,000 to $30,000 per year. Its chief rivals are two private high schools, The Bishop's School in La Jolla and the Francis Parker School in San Diego. Country Day features basketball, volleyball, track and field, ice hockey, roller hockey, swimming, water polo, cross country, tennis, baseball, softball, fencing, ultimate frisbee, cheerleading, football, lacrosse, and soccer, among other sports. It is in close proximity to University of California, San Diego. Richard C.