US Beginning School Private Preschool & Kindergarten | Rowland Hall https://rowlandhall.org/academics/beginning-school Archived on 2026-04-24 14:06 UTC Beginning School Private Preschool & Kindergarten | Rowland HallYour web browser does not support the tag.A Life-Changing Education Begins HereBeginning SchoolGRADES 3PREK–KINDERGARTENRowland Hall’s Beginning School is a special learning community where every child is known, respected, and empowered as they begin their educational journey.The Beginning School honors this important phase of childhood, a time marked by natural curiosity and rapid brain development, and supports that growth through active, engaged learning that builds the foundation for lifelong academic and personal development.Your child will thrive in our preschool and kindergarten classrooms and outdoor spaces, which encourage joyful discovery, purposeful play-based learning, and strong relationships that make school feel like a second home.Take an interactive virtual tour of our Beginning SchoolEmma WellmanHead of Beginning SchoolSchool:801-355-7485A Purposeful Early Childhood CurriculumRowland Hall's thoughtful, research-based Beginning School curriculum is intentionally designed to instill confidence and a love of learning in students. We maximize learning through a careful balance of play and thoughtful instruction in areas like science, math, and literacy, as well as independence, empathy, and positive collaboration. We also emphasize deep respect for early learners, wholeheartedly believing the purposeful play they engage in is meaningful and important. Ourintentional focuson confidence and emerging skills prepares children to thrive in elementary school, and contributes to lifelong growth and well-being.LEARN. THINK. DO.OUR ACADEMICS IN ACTIONExceptional FacultyRich relationships, fostered and nurtured by caring teachers, are the foundation of life-changing education, shaping how children think about learning and how they see themselves as learners. Rowland Hall invests in attracting and retaining the best early childhood educators, whoget to know each child and their family, believe in our philosophy and practice, and successfully deliver our exceptional curriculum. Two teachers are assigned to each classroom to ensure every child receives the individual attention they need and deserve. Teachers are also an important resource for parents and caregivers, offering their expertise to those navigating the early childhood years.Meet The Beginning School FacultySTEM and InquiryRowland Hall’s 3PreK to kindergarten classrooms cultivate the problem-solving mindset and natural curiosity essential for a lifetime of enjoyable learning. Our approach to STEM helps children learn to observe closely, think logically, and responsibly use technology to enhance learning. Opportunities to build early STEM skills are limitless, naturally woven into the school day, and inspired by students’ curiosity, such as hypothesizing, tracking, and analyzing a pumpkin’s decay; putting engineering skills to the test bybuilding a block model of the Utah State Capitol; ormeasuring the circumference of a treeFoundational LiteracyWe believe the journey to literacy should be one of joyful discovery. This process begins by helping children become confident communicators through vocabulary development and by teaching them to express ideas through speaking and listening. An intentional blend of songs, shared reading, and hands-on activities introduces letter-sound correspondence and builds strong phonemic awareness. These activities also build the fine-motor control and stamina needed for writing, with children moving from mark making to letter formation. As skills emerge, students communicate through drawing, dictating, and writing, using their own symbols and inventive spelling. By first grade, they’re confident readers and writers with the foundational skills and curiosity necessary for elementary-level reading and writing.Beyond their primary classrooms, Beginning School students benefit from weekly specialty classes. Taught by dedicated specialist teachers, these classes are purposeful extensions of our curriculum, designed to further build core skills and foster creativity.Librarytime reinforces early literacy skills and curiosity while nurturing a love of books and storytelling.Science(4PreK–K) harnesses students’ natural curiosity about the world around them.Musiclets students move, sing, play simple instruments, and explore beats and rhythm while developing an ear for pitch. AndPE, vital for motor development, helps children refine skills like running and balancing through movement and cooperative games.Outdoor LearningOutdoor education is a core priority, intentionally built into the Beginning School curriculum and the design of our learning spaces. That’s because opportunities to learn outdoors provide numerous benefits, including more memorable learning, improved emotional regulation, appreciation for nature, stronger collaboration skills, and visibly increased engagement. Whether it’sengineering a child-size buildingin their classroom’s dedicated outdoor space, taking a walk to Sunnyside Park toread to the trees, orcooking a campfire snack and telling storieswith friends in the nature yard, outdoor learning gives young learners more spaces to grow their curiosity.Personal and Social GrowthA core part of early childhood education is partnering with families to ensure children grow into well-adjusted, kind people equipped to handle the social world. Guided by our vision todevelop people the world needs, teachers intentionally support young students’ social and personal growth. Empathy, cooperation, and conflict resolution are introduced through a structured approach, helping students build friendships and manage big emotions. We also emphasize children’s roles as responsible, compassionate members of their communities while fostering a deep sense of self-worth, independence, and pride in their learning.4PreK Capitol ProjectLearn. Think. Do. is a simple way to think about the life-changing learning at Rowland Hall.Each year, 4PreK students begin an architecture unit with a visit to the Utah State Capitol, where they observe the building’s structure and design firsthand. Back in the classroom, those observations inspire students as they begin constructing their own block model of the prominent local building. Drawing blueprints from memory and photographs, they incorporate details such as columns and domes while considering how building fundamentals like shape and balance influence strength. As their understanding deepens, students reflect on what they notice and revise their plans, applying techniques such as staggering or using pillars to improve the design. Working collaboratively, they build and rebuild their model, adapting when structures do not hold and persisting until their ideas take form. Through this process, students learn how careful observation and planning turn inspiration from the real world into thoughtful, intentional work.See More Examples of Learn. Think. Do.The Beginning School Is Getting a New PlaygroundA new play area, created with the help of Rowland Hall kindergartners, is coming to the Beginning School this spring. It will include thoughtfully designed elements that encourage child-led, imaginative, collaborative, and open-ended play.Rowland Hall’s New Website Reflects Who We Are and Where We’re HeadedRowland Hall’s redesigned website offers a more engaging way to get to know the school, emphasizing visual storytelling, improved navigation, and the Learn. Think. Do. value proposition, which highlights how rigorous, authentic learning leads to real-world impact.Nearly Four Years In, Rowland Hall Demonstrates Ongoing Impact of Strategic PrioritiesSalt Lake City independent school Rowland Hall gives a four-year update on their bold vision for the future of education.Photo Gallery: Better Together: Beloved Community in Action, 2026A look at Salt Lake City independent school Rowland Hall's 2026 celebration of the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.Teaching Connection, One Family at a Time3PreK students build empathy and connection through family sharing, a time to learn about classmates’ traditions and stories in a joyful, inclusive setting.Photo Gallery: Back to School 2025–2026A collection of images from the first days of the 2025–2026 school year at Rowland Hall, a leading independent school that serves students in grades 3PreK–12.PrinciPALS Tackle Nutrition and MovementRowland Hall’sPrinciPALSpodcast explores nutrition and movement and offers practical strategies to build healthy routines and support children’s well-being.Faculty Awards 2025Each year at division commencement ceremonies, independent private school Rowland Hall proudly honors faculty members who have demonstrated exceptional teaching and mentoring. This story covers 2024–2025 honorees.When do children go to preschool?Should I send my child to preschool?Does Rowland Hall offer full-day or half-day preschool options?At what age do kids start kindergarten?How do you prep your child for kindergarten?Does my student need to be able to read prior to enrolling in the Beginning School?Are there any other requirements for my child to attend the Beginning School, such as being potty trained?What curricula do you use in the Beginning School?What is the daily schedule in the Beginning School?Does the Beginning School have uniforms?Does Rowland Hall offer before- or after-school care?Children typically begin attending preschool at three or four years old, though some schools offer programs for children as young as two. Rowland Hall requires students to have met the age requirement (3 years old for 3PreK and 4 years old for 4PreK) by September 1 of the school year.Sending your child to preschool is one of the best ways to prepare them for success, not only in future years of school but also for life. Studies show that students who attend preschool are more likely to demonstrate high-functioning skills—such as strong emotional and social intelligence, curiosity, and discipline—later in life, and also more likely to report high rates of fulfilling relationships and fulfilling careers.Learn more about the benefits of early childhood education in our March 2022Fine Printfeature story, “Beginnings Matter: Introducing Students to Joyful Learning at the Beginning School,” or downloadRowland Hall’s tips for choosing a top-tier early childhood education programRowland Hall’s Beginning School offers the following preschool and kindergarten schedule options:3PreK (three full days):Tuesday–Thursday, 8:15 am–3:15 pm3PreK (three half days*):Tuesday–Thursday, 8:15 am–12:30 pm3PreK/4PreK (five half days*):Monday–Friday, 8:15 am–12:30 pm3PreK/4PreK (five full days):Monday–Friday, 8:15 am–3:15 pmKindergarten (five full days):Monday–Friday, 8:15 am–3:15 pmOur three-day 3PreK classes are intentionally scheduled on three consecutive days (Tuesday–Thursday). This consistent schedule and rhythm help children build familiarity and comfort with the school experience, week by week.*Half-day students have the option to switch to full day after a conversation between families and the school.In the state of Utah, kindergartners must be five years old before September 2 of the upcoming school year to enroll in kindergarten. At Rowland Hall, we use a September 1 birthday as a cutoff for entry to our Beginning School classes.If you’re able to enroll your child in preschool, consider doing so, as a high-quality early childhood program helps prepare students to excel in kindergarten—academically, socially, and emotionally. And whether or not your child attends preschool, your family can also play a role in preparing them for kindergarten. There are many activities you can do at home to help ensure your child’s success, including reading together, doing art, counting, identifying shapes, cooking, and discussing emotions. Check out the Utah State Board of Education’s pamphlet “Ready! Set! Go! Supporting Your Child’s Learning in Kindergarten” for more ways to support your child and to learn what schools expect them to be able to do when they enter kindergarten.You may also want to check out Rowland Hall’s blog post onfive things to look for when choosing an independent private kindergarten programfor more information on picking the right school for your child.Students do not need to know how to read to enroll in Rowland Hall’s Beginning School. Through our multi-layered literacy approach to reading and writing, students build on their abilities and strengths. Multi-sensory phonics, reading, and writing are integrated through a variety of materials, experiences, and activities.Yes, students need to be potty trained before enrolling in any of our Beginning School programs.We have found that the students who are most successful in our kindergarten classes:know the names of almost all the letters in the alphabet;have a solid understanding of letter-sound correspondence and can decode many consonant-vowel-consenant words (e.g., CAT);can write their own name;use inventive spelling; andcount accurately, with one-to-one correspondence, to at least 10.We recognize that children enter kindergarten with a wide range of diverse educational experiences and backgrounds, and encourage you to contact ouradmission teamto discuss any specific requirements or unique aspects of your family’s situation. We’re happy to help!Rowland Hall uses Units of Study (literacy), Bridges in Mathematics, and science curricula aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Our robust curricula are consistent in grades K–5.While schedules vary by classroom and day, families can expect a structured daily routine that’s familiar to their child and that may include the following:A morning meeting to provide an overview of the dayDaily instruction, exploration, and play centered around our research-backed early childhood curriculum and specialties (this learning may also take place outdoors)Lunch with peers, followed by outdoor playTwo recesses (morning and afternoon)Rest time, where students can nap or quietly read or drawFree choice timeAfternoon circle time to reflect on the dayClassroom doors open at 8:15 am each morning. School ends at 12:30 pm for 3PreK and 4PreK half-day students and 3:15 pm for all other classes.Children in 3PreK and 4PreK do not wear uniforms. Families are asked to send these students in clothes that easily promote self-dressing skills, are appropriate for play and messy activities, are not distracting for themselves or their peers, and are not hazardous on the playground. A uniform is required once students begin kindergarten and are ready for increased expectations. Kindergartners may wear non-uniform clothes, within the dress code, on Fridays, the first and last days of school, and picture day.Yes. Rowland Hall’sExtended Dayprogram is a flexible solution for families’ before- and after-school childcare needs. Beginning schoolers can register for both AM Extended Day (7:30–8:15 am ) and PM Extended Day (3:15–5:30 pm).Your web browser does not support the tag. Same domain → Similar titles →