The Ridge School is all about introducing young boys to the exciting experience of learning and preparing them not just for further education but for life. Starting from Grade 0, our junior preparatory phase provides a strong foundation in these formative years. We believe that life is a journey, not a race, and we teach our boys to savour every moment along the way, gaining knowledge that will empower them in many different ways. Our dedicated teachers ensure that each Ridge boy grows up with a love for learning, and our curriculum is tailor-made to be boy-friendly and fun.
Literacy & Numeracy
The Ridge School Junior Preparatory in Westcliffe offers a leading English curriculum. We embrace the principles of READ WRITE INC/RML (Ruth Miskin Literacy), which underpins the teaching of sound-symbol relationships and develops phonemic awareness. All aspects of English are introduced through pace, passion, perseverance, purpose and praise for an engaging experience.
Your son will love our special friend Fred the fish, who equips boys with the skills needed for spelling and reading. Mathematics is taught through the problem-solving or investigative approach and has proved to be very successful in setting a strong foundation for mathematical concepts. Our teachers use CAMI for extension and revision and encourage pupils to engage with problem-solving using numbers and everyday life situations.
Grades 0 - 3
Grade 0 begins in the year that your son will turn six. We are blessed with wonderful Grade 0 teachers who are aided by student teachers and a teacher’s assistant. At this level, your son will gain perceptual skills, pre-reading, pre-maths and pre-writing skills. As an exciting follow-up to this, Grade 1 allows boys to formalise the skills they have been acquiring since pre-school and Grade 0. This means learning to read, write and build on their existing pre-number concepts.
Drawing on basic skills learned in the introductory years, Grade 2 is when your son will really seem to fly! This is a year of extension in which our boys are exposed to group projects as part of the cooperative learning approach. The Grade 3 year is a gentle transition to a longer day with more exposure to our Senior Prep staff members. Since the academic day ends at 13:25, boys can choose to have ‘hot lunch’ in the main school dining room. One of the best things about Grade 3 is that our boys can engage in cultural or sporting activities three afternoons a week.
Whole-Child Development
Junior prep will open your son’s mind to music and movement, Physical Education, isiZulu, ICT, library skills and Afrikaans, as well as educational outings. From the Imagination Station to the Curiosity Cave, our classrooms further enhance the skills of collaboration, critical thinking, communication, creativity and curiosity. Outside of the classroom, play activities are supervised by a teacher at all times. We also prioritise emotional skills, social awareness and build self-esteem through interactive activities and with the professional guidance of occupational therapists and our school psychologists.
For first-hand experience of The Ridge School Junior Preparatory phase, book a tour here.