Younger Program

Following the natural curiosities of children is the main focus of the Younger Program curriculum. For ages fives and six (kindergarten and first grade), we grow each child's desire to learn by making play-based activities the foundation of everything we do. In our Younger program, your children will spend lots of time outdoors, as well as engage in mathematics, language arts, science, social studies, gardening, and art. Students will receive regular guidance and support from teachers through warm meetings and everyday interactions.

Mathematics: We teach math with a hands-on approach, which leads students to construct personal mathematical understanding and to develop confidence in their mathematical abilities. Students work with money, learn patterns, explore math in literature, create graphs, gain fluency with number sense, apply geometry, measurement, and practice estimation.

Language Arts: Each day RCS students express themselves through journal writing, poetry, student-published books, and storytelling. RCS teachers use games, poetry, songs, and handwriting to create a whole language education for every student.

Social-emotional development is at the center of students' learning. As conflicts inevitably arise, we ensure that each child's voice is heard and show that by listening to one another we strengthen our community. RCS uses class meetings as a forum where all are heard and understood. Class meetings enable all participants to observe and practice positive role modeling.

Presentations: We find great value in giving children the opportunity to share their work and their personal experiences with their peers throughout the school year.

Science: Our science program is built on daily investigations of the environment and the interests of the children. Students make observations, ask questions, experiment, make predictions and draw personal conclusions. In science, as with all areas of learning, concept development is a continuous and individual process.