WHERE ALL GIRLS THRIVE

Our math program, Math in Focus, is rooted in the Singapore Math approach, which helps girls build confidence, curiosity, and a deep understanding of mathematical ideas. From the earliest grades, students develop strong number sense and learn to recognize patterns and relationships in the world around them. Lessons emphasize problem-solving, reasoning, and applying flexible strategies that make sense to each learner. Through the concrete–pictorial–abstract progression of concept mastery, girls are encouraged to visualize problems, explain their thinking, and approach math with creativity and confidence.

Curriculum Details

Our literacy program aims to develop confident, independent, and self-motivated readers and writers. We nurture strong communication skills and a lifelong appreciation for literature through instructional methods, meeting each girl where she is and helping her grow. At the heart of the program is the Phono-Graphix method—a structured, systematic, and multisensory approach to teaching letter-sound relationships that builds strong decoding, spelling, and comprehension skills. Ongoing progress monitoring ensures that instruction is responsive and effective. As students advance, they develop greater stamina for reading and writing, engage in Writer’s Workshop to practice the drafting–editing–revision process, and learn to write for different audiences and purposes. Lessons in grammar and mechanics support clarity, confidence, and creativity in written expression.

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The purpose of the Lower School social studies program is to help students understand their place in the world—both within the global community and across historical time. Beginning with an exploration of self and family, students gradually expand their understanding to include their local community, city and state, country, and the wider world. Geography and research are woven throughout the curriculum, fostering curiosity and connection. A central theme in this progression is an emphasis on the power of the individual—the idea that each person has the ability and responsibility to make a positive impact on the world around them.

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All science units in grades K-4 derive from the Next Generation Science Standards and engage girls in the areas of Life Science, Earth and Space Science, Physical Science, and Engineering Design. Units are hands-on and performance-based and strive to enhance our girls’ natural curiosity. As girls explore the science content and how it connects to the natural world, they develop key learning skills – communication, collaboration, inquiry, problem-solving, resilience, and flexibility.

Learning is extended to the outdoors while working in the Lower School garden or visiting the Backwoods. The gardens provide an opportunity to teach basic skills in growing and harvesting plants, caring for the environment and encouraging individual wellness. 

Curriculum Details

The Lower School art curriculum covers many of the skills necessary for meaningful self-expression. These skills include: use of shapes, understanding the color wheel, and qualities of 2D and 3D design, as well as composition using balance and spatial relationships. The Lower School curriculum also takes on an historical perspective that includes art units inspired by famous artists and varied cultures.

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Two languages are offered in the Lower School: French and Spanish. Students in grades K-2 will have the opportunity to learn both French and Spanish for a semester each in an exploratory learning environment. 

Starting in third grade, students choose one world language to study for the last two years of Lower School, allowing them to deepen their understanding of other cultures, appreciate the value of learning another language, and cultivate a lifelong interest in language learning.

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The Lower School music program combines the Orff and Kodály teaching approaches to nurture a love of music while building strong foundational skills. The Kodály method emphasizes singing and follows a child-centered sequence, helping students internalize rhythm and pitch in a natural way. For example, children begin by learning simple rhythms—like quarter and eighth notes—that connect to familiar movements such as walking and running. These patterns form the basis of the folk songs and games used throughout the K-4 program.

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The Lower School STEAM Programs is guided by RPCS’s Four Pillars of STEM Programming: Computational Thinking, The Engineering Design Process, Designing with Empathy, and Ethical Use of Technology. 

In our K-4 STEAM classes, students grow as curious thinkers, inventors, and problem-solvers. Signature projects bring learning to life at every grade level. These experiences help students imagine, create, and share their ideas with confidence, preparing them to navigate both the digital world and the challenges of the future.

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In our K-4 Physical Education classes, students grow as confident, capable, and caring movers. They build teamwork, coordination, and fitness through a wide variety of games, challenges, and cooperative activities that make movement fun and engaging. Our youngest learners focus on communication, collaboration, and cooperation, learning what it means to work together toward a shared goal, through engaging and interactive games. As students get older, they focus more on developing body awareness, spatial understanding, rhythmic movement, and fundamental motor skills, while being introduced to team sports such as badminton, soccer, volleyball, and basketball.

Curriculum Details