Walk around RHSM’s Lower School and you’ll see children happily absorbed in learning and growing. They are busy and inspired, expanding their boundaries to include all that our world and its wonders offer. Through musical celebration, creative writing, critical thinking, and experimentation, Lower School students are actively integrating learning into their hearts and minds. RHSM teaches the basics and encourages students to reach for the stars.

Limiting classes to twenty or fewer students allows for engaging discussions, numerous opportunities for collaboration on special projects and presentations, and individualized assistance with lessons. Our curriculum stresses reading and writing fundamentals in a literature-rich environment and a well-balanced math program that focuses on both calculation skills and conceptual thinking. Children enjoy hands-on experimentation and investigation in the science lab, and learning social studies from multi-cultural perspectives and understandings.

A Lower School child’s day is enriched with specialty classes that include active learning in the computer lab, library, and chapel, and in science, art, music, chess, and physical education. Children also begin to learn and appreciate the study of languages, as Spanish, French, and the vocabulary of American Sign Language are incorporated into the curriculum from preschool through fifth grade. The Lower School guest artist program brings professional actors, musicians, and artists to the school for weeklong workshops in each grade level. Life’s lessons are learned through participation in a variety of service learning projects. In the classroom and on the playground the emphasis is placed on kindness to others and appreciating the diversity in our community.

The Lower School faculty is personally invested in the accomplishments of children, gently guiding their progress, one child at a time. Parents are encouraged to become involved in classroom life, sharing time and talents or just dropping by for lunch. The entire Lower School, including our support staff, school nurse, and academic and emotional counselors, is a community devoted to the success of its first through fifth grade students as they encounter challenges and enjoy well-earned victories.