Sage Ridge School Grades 3-5 | Independent School in Reno

Grades 1-5: Where Excellence Begins

At Sage Ridge, the Lower School is more than a starting point—it’s a launchpad for a lifetime of learning, discovery, and growth.

Our students in grades 1-5 build foundational skills and develop the character and confidence that will carry them through Middle School and beyond. Thoughtfully designed curriculum honors the individuality of every child. Learning is both challenging and joyful, and students are encouraged to stretch their thinking and discover their strengths. With personal attention and hands-on experiences, we ensure each student gains the confidence and skills needed to take on new opportunities.

Rooted in our five pillars—Scholarship, Respect, Integrity, Courage, and Community—Lower School empowers students to think critically, lead with empathy, and engage authentically in every experience.

Enrollment Steps Grades 1 & 2 Enrollment Steps Grades 3, 4 & 5 CURRICULUM GRADES 1 & 2

The Sage Ridge Difference

At Sage Ridge, every child is known, challenged, and celebrated. Our Lower School teachers serve as mentors and guides, nurturing both academic progress and social-emotional development.

Sage Ridge is a safe, secure, and inclusive campus where students feel physically and emotionally safe, providing an ideal environment for children to take risks, build confidence, and thrive.

Student-to-Teacher Ratio 12:1

Grades 1-5

Personalized Paths

Flexible Based On Readiness

Mentorship and Leadership

With Scorpions Of All Ages

Future-Focused Scorpions

Looking Forward

School Counselor

Family & Faculty Collaboration

Student Life

Build Community Across Grade Levels

Perform On Stage

Grades 1-5

Be An Athlete

Camaraderie & Scorpion Spirit

After School Support

Monday-Friday until 6 p.m.

Lower School students in after school fencing program

Whole-Child Learning: Building Thinkers, Leaders & Lifelong Learners

Sage Ridge Lower School offers a carefully balanced curriculum designed to challenge and support every student. Our classrooms are vibrant, active, hands-on, and responsive to the curiosity and energy of young learners.

While many schools offer the arts only as electives, Sage Ridge integrates them into the core daily curriculum, with additional opportunities for deeper exploration through elective courses.

Core Curriculum Highlights

Reading

Writing

Math

Science

Lower School scientists investigate the natural world through hands-on inquiry experimentation and real-world problem-solving. With units focused on weather and climate, animal adaptations, Earth’s systems, ecosystems and the relationship between the Earth, Moon and Sun, Scorpions gain a deep understanding of scientific principles. They engage in critical thinking, data collection, and engineering challenges to make learning meaningful and memorable.

History

Spanish

Physical Education

Specialist Classes That Inspire in Music, Studio Art, Theatre, and Computer Science

Every Lower School student rotates through robust enrichment courses taught by expert faculty.

Visual Arts
Students explore the Elements of Art and Principles of Design through hands-on experiences with diverse media, techniques, and historical perspectives. From sculpture and ceramics to color theory and Impressionism, our artists develop technical skill, self-expression, and cultural literacy. Our youngest Scorpions have opportunities to participate in public art installations, showcasing their creative skills and their unique perspectives.

Music
Scorpions learn rhythm, melody, musical notation, and performance through joyful, interactive instruction. Group singing, instrument play, and quarterly Coffeehouse performances build musicianship and stage confidence.

Theatre
Lower School Theatre classes introduce students to essential skills in performing arts with collaborative storytelling and ensemble work; foundational theatre elements and play; vocal techniques, monologues, and a showcase. Scorpions can participate in the annual Lower School play, directed by an Upper School thespian.

Computer Science
Scorpions gain foundational computer science skills through age-appropriate coding platforms, design projects, and unplugged activities. They dive into algorithmic thinking, creative problem-solving, 3-D modeling, and visual programming.

Strong Executive Functioning Emphasis

Course Guide

Grades 1-5

Outdoor Education & Sage Session

Courage And Curiosity In Action

Each fall, all Sage Ridge students participate in Outdoor Education Week. Sage Ridge Lower School students take the classroom outside where they explore nature, build independence, and bond as a class community on experiential trips that teach local science and ecology, team building, and personal growth in a safe, supportive environment.

Grades 1-4 enjoy day trips in the Reno-Tahoe region
Grade 5 ventures into Northern California for a three-night overnight experience in beautiful wilderness.

Outdoor Education Week fosters friendship, resilience, and a lasting love for the outdoors. For many alumni, it remains one of the most powerful and defining memories of their Sage Ridge journey.

Each year, Sage Session classes enrich the academic experience during a dedicated two-week period, enhancing the core curriculum. Recent Lower School offerings include rockets, rock climbing, the physics of flight, geology, making the short film, design thinking, giants of the sea, and engineering and design with robots.

Signature Programs

Begin Your Journey at Sage Ridge

The best time to start? Now.

Lower School is more than a chapter. It’s the foundation. Students who begin at Sage Ridge in Grades 1–5 grow up immersed in our five pillars, developing the habits, character, curiosity, confidence, and community that define their Sage Ridge journey.

Starting in Lower School allows children to:

Establish a solid base in core academic skills that prepares students for advanced learning
Teach students to reflect on their thinking processes to improve understanding and problem-solving
Develop critical thinking skills to evaluate and interpret information accurately
Foster effective communication skills for clear and confident expression of ideas
Access early enrichment in public speaking, arts, athletics, and leadership
Learn executive functioning skills to prepare them for the Sage Ridge Middle School experience
Cultivate courage and independence through Outdoor Education and Sage Sessions
Grow alongside a tight-knit peer cohort
Develop comfort with our expectations and culture
Build relationships with mentors across all divisions

When students begin their Sage Ridge experience in Lower School, they meet the challenges of Middle School prepared, inspired, and empowered.