ELEMENTARY PROGRAM

The elementary years are vital in laying and building a strong foundation for our students. The elementary curriculum is structured to present the wonders of God in creation, in His Word, and in the lives of our young students and community. The programs of the elementary campus are designed to move our students from dependent learning to a more independent learning. It reinforces the fundamental skills such as reading, writing and numeracy. The curriculum also guides students in decision making.

The culture and climate of the campus supports excellence and achievement enhancing the development of personal attributes and behaviours that will lead to success in school and positive growth towards adult life.
 
Academics:
RCS values academic excellence, providing a solid foundation for students to build upon. We emphasize a reading, writing and mathematics program that reflects current educational research. Our students do very well on the Foundation Skills Assessment tests and we are
consistently rated in the top 2% of all elementary schools in BC.

RCS has caring, Christian teachers who are highly qualified. Our library is a bright, friendly place with over 14,000 books. Students have access to a computer lab with 30 computers. Our Learning Centre provides resources for teachers and is a place where individual needs are met, whether that be for gifted students or those with special needs. Students in grades 1-5 take part in Accelerated Reading, an incentive reading program. RCS also participates in CanSpell, a provincial spelling competition. Recently an RCS student placed first in BC in the competition.

French:
 French begins at grade one at RCS.  We are in our fourth year of using The Accelerative Integrated Methodology (AIM).  AIM is being used in 4,000 schools across Canada, and is rapidly being implemented in schools worldwide.  Aim has proven to be a very comprehensive and effective approach to language learning.  Students are actively involved and engaged during class, and have retained a vast amount of material since RCS first began this program in 2008.   With its extensive and creative use of story and drama, students are capable of being creative in their oral and written output.  All classes (grades 1 through 5) are conducted in French only, resulting in a “mini-immersion” atmosphere.  Within a short amount of time, students are developing an oral fluency that has impressed both parents and teachers.

Music:
We love music at RCS! It is not uncommon to walk down the halls and hear classes singing. Our formal music classes are twice a week under the direction of Mrs. Koepke. Students learn fundamental music skills in a fun and interactive atmosphere. A variety of instruments are introduced at different grade levels including recorder, ukelele, drums and hand bells. Our Grade 4 students participate in a Christian Schools Choral Festival each year. The students participate in 2 large all-school musicals each year; in the spring and at Christmas time.

Art:
Art is woven into many areas of curriculum within the classrooms. It is an excellent teaching tool where children are encouraged to use a variety of art forms for their projects in many subjects. A walk down one of the hallways gives you an idea of the many forms of art used by the teachers. Formal art classes involve mediums such as painting, sculpting, print making and drawing. Our Grade 5 students work hard to present an Art Fair, where parents and friends are invited to see their displayed work.

Physical Education:
Physical Education is an important component of the whole person. Primary classes have 3, 30-minute P.E. classes each week and intermediate grades have 2, 45-minute classes, acquiring a wide ranging of skills in a variety of sports and activities under the direction of Mr. Przybylski. Students also participate in lunch time intramural sports once a week. Students in grades 3-5 can participate in Track and Field competitions in the spring. Grades 1-3 students enjoy ice skating several times in the winter, and in June the school participates in Sports Day, a fun day of races and games that fosters teamwork.

Spiritual Emphasis:
Friday mornings are chapel times at RCS. It is a time for our entire student body to gather for singing and sharing. Classes take turns hosting chapel; performing skits, songs, poetry and Scripture memory. Sometimes special speakers are brought it. It is definitely a highlight of the week.

There is a spiritual element to every aspect of life at Richmond Christian School. Every subject, from math to poetry, is taught from a Christian perspective, and students are given an opportunity to express their faith whenever possible. RCS is filled with Christian teachers who strive to show a godly example through their lives and their teaching. Teachers spend time praying with children and are genuinely interested in the lives of all their students. Formal Bible classes are taught in every grade and Scripture memory is a regular part of the curriculum.


 
After School Care Program - There is an independently owned and operated licensed after school care program at our elementary camps, RCS After School Care Inc. This is for Kindergarten - Grade 7 students, from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm on school days. For more information or registration, please click here.