RIO GRANDE, An independent school serving students pre-K through sixth grade in Santa Fe, NM

Early Childhood "Grandes"

Rio Grande School's Early Childhood "Grandes" Program enrolls children between the ages of four and five, preparing them for kindergarten in a warm, nurturing, play- and literacy-oriented environment. The Grandes Program places a strong emphasis on literacy development through open-ended centers of learning that integrate the arts, music, dramatic play, science, math, literacy, and motor skills.

The curriculum is research-based and carefully planned. The daily schedule promotes cognitive, language, social, emotional, and motor development in a playful environment. The time is balanced between teacher-initiated center activities and child-initiated activities. Each day offers outdoor play using equipment that encourages appropriate motor skills. The day provides periods of quiet time as well.

One of our primary goals is to partner with parents during these early years of learning. School-wide parent/teacher conferences are held twice during the year. In addition, teachers and parents are encouraged to arrange discussions or conferences about students with each other as needed.

The Early Childhood "Grandes" Program:

• is a full day program with an aftercare option until 5:30 p.m.;
• incorporates a balance of pre-academic skills, such as paper and pencil tasks, while teaching children through hands-on means;
• relies on the direction from teachers as children move to the next level of cognitive exploration and understanding;
• creates structure within the curriculum so children become more independent as the year progresses;
• coordinates with the kindergarten curriculum and sets benchmarks in order to prepare children for kindergarten and beyond.

>>  See "Kindergarten" curriculum >>