Deterding Elementary School aims to nurture the natural curiosities of students through the arts, humanities and the sciences, motivating them to become lifelong learners. The school hopes to help students be critical thinkers and effective communicators who embrace challenges without fear of failure and grow into leaders who approach new situations with confidence and compassion. Each child participates in the Arts and Music program, which includes a dedicated art room with a full time art teacher and a music program based in movement to develop understanding of harmony and melody. The school also provides a band program, in which 4th grade students are taught to read music with the recorder and 5th and 6th grade students learn instruments and participate in band.