Early Years
Our Parents Know Us Best.
My son has been at Riverstone for seven years…and I can unequivocally say that he is thriving in this vibrant school community.
Nothing short of amazing! Riverstone is everything and so much more than I’d hoped for. Everyone is kind, there’s an amazing focus on social emotional learning, which gives kids the capacity to learn academics too. The community of students, staff, and parents is strong.
The best school in Boise. Outstanding teachers from Preschool to high school. Our kids have both excelled there.
THE RIVERSTONE DIFFERENCE
Your Child Will Discover a Love for Learning.
Small class sizes and lots of support, we give your child the support they need to flourish.
At Riverstone International School, our Early Years program ignites a lifelong love of learning by nurturing curiosity, creativity, and confidence in our youngest students. Through the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, children engage in inquiry-based learning that develops their cognitive, social, and emotional well-being. Specialist-led classes in Spanish, physical education, library, art, and music, along with enriching field trips and community assemblies, provide a well-rounded educational experience.
Our small class sizes ensure personalized attention, allowing each child to flourish in a supportive environment. Outdoor learning is integral to our curriculum, with activities like the Learn-to-Ride bicycling program, rock climbing excursions, and river rafting trips fostering self-confidence, responsibility, and teamwork.
Guided by our Five Pillars—Academic Excellence, International Understanding, Outdoor Education, Community and Service, and Leadership by Example—we lay a strong foundation for students to become active, caring, lifelong learners.
EARLY RIDERS PROGRAM
The faster children are up on two wheels the faster they can stand on their own two feet.
Learning, life, and academics all rolling together. Learning to ride a bike builds confidence to take on challenges, showing children firsthand how it feels to succeed.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Building a Foundation for Success in Education and Life.
The tools to unlock your child’s potential.
At Riverstone International School, the Early Years program emphasizes academic excellence by fostering each child’s natural curiosity within a nurturing environment. Small class sizes ensure personalized attention, allowing teachers to know each student well and tailor instruction to individual strengths and needs. The program utilizes the International Baccalaureate Primary
Years Programme (PYP), promoting inquiry-based learning that develops critical thinking and a lifelong love of learning. Specialist-led classes in art, music, physical education, library, and language further enrich the curriculum, providing a holistic educational experience. This comprehensive approach lays a strong foundation for future academic success and personal
OTTER STORIES
PRIMARY YEARS DIRECTOR SPOTLIGHT: KARI BOAZMAN
Teaching Across the Globe and Bringing the Best Back Home.
After twelve years at Riverstone, Kari left to go lead a similar school in Harare, Zimbabwe in 2012, then spent the next 10 years in a leadership position with five other international schools around the world. Now, she is back at Riverstone, and she has
brought a broad range of cultural experiences and expertise back with her to share.
Being able to see what happens in different schools provided me with a deeper appreciation for what Riverstone does well - creating a strong community, connecting with people, and using best practices from around the world.
I NTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING
With 40 Nations Represented on Campus, our Children Embrace the World.
Throughout our curriculum, we explore traditions and cultures from around the globe. Our goal is to broaden your child’s perspective, enriching their understanding of the world and their role in a wider community. International teachers and students on campus enable our children to learn in ways that are not possible at other schools. These experiences foster empathy, compassion, and respect for others, which are critical skills that enable children to engage and contribute to a global society.
DIWALI
OUTDOOR EDUCATION
Expanding Comfort Zones and Fostering a Love for Nature.
Outdoor adventures empower students to become more confident.
Riverstone International School’s Early Years outdoor education program is thoughtfully designed to spark curiosity, build confidence, and foster a love of the natural world. With a wide range of enriching experiences, students are immersed in hands-on learning beyond the classroom. These adventures encourage exploration, resilience, and a sense of wonder, forming meaningful connections to their environment while supporting social, emotional, and physical development.
A look at some outdoor education experiences for the Early Years
students:
• Rafting
• Rock climbing
• Hiking
• Learn-to-Ride Program
• Forest School
• Nature Walks
• Idaho Shakespeare Festival
• Foothills Learning Center
• Idaho Reptile Zoo
• Idaho Botanical Gardens
• Riverstone Ski Day
OTTER STORIES
Connecting Nature with Classroom Lessons and Watching Confidence Soar.
Oli is an athletic and coordinated child who was confident on the balance bike so he thought that moving to agility work and then to pedals on the balance bikes would come naturally but Oli found it a bit trickier than he thought. At first Oli was hesitant and at one point he wanted to ‘give up’ but he took a
moment and watched his friends as they were learning how to ride with pedals and listened to them as they encouraged him to give it another try. Oli tried again, and again, and with grit, determination and perseverance (along with his friends cheering him on) Oli found success with riding a bike with pedals. Experiences like this offer wonderful transferable skills into the classroom such as Oli learning to count beyond ten and putting together letter sounds.
COMMUNITY AND SERVICE
Learning, and Thriving, as a Community.
Teaching our students how to be responsible citizens.
At Riverstone International School, our Early Years program emphasizes the importance of community and service, nurturing students to become responsible and engaged citizens. Through collaborative activities within the classroom and participation in local initiatives throughout the Treasure Valley, children learn the value of teamwork and the significance of each individual’s contributions. The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme
(PYP) provides a structured framework with transdisciplinary themes—starting with ‘Who We Are’ and extending to ‘Sharing the Planet’—that guide students in exploring their identities and roles within various communities. This approach not only fosters a sense of belonging but also equips students with the skills to be proactive, compassionate members of any community they join in the future.
LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE
Cultivating Tomorrow’s Leaders Today
At Riverstone International School, we believe that leadership begins in the earliest stages of education. Our Early Years program is designed to nurture young students into confident, responsible individuals who lead by example. From the very first day, children are encouraged to take on leadership roles, whether it’s sharing their insights on a topic, caring for their personal belongings, or contributing to the upkeep of their learning environment. By entrusting them with responsibilities, we empower our students to face challenges head-on and support their peers in achieving success.
The skills fostered in our Early Years program lay the groundwork for future leadership:
• Collaboration and Teamwork: Engaging with peers to achieve common goals.
• Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Approaching challenges with analytical and innovative solutions.
• Open-Mindedness and Adaptability: Embracing new experiences and perspectives.
• Effective Communication: Articulating ideas clearly and confidently.
• Time and Resource Management: Organizing tasks and materials efficiently.
The Buddy Program. Creating leaders and developing a stronger school community.
Every student from Preschool through Grade 12 is a part of the Buddy Program, either with the Elementary School Buddy Program or through Bridge Buddies. In the Elementary School Buddy Program each child is matched with an older student within the Elementary School for weekly interactions where they read to each other, do science experiments, participate in outdoor educational activities such as nature walks to the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, and so much more. Bridge Buddies are made up of Middle and High School advisory groups that are paired with students throughout the Elementary School, beginning in Early Years where they interact throughout the year such as playing games, creating theatrical performances, assemblies, and so much more.
The Buddy Program fosters social interaction, enhances academic achievement, builds confidence, promotes a sense of belonging, and aids in students developing important life skills such as empathy, communication, and cooperation. BUDDY PROGRAM
PHILOSOPHY
Our International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme is a proven framework for accelerating your child’s academic growth.
This tailored IB curriculum is taught through a mix of play-based experiential learning and adult-led learning. As our students move forward, greater emphasis is placed on learning skills that support and prepare children for what is next to come. In addition to academic subjects such as literacy and mathematics, the combination of personal, social and emotional development are incorporated into everyday activities.
IB Primary Years Programme
Curriculum Model
Units of Inquiry
Who We are
Where We Are in Place and Time
How We Express Ourselves
How the World Works
How We Organize Ourselves
Sharing the Planet
Core Subjects
Mathematics
Literacy
Science
Social Studies
Additional Opportunities
Assemblies
Field Trips
Buddy Program
Before & After School Care
After School Activities
Specialist Subjects
Art Music
PE Spanish Library
Outdoor Education
Preschool: Rafting, Nature Walks, Forest School
Pre-K: Rafting, Nature Walks, Forest School, Rock Climbing
Kindergarten: Rafting, Rock Climbing, Overnight Camping
