Early School
Our Year-Round Early School offers families a stable, nurturing environment that blends consistent care with purposeful learning across every season. With Montessori and traditional classroom options, our compassionate, highly skilled educators support continuous developmental growth and build the strong early foundations children need for long-term success. Fewer extended breaks provide greater instructional continuity, and our summer programming deepens learning in engaging, age-appropriate ways. Designed to accommodate the realities of family life, the program includes flexible attendance,* year-round early care and aftercare, optional childcare during spring break and the fall transition period, and continuous enrollment to ensure stability and guaranteed placement. This thoughtful structure enables children to thrive academically and socially while preparing them to transition to Lower School with confidence.
Pre-kindergarten (ages 2-3) & Junior Kindergarten (age 4)
In our PK and JK programs, guided hands-on learning creates a calm start to the school day. Children explore letters and sounds through fun, multisensory activities. Early Spanish learning comes naturally through songs, counting, and stories. Weekly library visits help foster a genuine love of books. In the classroom, teachers meet each child’s needs, ease separation anxiety, and create a secure space to explore. Learning flows through play, group projects, and inviting centers for science, art, writing, and music. Small- and large-group time includes thoughtful questions that encourage conversation, social skills, and deeper thinking.
Montessori (ages 4-6)
Rivermont offers a choice for its early school families. The Montessori program strongly emphasizes peer learning. Younger children absorb knowledge through engaging, hands-on explorations by observing and interacting with older peers. Simultaneously, the older children reinforce their understanding of concepts and hone vital leadership skills by sharing their expertise with the younger children. This collaborative and interactive approach fosters a strong sense of support and enriches the overall learning experience within the community.
All Early School programs are full-day.
“From Preschool through graduation, my teachers nurtured and encouraged my interests, curiosity, and self-expression. The entire school community – parents, faculty, and students – come together to create a uniquely supportive environment in which to learn, create, and grow. I consider myself very fortunate to have spent my formative years among such caring, dedicated people.”
Matt Roberts, Class of 1989, Former Executive Producer of The Late Show with David Letterman, CBS Television
*Flexible attendance allows families to travel or miss time without penalty to a child’s standing in the program. Tuition remains unchanged for missed weeks because each child’s placement is reserved, and staffing levels must be maintained to meet required licensing ratios.