Complements Classes
Every Lower School student attends Spanish, Art, PE, Music, Science Lab, Technology, Library, and a weekly class with the school counselor. We believe that making connections makes learning meaningful, and our Complements teaching team works with classroom teachers to connect what the students are learning across multiple disciplines. Examples include Spanish and Music collaborations surrounding Hispanic Heritage month, Art and Science working together on a project inspired by North Carolina’s Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, and PE’s commitment to folding real world mathematical thinking into their weekly games.
Art
Our Art program is designed to expose students to a wide range of mediums as they explore what art means to them. Above all, we cultivate an environment where students feel safe to create and hold the belief that everyone is an artist.
PE
From teamwork on the field to mastering physical coordination, our weekly PE classes are designed to keep kids moving and thriving. We focus on building vital health and life skills in an uplifting environment where joy and active play go hand-in-hand.
Science Lab
Whether diving into hands-on dissections, programming robots, or launching messy experiments, our students don’t just learn science—they experience it. Science Lab provides those vibrant, memorable moments where curiosity is sparked, minds are stretched, and making a mess is part of the discovery.
Music
Similar to our Art classes, it’s important that all students hold the belief that music is for everyone. Through singing, dancing, and playing instruments, students discover the role music plays in the world around them, particularly the universal joy that music can bring in its many forms.
Spanish
Step into a vibrant, fully immersive environment where English is left at the door and Spanish comes to life. Through engaging songs, interactive stories, and daily routines—progressing into advanced reading and writing—our students develop a natural, authentic connection to the language that goes far beyond simple vocabulary and conjugations.
Technology
In a world dominated by screens, we empower students to transform technology from a distraction into a powerful tool for good. Our curriculum focuses on instilling healthy digital habits, honing technical skills, and fostering exceptional digital citizenship to help students confidently navigate an increasingly connected world.
Library
Fostering a love of reading is one of the most important things we do at TDS, and we do it well! Students attend weekly structured library lessons, and they are also encouraged to circulate through our library on a regular basis to access a wide selection of books curated specially for them.
Reflections
Social-emotional growth is woven directly into our school culture. Each week, our school counselor meets with every class to help students cultivate emotional intelligence—empowering them to name feelings, resolve conflicts, and advocate for themselves and others, all while discovering what it truly means to live out our TDS core values.