Academics

Elementary/Middle School

PreK - Grade 8

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The DCS Milton Campus

The goal of our academic program is to be intentionally and fully Christian in our curriculum while we help develop the entire student, mind, body, and soul.

At the heart of our academics is the belief that each student has strengths and passions that need to be nurtured in order to know and do God’s call upon his/her life. And so, our teachers use our academic program to provide unique and cross-curricular experiences.

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Program of Study

DCMC utilizes a hybrid-classical approach that has been designed by DCS teachers. Research shows a strong correspondence between early ages and the need for memorization and skills-based learning (pre-grammar and grammar stages, grades PreK-grade 6). As children mature, they naturally begin to ask “why” and desire to see the patterns in the world around them as opportunities to test many of those building blocks previously taught (logic stage, grades 7-8).
Biblical Integration

Our intentionality at DCS is to integrate opportunities at all levels to cultivate biblical critical thinking, regardless of the stage of academic development. An important method in accomplishing this is requiring students to give presentations addressing different perspectives, all with the goal of discovering and testifying to God’s truth.

A DCS Education

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Milton Campus Curriculum Overview

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Pre-Kindergarten - 2nd Grade

During what is considered the pre-grammar stage (3-8 years old), students are enthusiastic learners who especially enjoy games, stories, and hands-on activities. They also enjoy learning through song and recitation, as well as being on their feet and active. with a hybrid-classical focus, DCMC intentionally captures this excitement and energy by strategically teaching within the characteristics these young learners exhibit most readily.
Grades 3-6

During what is considered the grammar stage (8-12 years old), facts become real to students. Students begin to discover ways to analyze and explain the world around them which is evident in their need to talk and share these new concepts with others. In this stage, they also start seeing themselves as part of the world, and they begin to relate their own experiences to discussion topics. These ages also enjoy memorizing, clever word play, poetry, collecting, and organizing.
Grades 7-8

During what is considered the logic (12-14 years old), students like to judge, debate, and critique and they especially like to demonstrate their knowledge. Logic learners also want to know “why” in a much deeper way than during earlier years, and they thirst to know the “behind-the-scenes” facts. Seventh and eighth graders are afforded opportunities throughout the year to embrace their logic stage through lively debates, persuasive oral and written reports, dramatic reenactments and collaborative group work.

Discover More

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Curriculum Features

Media / Technology

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Library

The library is used as a resource for all classes. For students in kindergarten through fifth grade, the expectation is for students to use the library on a weekly basis to read and check-out books. Students in grades six through eight primarily use the library for independent research.
Computer

Kindergarten – Grade 2
Students in kindergarten through second grade do not take a formal, graded computer class. Instead, computers are a resource, used at the discretion of the teacher.

Grades 3-5
Students in third through fifth grade meet for a scheduled computer class weekly. Technology comes into play more as a classroom support.

Grades 6-8
For middle-school students, technology is used for cross-curricular, project-based learning. In addition to typing and word processing programs, design software is also introduced.

Music

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Kindergarten - Grade 2

Students learn rhythmic principles such as melodic patterns and pitch. Students will also learn how to imitate those principles back on percussion instruments and be introduced to the standard notation symbols (quarter notes, rests, treble clef, etc.). Through the study of rhythmic principles and standard notation, the students are also introduced to many different genres of music that will be applied in later grades.
Grades 3-5

Students take the knowledge of standard notation that they learned in their earlier elementary classes and learn to understand and read those notes. They apply that knowledge by learning how to play instruments such as the recorder and the guitar. They are also introduced to the skills and terminology needed to evaluate music and musical performances.
Grades 6-8

In middle school, students take the skills and terminology learned grades 3-5 and learn how to effectively critique and evaluate music and musical performances. These performances include film scores, symphonic pieces, classical compositions, and much more. They also take this knowledge and apply it by composing their own self-compositions on an instrument of their choice (drums, guitar, vocal, etc). Additionally, students learn how to sing in a group with different vocal parts represented.

Art

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Kindergarten - Grade 4

Students are exposed to introductory art concepts along with techniques and tools. The focus is on building fine motor skills through repetition while creating excitement and interest in arts and crafts. Art lessons are multi-cultural and are inspired from art around the world.
Grades 5-8

Students learn a practical application of art and design, learn to apply the creative process to approach projects, apply elements of art and an introduction to digital design. Students are also exposed to art history and various artist styles.

Physical Education

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Program Overview

The Physical Education curriculum at DCMC is designed to instruct the student in basic motor skills, development of coordination and perception, organized game playing, teamwork, nutrition concepts, and fitness. Physical Education provides a venue for teaching godly character: working as a member of a team, encouraging others, being a good sport and doing one’s best to the glory of God.
Kindergarten - Grade 2

Students are taught basic locomotor skills, playground games, health concepts and encouraged to be active with their family and friends.
Grades 3-8

Students are taught health concepts, life-time fitness activities, teamwork, role responsibility, game creation, trust-building, and sports and activities they can teach their family and friends.

Home Economics

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Middle School Program Overview

In Home Economics, middle-school students become familiar with the basics of cooking, baking, and general kitchen etiquette under the supervision of our culinary team.Their wares are also served at numerous school events, and are often used to bless local veterans’ homes and the like.