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How can I learn more about DGS?

Attending an upcoming information session is a great way to meet us, see our space, and to get all your questions answered. It is also the first step in our admissions process. All parents/guardians are asked to visit the school before submitting an application. If the information session days and times do not work for you, please feel free to make a private appointment. We love showing people our school home and all we do here!

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What is a typical day like at DGS?

The best way to peek into DGS is to visit our Blog, Facebook page or Instagram page for a glimpse into our everyday activities and philosophies. Also, feel free to make an appointment to visit during a typical school day to see us in action.

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What are school hours at DGS?

Middle School and Upper Elementary students should arrive at school between 8:15 am and 8:30 am each morning. Lower Elementary students should arrive at school between 8:30 am and 8:45 am and Primary students should arrive at school between 8:45 am and 9:00 am.

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All students except Primary students are dropped off at the side of the school by the kitchen door and wooden ramp. Drop-off for Primary students is at the back of the building at the door to the Primary classroom.

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For Primary half-day students, pick-up is between 1:10 and 1:15 pm. For Lower Elementary and Kindergarten students, pick-up time starts at 3:00 pm and ends promptly at 3:15 pm. For Upper Elementary and Middle School students, pick-up starts at 3:15 pm and ends promptly at 3:30 pm.

 

Pick-up for Primary half-day students is at the back of the building at the door to the Primary classroom. All other students are picked up at the side of the school by the kitchen door and wooden ramp.

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How is food and food allergies handled at DGS?

All students eat a snack and lunch at DGS, and all snacks and lunches must be brought from home. Also, each child is expected to have a full water bottle each day. We determine if a food will be banned from DGS according to our population each year. If we have a student with a severe allergy to any food, we will ban that food from school.

 

How are your multi-age classrooms structured?

Our multi-age approach in all classes is similar to the Montessori approach. We have four levels (or classes) in our school:

 

Primary is ages 3 and 4, and kindergarten

Lower Elementary is 1st, 2nd, and 3rd

Upper Elementary is 4th and 5th

Middle School is 6th, 7th, and 8th

 

Do you plan on becoming a charter school?

No, we do not have any intention of becoming a charter school. Our plan is to remain a private school.

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Do you plan to go beyond Middle School?

No, we plan to remain a k-8 school. This model provides the strongest environment for middle school students for many reasons. In a k-12 school, high school programs and facilities receive most of the school’s attention and resources. At DGS, k-8 is the focus of all we do. Our middle schoolers receive the attention and resources they deserve. Furthermore, our middle schoolers get to be the leaders of the school which is usually reserved for high schoolers, and through these opportunities develop strong leadership and interpersonal skills. In addition, our middle schoolers do not face the trickle down effect of high school social pressures. In our relatively protected environment, our middle school students can enjoy the last years of their childhood without the heavy influences of social pressures, which makes the entry into adolescence less stressful for boys and girls. At DGS, your pre- and early teen will be fully supported by teachers who deeply understand who they are and, in many cases, have known them for years. This model at DGS sets your child up to enter high school academically, socially, and emotionally ready to take on the next challenge.