Private Pre-K, Kindergarten & 1st Grade in Fort Collins
In Younger Kids, daily one-on-one teaching ensures that each child is appropriately challenged. Each day includes time for reading, writing, and math, but our private preschool in Fort Collins goes far beyond these important academic foundations. Younger Kids also take part in art, music, PE, Spanish, and technology classes, and science and social studies units are woven in throughout the school year.
Rivendell Younger Kids classes consist of a Pre-K classroom and other classrooms combining kindergarten and 1st-grade students. Students who will turn 5 between the first day of the school year and December 31st can enroll as pre-kindergarteners in a Younger Kids class. This model allows students to be learners, as well as leaders.
The learning in Younger Kids also extends beyond the classroom. As a private preschool in Fort Collins, we believe that kids need to play, so we build several blocks of playtime into our daily schedule. During these times, we help kids develop a strong sense of responsibility, independence, self-esteem, and empathy. The social and emotional skills learned in these interactions are among the most important lessons students learn at this age.
Our overall goal in Younger Kids is to build a community of confident, happy, independent, and responsible learners.
My daughter struggled with learning to read and she did not like school. We moved her to Rivendell and within weeks of enrolling, her self-confidence improved, she was excited about school. Rivendell gave my daughter the support and individualized learning plan she needed to be successful and most importantly, she loves school and learning again! ~ Erica, Rivendell Parent
Frequently Asked Questions
Rivendell meets each child where they are academically, basing instruction on a student's skills rather than grade-level expectations. The approach rests on six practices that work together: individualized instruction, small class sizes, a whole-child approach, multi-age classrooms, school-wide topic units, and creative learning. Together they support each student's physical, social, emotional, creative, artistic, and academic well-being.
Small class sizes give students an opportunity receive individualized support from the teacher. In order to truly support our core philosophy of individualized education, small class sizes are essential. Multi-age classrooms are never more than 20 students.
A multi-age classroom brings together students from more than one grade level in a single class. This structure fits naturally with skills-based learning, because students are grouped by what they're ready to learn rather than by age alone. At Rivendell, pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and first graders are grouped into the “Younger Kids” classroom. “Middle Kids” are mostly comprised of second and third graders, and primarily fourth and fifth graders are the “Older Kids.” There are currently two classrooms for each level, along with two academic preschool classrooms.
School-wide topic units are themes the whole school studies at the same time, with each classroom exploring the topic at its own level. Science and social studies are taught in school-wide units each year. Students study several topics in each area, and the topics repeat on a four-year cycle. In order to engage students in higher levels of thinking, Rivendell students explore universal concepts that connect these different topics through the process of questioning. Topics are woven into other content areas such as reading, writing and mathematics in an interdisciplinary format. Concept-based learning allows students to make connections in their learning, increasing opportunities for deeper thinking and creativity.
Rivendell works to promote growth physically, emotionally, and intellectually. We understand that there is more to the learning process than memorizing facts and mastering skills. Learning can be an emotional experience for a child. Students need to have opportunities to explore interests, pursue passions, and have the social and emotional support that will help them develop into life-long learners. We believe that when students are encouraged to solve problems creatively, work collaboratively and apply higher order thinking skills to real world problems, they are better prepared to successfully meet future challenges. At Rivendell, students learn through music, art, physical education, Spanish, science and engineering, technology and generous unstructured outdoor play time.
