Early Years Overview
In our Primary Years Program, we nurture each child’s natural curiosity in a supportive environment, developing strong academic foundations and social-emotional skills for future success. By knowing every student as an individual, we foster independence, reflection, initiative, and respect for others.
Our Approach
Small Classes and Caring Teachers and Staff Make All The Difference
We have made a very deliberate choice to keep our classes small so that each child will receive individual attention and be exceptionally well-known by their teachers. These nurturing relationships are critical to helping students gain confidence as they explore new topics, connect new information to previously known information, and tackle challenges big and small. Our teachers are the people who will inspire your student’s willingness to be courageous – whether it’s learning to multiply 7×8, to speak in another language, to strap on nordic skis, or raise a hand and share an opinion. It all takes courage.
By keeping our class size small, our teachers can plan more engaging and hands-on activities for students, more field trips, and take advantage of special teaching opportunities that arise.
Our Primary Years Program teachers, both primary classroom and specialists for art, music, language, and PE, all have IB training. Collaboration among our primary classroom and specialist teachers ensures that students can see the connections between concepts, other subjects, and the real world.
The International Baccalaureate Experience
We are the first school in Idaho authorized to develop our own International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme curriculum. We are committed to ensuring that we meet the true philosophy of the Primary Years Programme, which is to prepare “students to become active, caring, lifelong learners who demonstrate respect for themselves and others and have the capacity to participate in the world around them. It focuses on the development of the whole child as an inquirer, both within and beyond the classroom.” Each year, our teachers and administration reflect upon and refine our curriculum to ensure we are meeting the needs of students. Just as our world and our students are ever-evolving, our teaching practices evolve.
Five Pillars Create Pathways to Exploration
We believe that a well-rounded education leads to a well-rounded individual. The Five Pillars at Riverstone become the pathways that our students develop their academic and personal skills, as well as connect classroom learning to the greater world: Academic Excellence, Community and Service, Leadership by Example, International Understanding, and Outdoor Education.
The Five Pillars are an integrated part of the education our students experience and lie at the heart of who we are as an institution. Please read more by perusing the tabs for each pillar so that you can see how your child will grow and develop.
Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten start your child’s journey
Being part of Riverstone’s Elementary School means that Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten are different from most programs for 3 and 4-year-old students. Our programs provide an excellent transition to Kindergarten and beyond. We develop the cognitive, social, and emotional well-being of our students while taking advantage of being part of a larger community. The Primary Years Programme curriculum, developed by our teachers, Spanish language development, art and music classes taught by specialists, field trips, community assemblies, library time, buddies with older students, and ample space to run and play, contributing to an excellent foundation for learning for our youngest students.
