Laying a Strong Curricular Foundation
Elementary school at Rancho Solano provides students with a strong curricular foundation including humanities, language arts, foreign language, social studies, math, science, technology, music, visual arts, and healthy physical exercise.
The school’s exceptional program lays the foundation for successful academic careers and life skills. We instill a love of learning from an early age – rewarding critical thinking skills, curiosity, and creativity – while providing a firm foundation on which to maximize social, emotional, physical, psychological, and intellectual development.
Character Education is embedded in all aspects of our student’s day. Respect for self and others is emphasized and practiced. Students develop a sense of community and learn to be productive, caring citizens of the world. We model, celebrate, and champion the Rancho Five – Respectful, Responsible, Polite, Considerate, and Successful in all aspects of our community.
Students are instructed and guided on how to organize their work, manage their time, and showcase their learning. Activities develop research, writing, and presentation skills to demonstrate their knowledge, and in preparation for our Middle School curriculum. Students learn to work independently and in groups, enhancing their collaboration skills.
Our exceptional and well-rounded curriculum equips students with the necessary tools and knowledge to not only succeed but thrive in a global society. By providing a comprehensive and diverse range of subjects, our curriculum fosters holistic development, enabling students to explore their passions, expand their horizons, and cultivate essential skills for the modern world.
We believe that a strong foundation in education sets the stage for students to become lifelong learners, adaptable problem-solvers, and active contributors to the ever-evolving global landscape.
If you would like to learn more about becoming part of the Rancho Solano Preparatory School family, please request more information or see our overview of the admissions process.
First grade Curriculum
By first grade, most children can read and comprehend any book or story suitable to their age. We build on this to improve fluency and comprehension by having students continue to strengthen their phonics skills, and build on vocabulary and spelling rules.
We use the workshop method to encourage students to develop writing skills. The process—rather than the product—is emphasized. Students learn and practice vocabulary, and they are exposed to various writing styles. The mechanics of writing—spelling, grammar, handwriting, and organization—are taught as an integral part of all communication.
Students strengthen their understanding of various methods and problem-solving skills. Using manipulatives, we make concepts concrete and enhance students’ reasoning skills.
Topics include:
- Adding and subtracting
- Identifying place value
- Modeling
- Comparing numbers
- Charts and graphs
- Measurements
- Geometric shapes
In Science, students learn about scientific inquiry and using simple scientific tools. They study the life cycles and the environments of plants and animals, and earth science topics like the weather and seasons.
Students learn about communities, government, maps, and globes. They are also introduced to U.S. and American symbols and Holidays.
Students learn the basics of keyboarding and simple word processing and have the opportunity to create digital stories. Basic internet safety skills are also introduced and research techniques for collaborative projects and presentations.
Students learn robotics, coding, and circuits through the use of the Dash and Dot robotics program.
Students build a foundation of speaking, reading and writing. They increase their vocabulary and start to build short sentences. Lessons are theme-based, upbeat and interactive.
The focus is on building basic tonal and rhythm vocabularies through simple songs. Students sing, play instruments, discuss music, and participate in various performances throughout the school year.
Visual Arts stimulate creativity and encourage students to establish connections between art and other disciplines, such as history and world cultures. Students also investigate the relationship between colors, shapes and lines through hands-on, age-appropriate activities. Our instructors use a variety of materials and techniques to expose students to the many possibilities that exist within visual arts.
Physical education is an important part of the overall growth of Rancho students. In first grade, we work on gross motor skills through sports, games, and activities where students learn how to control and move their bodies. We also teach sportsmanship and communication.
Emphasis on character development begins as soon as students set foot on a Rancho Solano campus. Our students learn to be productive citizens of the world. We incorporate the Rancho Five – Polite, Responsible, Respectful, Considerate, Successful – into a curriculum that transitions outside the walls of the classroom.
Rancho teaches students to give of themselves to the community and world. We stress that each person can make a difference, and we participate in a variety of projects and activities.
Second grade Curriculum
The focus in second grade is phonics, word analysis, fluency, vocabulary development, comprehension, grammar and writing.
Students are taught different strategies to determine and use new words and phrases.
They begin to write short and simple essays with a title and simple introductory sentence, several examples to support the topic and a concluding sentence. Emphasis is placed on correct spelling, punctuation, and capitalization.
Students expand their understanding of various methods and problem-solving skills. Using manipulatives, we make concepts concrete and enhance students’ reasoning skills.
Topics include:
- Understanding of place value to 9,999
- Mastering addition and subtraction
- Measurement and data
- Geometry and fractions
- Multiplication and division strategies
In Science, students continue to learn about scientific inquiry and using scientific tools. They study plants and Earth’s make-up, learning about different types of rock, soil, and natural resources. They also learn about the solar system.
Students continue to learn about communities and government. They are introduced to leaders and historical figures, and American culture.
Students learn advanced keyboarding, word processing and digital drawing and presentation programs.
Basic internet safety skills are also reviewed and they are introduced to digital citizenship.
Students continue robotics, coding, and circuits through the use of the Dash and Dot robotics program.
Lessons are dynamic with hands-on activities and projects where students expand their knowledge of the Spanish language and cultures. Topics covered are the calendar, numbers 1-30, greetings, the alphabet and cultural traditions.
The focus is on building basic tonal and rhythm vocabularies through simple songs. Students sing, play instruments, discuss music, and participate in various performances throughout the school year.
Visual Arts stimulate creativity and encourage students to establish connections between art and other disciplines, such as history and world cultures. Students are introduced to famous artists, cultural art and various art techniques.
Physical education is an important part of the overall growth of Rancho students. In second grade, students continue to work on the gross motor skills they learnt in first grade through multiple sports, games, and activities. We introduce swimming in our aquatic’s unit and start to look at fitness and how to contribute to living a healthy and active lifestyle.
Emphasis on character development begins as soon as students set foot on a Rancho Solano campus. Our students learn to be productive citizens of the world. We incorporate the Rancho Five – Polite, Responsible, Respectful, Considerate, Successful – into a curriculum that transitions outside the walls of the classroom.
Rancho teaches students to give of themselves to the community and world. We stress that each person can make a difference, and we participate in a variety of projects and activities.
Third grade Curriculum
In third grade, students continue working on phonics, word analysis, fluency, vocabulary development, comprehension, grammar, and writing. Students are exposed to different genres of text by using a variety of books.
They explore different styles of writing such as expository, narrative, and persuasive.
Students become proficient in basic computational skills and procedures and become adept at problem-solving.
Topics include:
- Place value through 100,000
- Addition and subtraction with regrouping
- Measurement and data
- Geometry and fractions
- Multiplication and division strategies
In Science, students study and learn about the environment and living things, forces and motion, the weather and climate and life cycles and traits.
Activities are inquiry and project-based where students work independently or in groups.
Students learn about the foundation, history, and culture of Arizona and its local native populations. They continue studying cultures of the past to see how they have shaped our current society. Starting with the pilgrims and moving to the expansion of the colonies, the founding fathers, and the Revolutionary War.
Every year in the Spring, our third graders go back in time with a study of the Colonial Times, culminating in a fair.
In addition to the Colonial Fair, students also organize a State Fair towards the end of the school year.
Students work on projects using word processing software, digital drawing, and presentation programs. Internet safety skills and digital citizenship are also reviewed.
Robotics, coding, and circuits through the use of the Dash and Dot robotics program is part of the program with the introduction of more complex coding. Students work collaboratively to build, test and redesign Vex robots.
Lessons are dynamic with hands-on activities and projects where students expand their knowledge of the Spanish language and cultures. There is more focus on spelling and practicing vocabulary to enhance communication and writing.
Students are introduced to music exploration by participating in band, orchestra, and choir during the school year. They learn to play various instruments and develop vocal skills by singing a variety of songs.
Visual Arts stimulate creativity and encourage students to establish connections between art and other disciplines, such as history and world cultures. Students are introduced to famous artists, cultural art and various art techniques.
Physical education is an important part of the overall growth of Rancho students. In third grade, students learn that physical activities significantly contribute to their mental and physical well-being. They participate in multiple sports, games, and activities, continuing to progress their skills from second grade and learn new ones. They also learn the importance of teamwork, communication, and sportsmanship.
Emphasis on character development begins as soon as students set foot on a Rancho Solano campus. Our students learn to be productive citizens of the world. We incorporate the Rancho Five – Polite, Responsible, Respectful, Considerate, Successful – into a curriculum that transitions outside the walls of the classroom.
Rancho teaches students to give of themselves to the community and world. We stress that each person can make a difference, and we participate in a variety of projects and activities.
Beginning in third grade, students can be elected to represent their classroom in Student Government, giving them leadership opportunities.
FOURTH grade Curriculum
Students focus on literary genres that include fiction, non-fiction, myths, fantasy, and poetry.
They learn to write personal narratives, short stories and essays. Teachers guide students to learn about the writing process; brainstorming, outlining, drafting, editing and publishing.
Students expand and deepen their understanding of math.
Topics include:
- Place value to include decimals
- Long division and multiplication
- Operations with fractions
- Decimals
- Geometry
- Critical thinking with word problems
In Science, students study plant and animal structures, energy, the earth’s changing surface, and waves and information.
Students explore the evolution of the Americas and the roots of our nation. Many activities are project-based, teaching students to inquire, research, and present.
Topics include:
- The American Revolution and a Growing Nation
- Westward Expansion and Civil War in America
- Reconstruction, Industrialization, and Immigration
- The Fight for Rights
Students work on projects using advanced word processing software, digital drawing, and presentation programs. Internet safety skills and digital citizenship are also reviewed.
Robotics, coding, and circuits using the Dash and Dot robotics program is part of the curriculum with the introduction of more complex coding and engineering tasks.
Students learn more about the unique cultures of countries where Spanish is spoken. Vocabulary is expanded on and students will explore basic grammatical concepts. Lessons are dynamic with hands-on activities and projects.
Students begin to narrow their musical focus by selecting either band, orchestra, or choir. This focus allows them to start perfecting their instrument-playing or singing skills.
Visual Arts stimulate creativity and encourage students to establish connections between art and other disciplines, such as history and world cultures. Students are introduced to famous artists, cultural art and various art techniques.
Physical education is an important part of the overall growth of Rancho students. In fourth grade, students begin goal setting using fitness assessments to help them measure their level and progress.
They start to learn about the short- and long-term effects that exercise can have on the body and mind. They will participate in multiple sports, games, and activities where they also continue to learn the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship.
Emphasis on character development begins as soon as students set foot on a Rancho Solano campus. Our students learn to be productive citizens of the world. We incorporate the Rancho Five – Polite, Responsible, Respectful, Considerate, Successful – into a curriculum that transitions outside the walls of the classroom.
Rancho teaches students to give of themselves to the community and world. We stress that each person can make a difference, and we participate in a variety of projects and activities.
Beginning in fourth grade, students can be elected to represent their peers in Student Government, giving them leadership opportunities.
Fifth grade Curriculum
Students focus on literary elements such as point of view, plot sequence, conflict/resolution, etc. Poetry is also explored in more depth.
In writing students continue to improve on spelling, capitalization, punctuation, proofreading, and sentence structure.
Students deepen and expand their understanding of math concepts.
Topics include:
- Multi-digit division
- Factors and multiples
- Operations with decimals and fractions
- Ratios and percentages
- Rate and proportions
- Geometry and data analysis
In Science, students study living things and ecosystems, earth systems, changes in matter, the earth, moon, and stars.
Students will learn about early civilizations including their cultural, religious, economic and political system, and how it affects the world today.
Students work on projects using advanced word processing software, digital drawing, and presentation programs. Internet safety skills and digital citizenship are also reviewed.
Robotics, coding, and circuits through the use of Dash and Dot robots and VEX robots are part of the program with the introduction of more complex coding and engineering tasks.
Students develop their listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing skills and the acquisition of the fundamentals of applied grammar. They also continue to explore cultural aspects of Spanish speaking countries with hands-on activities and projects.
Students build upon their chosen music focus of either band, orchestra, or choir. They participate in a variety of performances throughout the school year.
Visual Arts stimulate creativity and encourage students to establish connections between art and other disciplines, such as history and world cultures. Students are introduced to famous artists, cultural art and various art techniques.
Physical education is an important part of the overall growth of Rancho students. In fifth grade, students continue to improve their skills and make progress through a variety of sports and games. They look deeper into how the body responds to exercise and why it is important to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.
Students can also begin participating in Mustang Athletics such as basketball, flag football, soccer and volleyball.
Emphasis on character development begins as soon as students set foot on a Rancho Solano campus. Our students learn to be productive citizens of the world. We incorporate the Rancho Five – Polite, Responsible, Respectful, Considerate, Successful – into a curriculum that transitions outside the walls of the classroom.
Rancho teaches students to give of themselves to the community and world. We stress that each person can make a difference, and we participate in a variety of projects and activities.
Beginning in third grade, students can be elected to represent their classroom in Student Government, giving them leadership opportunities.