You’ve learned about the "why" behind what we do at Davidson Green School—why we use Multi-Age Classrooms, Creativity and Problem-Solving, and Social-Emotional Learning. But how do these principles come alive for our primary and elementary students each day at DGS?
We’re sharing how these values take shape in our kids' daily routines and the remarkable impact they have on their growth, confidence, and sense of community.
Overnight Field Trips
We don’t just do field trips—we do them like no one else. What we do is important, but how we do it makes all the difference. Our overnight trips give students the chance to challenge their comfort zones in a safe and supportive way, to explore freely within boundaries, and to build close friendships through shared experiences. Starting in Primary, students ease into travel with walking or day trips before taking the plunge into overnight adventures starting in 1st grade. Along the way, they take an active role in planning, organizing, and even meal preparation, growing their independence and self-efficacy.
From Primary through Middle School, there is an intentional and thought-out progression. Students advance from sleeping in cabins to sleeping under the stars, from packing a duffel bag to carrying everything they need on their backs. Our students gain confidence, develop grit, and cultivate a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.
Free Play and Nature Time
We know that kids love being outside—and we want them outside as much as possible! But not just for fun. Outdoor time is essential for their cognitive, social, and physical development. We start our day outside, break for a generous lunch and playtime, and end the day outside.
At DGS, free play is about giving students the freedom to be exactly who they are. It’s not a gym class with drills and structured activities—it’s a chance for our kids to make their own choices, be creative, solve problems, and explore what they need in the moment. Maybe that’s running hard in a game of soccer, swaying on a hammock with a friend, or venturing into the woods to uncover cool rocks or build something out of sticks and leaves. Our amazing woodland playground encourages open-ended play, with no rigid steps or instructions to follow. This is their time to play, to explore, to collaborate, and to figure out their world on their own terms.
Guiding Peer Relationships
At our school, inclusion, kindness, and support are part of our everyday work. Times of conflict are opportunities to grow. With peer-led conflict resolution tools like the Peace Rose, students take an active role in learning to communicate, express their feelings, and find common ground together.
While other schools might ignore conflicts or rely on detentions or suspensions, we take a different approach. We take the time to learn together. We pause, bring students together, and guide conversations to repair relationships and build understanding. It’s fundamental at DGS that we work as a classroom and as a school to be supportive, encouraging, inclusive, kind, and caring for one another.
Responsibilities
Daily responsibilities beyond schoolwork are part of our routine. They help students take ownership of their environment and feel proud of a job well done. These moments foster self-efficacy, showing kids that they have the skills and determination to tackle challenges, and they nurture problem-solving abilities that go far beyond the classroom.
Studies show that doing chores leads to happier, more successful people—and we see that every day in the pride our students take in contributing to their community. Responsibilities and chores at DGS are part of our approach to building capable, confident kids who truly believe in themselves.
Space for Diversions
Our curriculum is important to us, and included in that is intentional space and time for students and teachers to dive deep into topics, go down rabbit holes of curiosity, and explore what inspires us right now. Our teachers have the freedom to follow students’ interests, explore deeper questions, and create authentic moments—like mapping the path of an eclipse, playing in unexpected snow, or researching a newfound passion. Unlike typical schools, which need to rush through rigid curriculums to meet test deadlines, we build in and embrace flexibility, giving students time to dig deeper and truly engage with their learning. It’s an education that respects both structure and the wonder of discovery.
Engineering and Problem Solving
“Problem Solved” is our motto, and it’s central to everything we do. Our engineering projects teach students to celebrate the process of building, testing, failing, and trying again or learning from our mistakes. They learn to approach problems with a growth mindset, seeing challenges as opportunities for learning and improvement. And it doesn’t stop with engineering—solving problems is woven into every part of the day. On Farm Days, students work together to figure out how to increase oxygen levels in the aquaponics tank. During chores, they confront real-life challenges that require collaboration and problem solving to complete their task. We let them take the lead, only stepping in to guide them when needed.
Authentic Learning
Learning at our school is about doing, exploring, and making connections to the real world. Instead of just talking about entrepreneurship, our students run a Farmers Market—creating products, handling money, and thinking about sustainability every step of the way. Lessons on simple machines come alive as students design and build their own Rube Goldberg machines. Studying energy takes the class out to a local hydroelectric plant to see it in action. From cooking their own meals to building an aquaponics system and practicing sustainability through composting and gardening, our students get their hands dirty and their minds engaged. This is learning that sticks—with relevance, excitement, and purpose.
Make Next School Year a Year to Remember
Your child deserves an education that ignites their passions, builds their confidence, and supports their unique growth. At DGS, these moments happen every single day. Apply now and experience the thoughtful, hands-on education that sets Davidson Green School apart.
Interested in learning more about what we do at Davidson Green School? Join us for one of our upcoming information sessions, take a tour of our school and learn more about how we put our values in action every day.