In addition to academics, students learn initiative, responsibility, and persistency.  They learn how to collaborate with others to achieve something that could not be done alone.  They learn skills that will prepare them for every phase of their lives.

Our Learning Environment

• Classes are limited to 16 students.
• Computers are in every classroom as well as the computer lab.
• Outstanding faculty dedicated to teaching each child to his or her full potential.
• Individual, personalized interim reports (four times a year).
• We provide many opportunities for hands on engagement:
  • Academic competitions include Science Olympiad and Power of the Pen.
  • Performance opportunities include band, orchestra, plays, and student talent shows.
  • We offer local field trips for all grades and extended field trips for middle grades.
  • Our Big Brothers/Big Sisters program connects students in the upper division with those in the lower division, building strong connections among age groups. 
  • Students have a community service requirement, and many exceed the expectations for the amount of service they provide.
  • Eighth graders design and participate in their own class trip and have a formal graduation ceremony.

Curriculum Highlights

• Ridgewood offers a full-day Kindergarten program.
• Foreign language instruction begins in the 4th grade; after-school foreign language club is available for first through eighth grades.
• All grades (K-8) participate in art, music and physical education classes twice a week.
• Advanced math classes available for grades 6, 7 and 8. 
• Advanced French available for grade 8.
• After-school computer enrichment programs available to all students

Ridgewood's Music/Theatre Program

Ridgewood School has a strong music/theatre program under the direction of Mr. Michael Weller. Students learn to truly appreciate music and performance. All students, beginning in kindergarten, study music theory.  Grades 4-8 study music history as well.  Students in grades 1-3 learn to play chimes and students in grades 4-8 participate in student band (4-5 is concert band, 6-8 is symphonic band).  All band members participate in three school performances per year, as well as play out in the community at various events.  Each year, the students in grades 4-8 take part in a musical, and also, the students in grades 4-6 are able to be part of the newly formed show choir.  Mr. Weller is anticipating taking the 2009-2010 symphonic band to contests as well!

Testing
 
Ridgewood School is not required to administer the Ohio Proficiency Test. Ridgewood does administer the Stanford Achievement Test to all students in grades 1-8 in the spring. 

Grading Scale
 
Report cards are sent home the Friday following the end of each quarter. Academic reporting is done in letter grades having the following value:

Grade Average:

99-100%.....A+
95-98%.......A
93-94%.......A-
91-92%.......B+
87-90%.......B
85-86%.......B-
83-84%.......C+
79-82%.......C
77-78%.......C-
75-76%.......D+
72-74%.......D
70-71%.......D-
Below 70%...F 

Conduct & Behavior:

X = Excellent
G = Good
S = Satisfactory
U = Unsatisfactory
+ = Improving

Honor Roll

• Headmaster’s Honor Roll: No grade below A- in all subjects
• A Honor Roll: No grade below B- in all subjects; A- average in major subjects only
• B Honor Roll: No grade below C- in all subjects; B average in major subjects only 

SAR Award
 
An eighth grade student will be selected by vote of the eighth grade teachers to receive the Sons of the American Revolution  Award (SAR), to be presented at graduation. This award recognizes positive citizenship qualities.
 
President's Education Award
 
Students in the eighth grade who have had an A- or better average for the past two years and received an 85 or above percentile score on the Stanford Achievement Test in math or reading are eligible for the President’s Education Award. These students will be recognized and receive this award at the graduation ceremony.