Fundamental to DECS mission of academic and personal excellence for every student is our array of specialist subjects as we work to address the whole child.
North Star Specialist Offerings
Physical Education: Students in grades K-8 have physical education class every other day. We encourage the development of lifelong health and wellness skills.
Visual Arts: Students in grades K-8 have art every other day. We encourage students to use a variety of creative tools and materials to express themselves through ideas and art concepts. In the Junior Academy students also have opportunities to learn photography and animation.
Spanish: Students in grades 2- 8 have the opportunity for Spanish every other day. In the primary and elementary grades students are exposed to a variety of lessons about Hispanic culture as well as become familiar with speaking and writing Spanish. In the Junior Academy, Spanish focuses on the four skills needed to obtain language acquisition — reading, writing, speaking and listening. Many students leave our junior academy program with one high school credit in Spanish.
Outdoor Science: Primary students, grades K-2, enjoy outdoor science class every other day. A variety of science standards are covered as students explore our great outdoors.
Music: In grades K-4 students experience music through song, play, instruments, movement, creating, reading notating and listening. With the use of many wonderful resources, including the Quaver online music curriculum students learn the elements of music while connecting to style, culture and other disciplines. In grades 5-8 students have the opportunity to build on this music foundation with choices of choir, band or music appreciation. Both choir and band allow for every other week small group lessons as well.
Raleigh Specialist Offerings
STEAM Lab: Students at Raleigh have an every other day exploration of STEAM activities, combining science, technology, engineering, art and math into a wide variety of interactive projects and possibilities
Physical Education: Students in grades K-5 have physical education class every other day. We encourage the development of lifelong health and wellness skills.
Visual Arts: Students in grades K-5 have art every other day. We encourage students to use a variety of creative tools and materials to express themselves through ideas and art concepts.
Music: Students experience music through song, play, instruments, movement, creating, reading notating and listening. With the use of many wonderful resources, including the Quaver online music curriculum students learn the elements of music while connecting to style, culture and other disciplines. In grade 5 students have the opportunity to build on this music foundation with choices of choir, band or music appreciation. Both choir and band allow for every other week small group lessons as well.