Academics

Curriculum Overview

Core Academic Program

List of 5 items.

Reading

The reading curriculum builds essential literacy skills from the earliest years. In early childhood and lower school, students develop phonemic awareness, decoding, fluency, and comprehension strategies that set the stage for lifelong learning. As they advance, they engage with more complex texts across a range of genres, learning to analyze, interpret, and appreciate literature.
Writing

At Pen Ryn, writing is taught as a distinct and vital subject, not just as a response to reading. Beginning in early childhood, students learn to express their ideas in words, build stamina for writing, and break down barriers that might keep them from putting thoughts on paper. Throughout the grades, instruction focuses on the three major types of writing — narrative, informative, and persuasive — giving students the tools to communicate clearly and confidently in many contexts.
Mathematics

The math program progresses from building number sense and operations in the lower grades to more advanced problem-solving and abstract reasoning in middle school. Students have opportunities for accelerated math pathways, often completing algebra and geometry before high school.
Science

Inquiry-based learning is central to science at Pen Ryn. Through hands-on labs and experiments, students explore scientific concepts and develop the skills to ask thoughtful questions, test ideas, and draw meaningful conclusions about the world around them.
Social Studies

The social studies curriculum integrates history, geography, civics, and cultural studies, helping students gain a broader perspective on communities past and present. They learn to think critically about the world and their place within it.

Specialist Classes

Beyond the core subjects, all students participate in a wide range of specialist classes that enrich their education and encourage new interests, while also building confidence, creativity, and the ability to share ideas effectively:

List of 5 items.

Art

Encouraging imagination and artistic expression through varied projects and media.
Music

Building appreciation for rhythm, melody, and performance from the early grades.
Innovation Lab

Providing opportunities to explore technology, design thinking, and collaborative problem-solving.
Spanish

Developing language skills that grow with students year by year.
Physical Education

Emphasizing teamwork, fitness, and healthy lifestyle habits.

Throughout these classes, students regularly present, collaborate, and share their work, developing poise and communication skills that serve them in all areas of life.