Kindergarten

Pre-K 3 Pre-K 4 K-5

Kindergarten PRINCIPAL

Mrs. Marilyn Bilby
ext. 202
bilbym@rbcs.org

Kindergarten Secy:
Chong Riker
678-2885
rikerc@rbcs.org

The Kindergarten Department at each campus is divided into three basic groups: K5 (5 years old by 1 Sep), K4 (4 years old by 1 Sep), and K3 (3 years old by 31 Dec). Within each of these groups there is a further breakdown which offers a teaching level in accordance with the readiness of the children. This helps to provide individualized attention for every student. Half or full-day options are available. (Note: No noon bus service is provided by RBCS.) Some general information concerning each age group is as follows:

K3 (3-year-olds):
This class has a limit of 20 with a full time assistant. The morning program, five days per week, begins at 8:15 and concludes at 11:30. The first 90 minutes consist of Bible, Phonics, and Math instruction. The remaining morning time includes a snack period, Art, Music, Science, stories, Poetry, rest/play periods, plus Unit Studies (Community Helpers, Safety, Farm, etc.). Reading begins at this level in a one-on-one individualized program, as the capabilities of each student permit. Afternoons provide a play and rest period. It is necessary that children be potty trained before they are accepted for enrollment.

K4 (4-year-olds):
Class sizes are normally limited to 20. The morning and afternoon schedules are similar to those of the K3s. Home reading assignments (Mon-Thurs nights) usually begin by November or December. Many four-year-olds have been known to achieve the equivalent of a first grade level in Phonics, Reading, and Math by the end of the school year.

K5 (5-year-olds):
Class sizes are normally limited to 20. The K5 program is a full-day schedule. Morning instruction includes Bible, Phonics, Reading, and Math. Afternoons offer Music, Art, Science, History, and P.E.

Most five-year-olds can be expected to achieve the equivalent of 2nd - 3rd grade level in Phonics, Reading, and Math depending upon the number of years at RBCS, and individual capabilities. (These grade levels are based upon results obtained in the past on the 1970 California Achievement Test designed for first graders.)

RBCS will award Kindergarten graduation certificates and promote to first grade students who:
1. reach age six on or before 1 September of the first grade year, and
2. satisfactorily complete our standard Kindergarten curriculum.

Students achieving Stanford Achievement Test (SAT) percentile scores exceeding 90 and grade level scores exceeding 2.0 should find success in an advanced first grade program. Students who score below the 90th percentile and a grade level of 2.0 will normally do best in a regular first grade program. Kindergartners who meet the chronological but not academic criteria may be placed in the regular first grade program on a conditional basis. During the first quarter, if academic progress continues to be slow, a screening for learning disabilities may be recommended. Based upon the results of such testing, the parents and teacher must then make a careful decision as to how to best help the student achieve academic success.

What about the students who reach age six between 1 September and 31 December? Students in this category can only be promoted to first grade under extraordinary circumstances in which the parents and the school agree that an exception would be in the best interest of the child. This usually requires demonstrated maturity plus an achievement within the top 15% of his K5 class. Placement in first grade would then be on a conditional basis.

Especially at the lowest grade levels, it is important to place students into the curriculum flow and into an educational environment that best assures growth and success for the student. Placing a child in too low a grade level can produce boredom and deny academic challenge and competition that would facilitate academic, moral, and spiritual growth. Placing a child at a grade level higher than his achievement and maturity level warrant can make the academic process frustrating and lead to discouragement and failure. As teachers observe the performance of students in the Kindergarten, they can discern very accurately that level which optimizes the academic environment for each child. When making placement decisions, we must evaluate all relevant evidence and place the child at the level that will best meet his current academic need. We must avoid all temptation to base placement decisions upon criteria rooted in truth-obscuring pride.

God will hold parents and their educational advisors responsible for decisions affecting the child's growth to Christian maturity. Let us work together to insure our decisions optimally meet the genuine educational requirements of the children God has blessed us with.

To accurately identify the needs of each kindergartner and determine a proper class assignment, parents of kindergartners are asked to complete a KINDERGARTEN QUESTIONNAIRE and submit it with the application forms.

Proverbs 22:6 states the God-given responsibility of parents:
Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old, he will not depart from it.

RBCS looks forward to working with each parent to develop a caliber of godly character in each kindergartner which will bring honor and glory to Christ.