PDS offers rigorous and individualized academic instruction.  From the earliest stages of learning to read and write and of learning to add and subtract, the children systematically enjoy an artful combination of the most progressive as well as traditional approaches to the core subjects.  The teachers are fully capable of providing full class instruction as well as small group exploration and experiences.  The teachers carefully monitor the academic progress of each child in all areas of the curriculum and make necessary adjustments to meet their needs while maintaining high standards in all subject areas.