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Student
Handbook

Philosophy and Mission

Statement of Mission and Broad Vision

April 14, 2021

The PDS mission is to glorify God by developing boys in wisdom and stature and favor with God and man. We define our education broadly as what happens to the heart, soul, mind, and body of each boy.

We provide a strong academic foundation in a loving and nurturing Christian environment in which all of our boys see and feel the grace and love of the Lord. We seek to impart to our students a Christian faith and foundation that can direct, guide, and sustain them for a lifetime. PDS isn’t just about what happens to a boy through the sixth grade; it’s about what happens to him for a lifetime…and an eternity.

We touch the heart every day at PDS, seeking to graft into the hearts of our boys the love of the Lord, the kindness and respect and courage and forgiveness that Christ modeled for us. America—and the world of tomorrow—must have citizens who can lead both with their minds and their hearts… and citizens centered on serving the Lord.

Our academic programs center on the development of strong critical and creative thinking skills. PDS boys will be skilled researchers, problem-solvers, and communicators, able to evaluate, analyze, and synthesize ideas and information. They will be outstanding readers. They will know how to think and how to learn—vital skills for the world of today and tomorrow.

Our teaching methodology is child-centered, recognizing the importance of boys constructing their own meaning, the reality that there are many paths to learning, and the fact that students learn differently. Our pedagogy is boy-tailored and boy-themed, recognizing that boys learn and develop differently than girls do. PDS uses technological tools extensively when they add value to the learning process. Our curriculum is integrated, recognizing that learning that is connected makes sense and lasts.

We seek to know, understand, appreciate, and celebrate each boy and the unique gifts and talents God has given him. Therefore, we offer a rich and varied curriculum and a wide range of extracurricular and athletic programs. We want every boy to discover and develop passions and to experience success, whether playing the violin or writing poetry or kicking a soccer ball. We offer balanced programs not just to meet the diverse talents and interests of our boys, but because we seek to develop the whole child, broadly defined as including his heart, soul, mind, and body.

We carefully select teachers who possess a passion and commitment to Christian education and to serving boys. They are remarkably talented men and women who share and model with all of their students their Christian faith and love for all of God’s children.