At The Ridge School, the academic journey from Grade 0 to Grade 3 is designed to build strong foundations in literacy, numeracy and life skills through an engaging and developmentally appropriate programme. Each grade phase is carefully structured to balance cognitive, emotional, social and physical development.
Junior Prep Academic Overview
Junior Prep Academic Overview
At The Ridge School, the academic journey from Grade 0 to Grade 3 is designed to build strong foundations in literacy, numeracy and life skills through an engaging and developmentally appropriate programme. Each grade phase is carefully structured to balance cognitive, emotional, social and physical development.
A Gentle Introduction
Grade 0 serves as a bridge between preschool and formal schooling. Learning is play-based and focuses on pre-literacy and pre-numeracy skills, perceptual development and social-emotional learning.
Emphasis on phonological awareness (e.g., rhyming, phoneme recognition).
Introduction of Reading Eggs, a self-paced online reading programme.
Think Equal Programme teaches equity, wellbeing and global citizenship.
Specialist subjects introduced: Afrikaans, isiZulu, Music, PE, Drama, Media. Art is integrated by the class teacher. These subjects are taught throughout the Junior Prep.
Learning to Read
Grade 1 introduces more structure and marks the transition to formal reading and numeracy learning.
Uses Ruth Miskin Literacy (RML) programme to teach reading through an integrated, supportive approach.
Foundational Maths is taught in a hands-on, meaningful way.
Continued use of Reading Eggs and Think Equal to support literacy and social-emotional growth.
Building Independence
Grade 2 focuses on consolidating foundational skills and encouraging independent thinking and enquiry.
Continued use of RML, with boys grouped according to reading level.
Shift from learning to read to reading to learn.
Introduction of more abstract numeracy concepts, like Time.
Thematic Life Skills and deeper focus on Ridge Attributes (e.g., sportsmanship, teamwork).
Ongoing access to Reading Eggs.
Enriched arts programme includes specialist Art lessons in some terms.
Towards Greater Independence and Leadership
Grade 3 is a capstone year in the Junior Prep, focusing on deeper literacy, numeracy and character development.
Final year of RML, moving toward comprehension, creative writing and language structures.
Expansion of number sense and mathematical problem-solving.
Life Skills themes include identity, cultural celebrations and leadership.
Boys take on leadership roles, guiding tours and leading assemblies.
Social-emotional curriculum continues with Character Education, reinforcing values and mindset.
Continued specialist instruction and integration of Art, Music, Drama, PE and languages.
