Roland Park Country School

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why choose an all girls' school?
What is the average class size?
How long is the school day? Is before and after school care available?
What is the RPCS uniform?
What is the laptop program at RPCS?
Can my daughter participate in the tri-school coordination?
What foreign languages are offered?

Why choose an all girls' school?
The influence of gender on intellectual and social development has been documented by psychologists and specialists in education. Among others, noted researcher Dr. Carol Gilligan has shown that girls are collaborative, cooperative, interdependent and relationally oriented. At RPCS, we capitalize on the research about how girls learn. Research also shows that girls in a single gender school are more likely to select and succeed in advanced math, science and technology classes. The experience of our students validate these findings.

At RPCS, girls feel as if they are part of a family, and, in fact, they are. The girls are taught to support and value each other, and each is encouraged to reach her potential as a student, as a citizen and as a unique individual.

An all-girls' school creates a culture of achievement where accomplishments help each girl form her own sense of identity: what she believes in and how she translates those beliefs into action are critical.
Girls enjoy not just equal opportunity, but every opportunity to speak, write, and lead. RPCS creates leadership opportunities in academics, athletics and in the arts. Teachers, administrators, older students, and alumnae serve as positive role models and mentors. At RPCS, the benefits of a single sex environment are balanced by our commitment to the reality of a broader environment: our tri-school coordination with Gilman School and Bryn Mawr School is offered throughout the Upper School.

For more information about the benefits of all girls' education contact the National Coalition of Girls' Schools.

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What is the average class size?
RPCS has a faculty-student ratio of 1 to 6. The average Kindergarten class size is 12 - 14. The average Pre-first class is 16 - 18 and First and Second Grades have three homerooms with an average of 12 -- 15 girls in each homeroom. Third through Fifth Grades have two homerooms each with an average class size of 18 - 22 in each homeroom. Beginning in Kindergarten, the girls are placed in three or four smaller groups averaging 10 - 12 for reading and math based on ability. In Third through Fifth grades, in addition to the three to four smaller reading and math groups, the girls also break up into smaller groups of about 12 -- 15 for almost all of their classes. The Middle and Upper School have average class sizes of 14 – 16 girls.

How long is the school day? Is before and after school care available?
Lower School: The Lower School day is from 8:05 am until 3:15 pm with the option of a 2:40 pm pick-up for Kindergarten. Students in the Lower School may arrive as early as 7:30 am as part of the regular school day. After School Program (ASP) is provided daily until 6:00 pm for a fee. ASP is also available on a drop-in basis.

Middle School: The Middle School Day is from 8:10 am until 3:30 pm. Sixth grade athletics practice during the school day. Seventh and Eighth grade athletics practice after school until 4:45 pm. Supervised after-school study hall is available from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm daily.

Upper School: The Upper School day is from 8:05 am until 3:45 pm. Upper School Athletics practice and play games after school and ending times vary greatly. The library is open and staffed on Monday through Thursday until 6:00 pm and Friday until 4:00 pm.

What is the RPCS uniform?

Roland Park Country School - Uniform Regulations
Every RPCS student is expected to be correctly and neatly dressed at all times. Uniforms and shoes must be properly fitted and in good repair. Shoes must fully enclose the heel and toe. Blouses and shirts must be tucked in. Please refer to the Red Book for regulations regarding athletic (game day) wear. Following these regulations is the joint responsibility of students, parents and faculty. A note must be brought from home to explain any uniform variation. (Please refer to Uniform Guidelines for each Division’s specific requirements located on the RPCS website.)

Lower School

Blue uniform jumper.
White short or long sleeved polo shirt, blouse or turtleneck with RPCS logo.
Red RPCS gym shorts.
White bobby socks that cover the ankle, navy blue knee socks, navy blue tights or navy blue full-length spandex.
Brown tie or saddle shoes. Examples of appropriate shoes are pictured on the RPCS website.
Navy blue cardigan or crewneck sweatshirt with RPCS logo.
Navy fleece vest with RPCS logo – 5th grade only.
No jewelry may be worn by LS students except for stud earrings for pierced ears. Only clear nail polish is acceptable.

Middle School

Blue uniform skirt, no shorter than four inches above the knee. Allow a generous hem because growth will happen.
Navy blue uniform pants with RPCS logo. Plain brown or red leather or red RPCS logo belt.
White short or long sleeved polo shirt, blouse or turtleneck with RPCS logo. (Any t-shirt worn under the uniform must be all white; no logos)
White socks with cuffs that extend above the shoe, navy blue tights or navy blue full-length spandex
Shoes: Predominantly white, gray or navy athletic shoes (with shoelaces) or brown, flat-heeled, laced, oxford-style shoe. All shoes must fully enclose the toe and heel and be worn with socks.
Navy crewneck sweatshirt, navy cardigan, navy pullover sweater or navy fleece vest - all with RPCS logo (Please note: Middle School-ers wear only navy in vests, sweatshirts and sweaters). No hooded sweatshirts
Gym uniform: Regulation RPCS red shorts, regulation grey RPCS athletic t-shirt. Navy blue sweatpants are to be worn outside only.
Jewelry as appropriate to the uniform. Only clear nail polish is acceptable.

Upper School

Blue uniform skirt in good repair (specifically, the skirt must button or zipper fully).
Navy blue uniform pants with RPCS logo. Plain brown or red leather or red RPCS logo belt.
White short or long sleeved polo shirt, button-down/oxford shirt or turtleneck WITH RPCS logo (ANY t-shirt worn under the uniform must be ALL white; no logos).
White socks, navy blue tights, navy blue knee-high socks, or navy blue full-length spandex.
Shoes: Predominantly white, gray or navy athletic shoes (with shoelaces) or brown, flat-heeled, laced, oxford-style or penny loafer shoe. All shoes must fully enclose the toe and heel and be worn with socks.
Navy or grey crewneck sweatshirt, navy cardigan or navy pullover sweater – ALL with RPCS logo. No hooded sweatshirts.
Gym uniform: Regulation RPCS red shorts, regulation grey RPCS athletic t-shirt. Navy blue sweatpants are to be worn outside only. Teams wear team uniforms for scheduled games.

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What is the laptop program at RPCS?
In providing education RPCS believes that every student needs access to technology. For technology to be an effective tool, a computer must be available when and where a student needs it—in the classroom, in the science lab, in the library, and at home. Laptops provide students the flexible resources they need, empowering them to become active and responsible participants in their learning. Beginning in Kindergarten, girls take computer courses as part of the curriculum. All students in Grades 7 - 12 must purchase a laptop computer and will be trained in the use of that computer and the entire school is wirelessly connected to the Internet.

Can my daughter participate in the tri-school coordination?
All Upper School students have the opportunity to take courses through our tri-school coordination program. Students from RPCS, Gilman School and Bryn Mawr School may take classes at all three schools. Coordination in Grades 9 - 10 is offered in some Languages. Juniors may participate in coordination through Grade 11 English and American History. Seniors may choose from a wide variety of electives offered through the tri-school coordination program. Students have the opportunity to meet other students, experience a co-educational environment, explore other campuses, and, above all, have many more courses and sections available.

What foreign languages are offered?
RPCS takes pride in the breadth of its foreign language program. French and Spanish classes begin in Kindergarten and students have a half year of each through Grade 2. In Grade 3, girls enroll in either French or Spanish and study the one language intensively through the Grade 8. Chinese is now offered as well begining in the 6th grade. The majority of our eighth graders also take one year of Latin. In Upper School, students may choose from eight languages. At RPCS, Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish are offered. Latin and Ancient Greek are offered at Gilman and German is offered at Bryn Mawr. Upper School students may take more than one foreign language.

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