W E A R E D AV I D S O N D AY
CREATIVITY COLLABORATION CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
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WELCOME ABOUT DAVIDSON DAY SCHOOL Davidson Day School is an independent day school located in Davidson, North Carolina. We educate, guide, and inspire children from 2 years old through 12th grade. Our comprehensive and rigorous academic program is delivered in a small, personal setting. We pride ourselves on knowing each student, how he or she thinks, and how to motivate each one to reach his or her full potential. Founded in 1999, our school is a member of the North Carolina Association of Independent Schools (NCAIS) and of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). We also hold dual accreditation from the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
OUR MISSION AT DAVIDSON DAY SCHOOL Davidson Day School is a diverse independent school that cultivates
academic
excellence
through
collaboration,
creativity, and character development. Each student is offered an active, challenging learning environment through our broad array of programs. We strive for our students to be: •
Independent thinkers who articulate their ideas with confidence;
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Students who advocate for themselves and others;
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Engaged students who take intellectual risks;
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Critical thinkers who are enthusiastic problem solvers;
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Lifelong learners who chart their own paths in college and life; and
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Respectful, ethical citizens who are adept at addressing global challenges.
I AM A LIFE-LONG
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EARLY CHILDHOOD TODDLERS TO PRE-KINDERGARTEN Believing that education is a life-long process, our Early Childhood program seeks to nurture and develop the hearts and minds of our youngest students.Toddlers (age two) through students in our Transitional Kindergarten “TK” program (ages four and young fives) engage in hands-on exploration of the world around them. Our program is designed to help children discover and create with one another. Teachers provide ample time for exploration, as well as lead activities which promote academic readiness in individual, small group, and whole group settings. Our curriculum is designed to be both developmentally appropriate and appropriately challenging, in an effort to meet each child’s specific needs. Character education is infused throughout the day as the children interact and learn how to get along with others who are different from them. In this environment, children develop the skills they need to become successful learners in Kindergarten and beyond.
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LOWER SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN TO 4TH GRADE From Kindergarten through 4th Grade, teachers work to help each student discover and cultivate their potential for learning. Our daily morning assembly helps instill pride in students, as they learn and recite our Patriot Pledge. Character lessons focus on the traits in the pledge, and students strive to be compassionate, honest, respectful, courageous, and safe on a daily basis, as they interact with peers and adults. In the classroom, teachers provide students with a variety of learning opportunities, helping students derive meaning from their direct experiences. Students learn to express their thoughts and opinions clearly and creatively on paper and in presentations. Through collaborative projects, students learn how to work with one another, listening to and sharing ideas. Our Lower School science and technology labs provide enriched opportunities for hands-on experimentation. Art, world language, library, physical education, and music provide additional opportunities for students to develop their skills and talents. Each year brings more thought-provoking experiences to stimulate and satisfy students’ natural curiosity and prepare them for Middle School.
E K N I H I AM AN INDEPENDENT T
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MIDDLE SCHOOL 5TH TO 8TH GRADE In Middle School, we help guide students through their evolving need for independence and self-advocacy. With this goal in mind, we have designed our Middle School purposefully and strategically. Separate two-grade teaching teams conduct the core academic courses (language arts, math, social studies and science) for 5th-6th grades and then 7th-8th grades. The purpose for this structure is two-fold. During these years of swift physical and social development, students work in a two-grade zone and collaborate with their most age-appropriate peers. Plus, teachers enjoy the continuity of working with students for two years, motivating them to seek more challenges. Through their close bond during this crucial developmental stage, teachers partner with students to help build confidence, character, and personal responsibility in each child. At the same time, students learn important life skills such as time management, study strategies, and organization. Above all, our Middle School program provides a safe and supportive environment in which students mature, explore their creativity, and take charge of their learning, all in preparation for the step up to Upper School.
K S I R L A I TA K E I N T E L L E C T U
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UPPER SCHOOL 9TH TO 12TH GRADE Davidson Day’s Upper School is where our mission is fully realized. Our college preparatory curriculum in 9th-12th grades is designed to challenge and inspire young minds to uncover interests and to find and amplify their voices. In English, history, and world languages, students deconstruct sophisticated materials and then analyze and reframe them, making high-level connections and interpretations. Math and science are inquiry-based, welding the abstract and theoretical with concrete application. Students see formulas and experiments at work in the world and then confidently articulate what the data means. Our small class sizes support a Socratic-style environment, where each student is expected to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and advocate for themselves and others. Projects are collaborative and demand creativity, with students learning to leverage each other’s strengths, solve problems together, and motivate peers to focus their efforts. Each spring, seniors deliver capstone speeches in which they consciously reflect upon how Davidson Day’s teachers and opportunities have assisted in developing their character and individuality.
ARTS
Music begins in our youngest grades, as students discover how to sing and play simple instruments. Band instruction begins in 4th grade with performances at athletic contests and special events. In Upper School, an ensemble of guitars, keyboards, drums, and vocals learn to perform classics through today’s pop hits. Lower schoolers may participate in musical theater club, and in middle school, students take theater classes and have the opportunity to audition for two major theater productions per year. From Shakespeare to improvisation, Patriots of all ages delight in building their confidence and sharing their talent. In visual arts, students in every grade use their hands, eyes, minds, and hearts to awaken their creative potential. From drawing and painting to ceramics and digital illustration, we help them grasp artistic principles and explore techniques of increasing difficulty.
L AT E M Y I D E A S W I T H C O U C I T NFIDE NCE I AR I A M D AV I D S O N D AY
ATHLETICS Athletic competition is a powerful teacher. Physical and mental challenges in a team context offer students the opportunity to develop self-confidence and a commitment to others. Through athletics, our students are coached to develop skills and strength as well as sportsmanship and teamwork, preparing them for leadership in the wider world. Starting in Middle School, students are encouraged to join a Patriot athletic team. We offer volleyball, cross country, soccer, football, tennis, golf, basketball, swimming, baseball, track and field, and lacrosse. As a proud member of the NCISAA (North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association), Davidson Day is committed to the principles of integrity, sportsmanship, and healthy competition.
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STUDENT LIFE Davidson Day is a particularly close-knit, inclusive community. Students of all ages and neighborhoods throughout Lake Norman get the opportunity to interact regularly. A treasured school tradition is Patriot Pals, in which young students are paired with older buddies, and they become fast friends over monthly activities. Another significant component of Patriot life is character development. Young people are given steady support on how to accept responsibility, resolve issues, challenge themselves, and persevere. Our students grow from preschoolers just learning to share into seniors who secure acceptance into their colleges of best fit.
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STUDENT THE NEXTLIFE STEP? COME FOR A VISIT
Come explore our school and our mission. Learn how Davidson Day educates, guides, and inspires students of all ages.
750 Jetton Street Davidson, NC 28036 Tel: 704.237.5229 www.davidsonday.org
750 Jetton Street Davidson, NC 28036 Tel: 704.237.5229 www.davidsonday.org
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