LOWER ELEMENTARY School: Grades 3-4

School is what kids do for a living — they need to experience success on the job.

How does your child learn best? In elementary school, many children need a high level of individual attention from teachers who Understand and Honor their unique learning styles so they can Achieve. This not only provides a solid academic foundation, it allows students to discover what it feels like to develop a Passion for learning! 

At Tampa Day School, families typically come to us because they feel their child is simply surviving in another learning environment, and they know they are capable of thriving. Our Lower Elementary program helps students discover the joy of learning because we recognize strengths and address challenges in a truly personalized way. Below, you will find information on our program, including:

  • How our approach to education differs from traditional school systems
  • Why parents choose us to partner with them
  • Special classes and unique features of our lower elementary program

Questions about whether our program would be a good fit for your child?

Schedule a conversation with our Admissions Coordinator, Paula Pennington, at (813) 269-2100 X 306 or email admissions@tampadayschool.com.

The TDS Approach

We help frustrated learners realize their full potential and restore confidence that may have been lost elsewhere. This is accomplished through:

  • Small class sizes, where every child is engaged and experiences success daily
  • An intentionally designed schedule with three periods of reading and languages and two periods of math to build foundational skills and foster confidence
  • Collaborative learning activities that help students develop positive relationships with their peers
  • The lower school team brings their experience, expertise, and enthusiasm to provide a robust grade level academic program, while providing research-based academic intervention for students who struggle 
  • A hands-on, project-based approach which reaches a variety of learning styles and keeps young students engaged

Tailoring Education to Meet Each Child Where They Are

By emphasizing strengths and teaching kids to utilize the tools that they have, we foster independence and self advocacy from an early age. This all begins with seeking to Understand your child’s unique strengths and learning needs. Some of our incoming students have already received specific diagnoses such as dyslexia, ADHD, or anxiety. Others don’t fit into these categories, but still benefit from our tailored approach to education.

A few things students (and parents!) love about the TDS approach:

We help frustrated learners realize their full potential and restore confidence that may have been lost elsewhere. This is accomplished through:

  • Homework Lab — a designated time during the school day for students to receive help with their homework assignments
  • Daily Electives — Music, art, performing arts and physical education
  • Enrichment Period — a customized course for every child that is an opportunity for them to develop key skills and receive support where they need it most
  • Tutoring — one-to-one tutoring available on-site during the day for intensive remediation in reading and math
  • Clubs & Athletics — numerous opportunities for students to explore their interests and develop talents in the arts, sports, and more. 
  • Brain Breaks — research-based breaks built into daily schedules to reduce stress and strengthen peer relations.
  • Technology Integration — 1-1 iPad program allows us to leverage technology for individualized instruction
Words from a TDS Parent

Our daughter was diagnosed with a reading/spelling disability and we knew we needed to intervene immediately, so we enrolled her at Tampa Day School. As a parent, it’s difficult to measure a child’s improvement, but this one thing I do know, our daughter started devouring books, which had never happened before.

~ DEBORAH D.

Meet a Teacher

Beth Golden

Beth Golden

Years of Experience: 28 years

Years at TDS: 20 years

“When students come to Tampa Day School is it usually because their previous school setting might not have been able to discern the student’s true learning style, strengths and weaknesses,  or they did not have the resources needed to meet the needs of the child. At Tampa Day School, we partner with parents to quickly understand what the child needs and how we can help them succeed. It’s not just that our long-term faculty (with an average of 14 years of service in our school) have more expertise and specialized training. That’s true, but even more importantly: each teacher has a relentless drive to meet each student where they are and help them grow, from wherever they are, right now. Our teachers see past the surface-level and get what’s really going on for each child.”

Take the Next Step

Ready to learn more about how your child can thrive at Tampa Day School? Download a Parent Info Packet Now or reach out to us at admissions@tampadayschool.com to schedule an Open House visit. We look forward to meeting you!