Our approach to academics
At Terra Verde Discovery School, our academic program is thoughtfully designed by exceptional faculty who serve as both teachers and mentors. Curriculum is carefully mapped from Pre-K through 8th grade using college readiness standards and enriched through research-based texts, cross-curricular instruction, and project-based learning.
Small class sizes foster meaningful relationships and personalized support, allowing students to be both challenged and known. Through Responsive Classroom practices and collaborative learning environments, students develop strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Our goal is to graduate as confident, capable learners who are prepared for high school, college, and lives of purpose—students who think deeply, serve their communities, and lead with integrity.
The TVDS experience includes
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Morning Meetings mark the start of each day and serve as a vital connection point between our students and our Core Virtues program. Gathered in multi-age groups, we take time to reflect, share, listen, and build a sense of community that is both joyful and intentional.
More than a routine, Morning Meeting is a Responsive Classroom practice that fosters trust, encourages empathy, and promotes positive behavior. It creates a space where courtesy, curiosity, and connection thrive—and where every student feels seen, heard, and valued. Whether through stories, games, celebrations, or discussions, this time sets a tone of warmth, safety, and belonging that carries through the rest of the day.
Morning Meetings are led by teachers, students, staff, parents, and community guests—each bringing their own voice and perspective. It is one of the most beloved traditions at Terra Verde and a daily reminder of who we are, what we value, and how we grow—together.
Divisions
Dear Families,
In Terra Verde Discovery School’s Pre-K classroom, we intentionally honor and preserve the true joys of childhood. Our days are built around curiosity—questions asked freely, discoveries made eagerly, and learning that unfolds naturally through exploration. As a child-centered, inquiry-based program, we follow students’ interests and guide them through rich, hands-on experiences that build foundational skills while nurturing wonder.
We are deeply committed to helping each child grow into an independent thinker who believes in themselves as a capable and unique individual. In our classroom, children learn not only letters and numbers, but also empathy, confidence, and respect for the diverse identities that shape our world. We practice listening, collaborating, problem-solving, and celebrating differences—skills that are just as important as academic readiness.
Throughout the year, our discoveries are woven through meaningful themes, outdoor exploration, creative expression, and, most importantly, play. We spend generous time engaged in what we know to be the most important work of childhood: imaginative, purposeful play. It is through play that children test ideas, build friendships, strengthen resilience, and fall in love with learning.
Warmly,
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The Lower School program carefully considers all aspects of a child’s development: emotional, social, physical, and cognitive. We believe that children learn best in a positive environment that utilizes developmentally appropriate curriculum that builds upon itself year after year. It is our hope that our curriculum is an expression of Terra Verde’s mission, which is to preserve the joys of childhood and learning, while cultivating creativity and critical thinking that stresses the importance of entrepreneurial enthusiasm, ecological sustainability, and ethical benevolence. We recognize that the first years of a child’s academic life are critical for establishing positive attitudes and a love for learning. We value the natural desire to learn through discovery and self-expression. We continue to strive to build upon our students’ curiosity, while instilling in them the importance of virtuous behavior.
Language arts, reading, math, social studies, and science are taught by the classroom faculty. Foreign language or language skills and classes in music, art, physical education and wellness, are part of each student schedule. Please feel free to request individual course scope and sequences and descriptions for further information.
Welcome to Terra Verde Middle School—
A place where students are challenged to grow, encouraged to explore, and supported every step of the way.
With a background in early childhood education and classroom experience across grades 1 through 5, I’ve always believed that play, curiosity, and discovery are essential parts of learning—no matter a student’s age. That belief doesn’t stop at middle school. At Terra Verde, we intentionally design our schedules, classes, and outdoor experiences to preserve the joy of learning while meeting the high academic standards that define our school.
What drew me to Terra Verde was our uncompromising commitment to both excellence and humanity. Our faculty are the best in the field—not only skilled educators, but also mentors who see and support every student. We teach deeply, think boldly, and never forget to laugh along the way.
Our community lives by the “Four Ps”: we are Prepared, Prompt, Polite, and Productive. These values shape the way we move through our days—balancing accountability with kindness, and high expectations with deep care. Our students are thinkers, leaders, and learners who engage with the world around them with confidence and integrity.
Middle school is a pivotal time in a student’s life, and at Terra Verde, it’s more than just a bridge between childhood and adolescence—it’s where students learn who they are and who they want to become. I’m honored to walk alongside them during this formative chapter.
We’re not like other schools—and that’s the point. I hope you’ll come visit and experience it for yourself.
Middle School Director