We’d like to thank Ridgefield Academy for sponsoring this story and supporting the Ridgefield community!
Kindergarten is the foundation of every child’s education, making it one of the most important decisions a parent will make regarding their academic success. Luckily, families in and around Ridgefield have many wonderful options when it comes to their children’s education. Take a look at the ten important factors to consider when choosing a kindergarten program:
1. What is the classroom size?
One of the most important questions that you can ask the schools being considered for your child’s kindergarten enrollment is about their student to teacher ratio. Smaller classroom sizes allow for more one-on-one time with each student and a more personalized learning environment for each student’s aptitudes and abilities.
Ridgefield Academy provides individualized attention for students with small class sizes and a 9:1 faculty student ratio. With the vast majority of classes containing 12-15 students, and multiple teachers providing personalized instruction for their students in the elementary years, Ridgefield Academy provides a truly differentiated learning environment.
2. Is there a sense of community?
Now that it’s time for kindergarten, your child will begin spending a significant amount of time outside of your home and in the trusted hands of teachers and academic professionals. It is important that both you and your child feel that their learning environment fosters a sense of community within the school, which will in turn create a safe space to learn, explore, and grow.
Kindergarteners at Ridgefield Academy are warmly welcomed with a school tradition on their first day of school. They each ring the “Patriot Bell”, marking the beginning of their academic journey and welcoming them into a connected school community. They also take part in the Kindergarten/Grade 8 Buddy Program that pairs students for the year, providing new students with a student role model within the school, adding to the strong sense of community and service learning.