Specials

A Lower Elementary student plays drums during music class.

The inclusion of art, music, Spanish, and physical education is an important part of our tailored curriculum.

ART: Students from kindergarten through grade six enjoy formal art lessons that use a variety of materials to cover a broad range of fundamental skills and techniques, as well as the study of individual artists.

SPANISH: MSD offers lessons in Spanish language beginning in Kindergarten. Interactive lessons build basic vocabulary, and students focus on conversational Spanish and cultural awareness in lessons.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION: Our curriculum for all levels includes daily outdoor play, as well as a regular physical education curriculum for grades K-6. Kindergarten students take part in daily outdoor play as well as movement and yoga lessons. Elementary students have weekly PE classes that focus on coordination and motor skill development, creative movement, and understanding the rules, strategies, and fundamental skills of a variety of sports. All PE classes emphasize social-emotional learning through collaborative activities that encourage inclusion, good sportsmanship, and healthy competition.

MUSIC: Music is incorporated in the classroom daily.  Elementary children have access to keyboards, recorders, drums, and xylophones, ukuleles, among other instruments.  They also receive direct weekly instruction in the fundamentals of rhythm, music theory, reading music, and specific instrument lessons.  Additional instruction in drums, piano, and ukulele is available after school through the Enrichment program.

READING: Our reading specialist works with all children K-6 in assessing reading progress, selecting “just right” and “challenging” books and goals for reading, and identifying and addressing any areas of need.

Upper Elementary students play a game in PE class.
A Lower Elementary works with paper to make a 3D art work.
An Upper Elementary student practices ukulele.