Curriculum
Elementary
Kindergarten
English/Language Arts
Reading Comprehension: The core resource for comprehension instruction is the Making Meaning program.
The Making Meaning units of study in kindergarten include:
- The Reading life
- Making Connections
- Retelling
- Visualizing
- Wondering: Fictional and Narrative Non-fiction
- Making Connections: Expository Nonfiction
- Wondering: Expository Non-fiction
- Exploring Text Features: Expository Nonfiction
- Revisiting the Reading life
Vocabulary: The Making Meaning Vocabulary supplement teaches high-utility words found in the Making Meaning read-aloud texts along with strategies students can use to unlock word meanings when they are reading independently.
Writing: Written language instruction is based on Being a Writer.
Units of study in kindergarten include:
- The Writing Community
- Getting Ideas
- Telling More
- Just the Facts
- Exploring Words Through Poetry
- Revisiting the Writing Community
Guided Reading and Small Group Instruction: The purpose of guided reading is for students to have time to read and apply strategies and skills that were demonstrated by the teacher during read aloud and shared reading instruction.
Foundational Skills: Wilson Fundations includes an integrated handwriting component that allows teachers to use a multi-sensory approach to teach how a letter looks, sounds and is formed.
Math
Math in Focus is a K-8 comprehensive mathematics program published by Marshall Cavendish. The instructional approaches emphasize real-world, hands on experiences through a concrete-pictorial-abstract learning progression. For more information about Math in Focus, visit the Math in Focus website.
Science
Kindergarten students will use the Exploring the World Set which focuses on 3 units of study:
- Exploring Forces and Motion
- Exploring Plants and Animals
- Exploring My Weather.
Descriptions of the modules can be found on the Carolina Curriculum website.
Social Studies
Students take a close look at the importance of building a community and the importance of establishing rules in their community.
Major Units of Study:
- Community Building, Civics and National Symbols
- Holidays and Family Traditions/Economics
- Connections to History/US Government/Geography and World Cultures
1st Grade
English/Language Arts
Reading Comprehension: The core resource for comprehension instruction is the Making Meaning program.
The Making Meaning units of study in First Grade include:
- The Reading Life: Fiction and Narrative Nonfiction
- Retelling and Story Elements (fiction)
- Making Connections (fiction) and Understanding Character
- Visualizing with Multiple Genres (poetry and fiction)
- Wondering: Fictional and Narrative Non-fiction
- Growing and Changing our Thinking Through Expository Nonfiction
- Wondering, Making Connections and Activating Schema
- Exploring Text Features: Expository Nonfiction
- Informational Book Club
- Revisiting the Reading life
Vocabulary: The Making Meaning Vocabulary supplement teaches high-utility words found in the Making Meaning read-aloud texts along with strategies students can use to unlock word meanings when they are reading independently.
Writing: Written language instruction is based on Being a Writer.
Units of study in First Grade include:
- The Writing Community
- Getting Ideas
- Telling More
- Writing Stories About Me
- Writing Nonfiction
- Exploring Words Through Poetry
- Revisiting the Writing Community
Guided Reading and Small Group Instruction: The purpose of guided reading is for students to have time to read and apply strategies and skills that were demonstrated by the teacher during read aloud and shared reading instruction.
Foundational Skills: Wilson Fundations includes an integrated handwriting component that allows teachers to use a multi-sensory approach to teach how a letter looks, sounds and is formed.
Math
Math in Focus is a K-8 comprehensive mathematics program published by Marshall Cavendish. The instructional approaches emphasize real-world, hands on experiences through a concrete-pictorial-abstract learning progression. For more information about Math in Focus, visit the Math in Focus website.
Science
First grade students will use three science modules that focus on the content areas of science, Earth and Space Science, Physical Science, and Life Science. Descriptions of the modules are available on the Carolina Curriculum website.
Units of Study:
- The Life Cycle of Butterflies
- Weather
- Solids & Liquids
Social Studies
Students will get an introductory look into many facets that help to shape a community such as individual and group responsibility and contribution, geography, and economics. Students who have a firm grasp of the role of individuals in community and how communities function can make informed decisions regarding their own behavior and how their actions impact the community.
Major Units of Study:
- Community Building and Civics
- Geography and Culture
- US Historical Figures and Landmarks
Texts/Resources: Social Studies Alive! My School and Family
2nd Grade
English/Language Arts
Reading Comprehension: The core resource for comprehension instruction is the Making Meaning program.
The Making Meaning units of study in Second Grade include:
- The Reading Life: Fiction and Narrative Nonfiction
- Making Connections: Fiction, Visualizing and Story Elements
- Making Inferences and Following Characters Through Text
- Self Questioning as a Means to Interact with the Author
- Text Features: Exploring the Structures of Nonfiction Texts
- Determining Importance
- Book Clubs
- Revisiting the Reading life
Vocabulary: The Making Meaning Vocabulary supplement teaches high-utility words found in the Making Meaning read-aloud texts along with strategies students can use to unlock word meanings when they are reading independently.
Writing: Written language instruction is based on Being a Writer.
Units of study in Second Grade include:
- The Writing Community
- Telling More
- Fiction
- Nonfiction
- Letter Writing
- Poems and Words
- Revisiting the Writing Community
Guided Reading and Small Group Instruction: The purpose of guided reading is for students to have time to read and apply strategies and skills that were demonstrated by the teacher during read aloud and shared reading instruction.
Foundational Skills: In second grade, Fountas and Pinnell Phonics Lessons 2: Letters, words and how they work serve as the core of the word study program.
Handwriting: Cursive writing is introduced in second grade using the Zaner Bloser Handwriting program.
Math
Math in Focus is a K-8 comprehensive mathematics program published by Marshall Cavendish. The instructional approaches emphasize real-world, hands on experiences through a concrete-pictorial-abstract learning progression. For more information about Math in Focus, visit the Math in Focus website.
Science
Second grade students will be using three science modules which focus on three content areas of science, Earth and Space Science, Physical Science, and Life Science. . Descriptions of the modules are available on the Carolina Curriculum website.
Units of Study:
- Organisms
- Soils
- Balancing and Weighing
Social Studies
Students gain an understanding of the elements that help to shape a community. Citizenship, geography, and economics will be investigated to demonstrate how communities develop and change over time.
Major Units of Study:
- Community and Citizenship
- Geography
- Economics
- History, Historical Figures and Landmarks
Texts/Resources: Social Studies Alive: My Community
3rd Grade
English/Language Arts
Reading Comprehension: The core resource for comprehension instruction is the Making Meaning program.
The Making Meaning units of study in Third Grade include:
- The Reading Life: Fiction and Narrative Nonfiction
- Visualizing Narrative Fiction and Nonfiction
- Making Inferences in Fiction
- Questioning and Navigating Narrative Text for Deeper Understanding
- Expository: How to use questioning and text features to deepen understanding of expository text
- Determining Importance
- Book Clubs
- Revisiting the Reading life
Vocabulary: The Making Meaning Vocabulary supplement teaches high-utility words found in the Making Meaning read-aloud texts along with strategies students can use to unlock word meanings when they are reading independently.
Writing: Written language instruction is based on Being a Writer.
Units of study in Third Grade include:
- The Writing Community
- The Writing Process
- Personal Narrative
- Fiction
- Functional Writing
- Writing for a Test
- Revisiting the Writing Community
Guided Reading and Small Group Instruction: The purpose of guided reading is for students to have time to read and apply strategies and skills that were demonstrated by the teacher during read aloud and shared reading instruction.
Foundational Skills: Grades K-5 include direct instruction in the area of word study. In grade 3 Fountas and Pinnell Phonics Lessons 3: Letters, words and how they work serve as the core of the word study program.
Handwriting: Cursive writing is reinforced in grade 3 using the Zaner Bloser Handwriting program.
Math
Math in Focus is a K-8 comprehensive mathematics program published by Marshall Cavendish. The instructional approaches emphasize real-world, hands on experiences through a concrete-pictorial-abstract learning progression. For more information about Math in Focus, visit the Math in Focus website.
Science
Third grade students will use three science modules which focus on three content areas of science, Earth and Space Science, Physical Science, and Life Science. Descriptions of the modules can be found on the Carolina Curriculum website.
Major Units of Study in Third Grade:
- Plant Growth and Development
- Rocks and Minerals
- Changes
Social Studies
Students will broaden their awareness of the local and global communities in which they live. Third graders participate in the annual Walk to Wayne.
Major Units of Study:
- Participating in Our Community
- Community Government and Economics
- Wayne Over Time
Texts/Resources: Social Studies Alive! Our Community and Beyond
4th Grade
English/Language Arts
Reading Comprehension: The core resource for comprehension instruction is the Making Meaning program.
The Making Meaning units of study in Fourth Grade include:
- The Reading Life: Fiction and Narrative Nonfiction
- Recognizing Text Features, Expository Nonfiction
- Determining Important Ideas and Summarizing
- Tall Tale Book Clubs
- Questioning and Navigating Nonfiction for Deeper Understanding
- Analyzing Text Structure in Fiction and Nonfiction
- Making Inferences and Visualizing with Poetry and Nonficiton
- Making inferences and Examining Relationships in Fiction and Narrative Nonfiction
- Social Issues Book Clubs
- Analyzing Text Structure and Synthesizing Expository Nonfiction
- Revisiting the Reading Life Through Book Clubs
Vocabulary: The Making Meaning Vocabulary supplement teaches high-utility words found in the Making Meaning read-aloud texts along with strategies students can use to unlock word meanings when they are reading independently.
Writing: Written language instruction is based on Being a Writer.
Units of study in Fourth Grade include:
- The Writing Community
- The Writing Process
- Personal Narrative
- Fiction
- Expository Nonfiction
- Poetry
- Persuasive Nonfiction
- Writing for a Test
- Revisiting the Writing Community
Guided Reading and Small Group Instruction: The purpose of guided reading is for students to have time to read and apply strategies and skills that were demonstrated by the teacher during read aloud and shared reading instruction.
Foundational Skills: Students in 4th and 5th grade use Dr. Richard Gentry’s Spelling Connection program.
Handwriting: Issues with legibility are addressed on an as needed basis using differentiated instruction whole class, small group or one-on-one. Resources from the Zaner Bloser Handwriting program are available for this purpose.
Math
Math in Focus is a K-8 comprehensive mathematics program published by Marshall Cavendish. The instructional approaches emphasize real-world, hands on experiences through a concrete-pictorial-abstract learning progression. For more information about Math in Focus, visit the Math in Focus website.
Science
Fourth grade students will use three science modules which focus on three content areas of science, Earth and Space Science, Physical Science, and Life Science. Descriptions of the modules can be found on the Carolina Curriculum website.
Major Units of Study in Fourth Grade:
- Animal Studies
- Land and Water
- Electric Circuits
Social Studies
Students gain a firm grasp of the world around them; the understanding of how social scientist study our world; the patterns of human development in the United States, the interactions of people and places that helped shaped the United States and specifically Pennsylvania; the understanding of the importance of the regions of the United States with a focus on the Northeast Region; the understanding of how the branches of the government work and that good citizens make informed decision to improve their community, state, country and world.
Major Units of Study:
- Social Scientist
- Peopling of the United States
- Geography
- Regions of the United States
- Pennsylvania
Texts/Resources: Social Studies Alive! Regions of our Country; Pennsylvania: Our Home
5th Grade
English/Language Arts
Reading Comprehension: The core resource for comprehension instruction is the Making Meaning program.
The Making Meaning units of study in Fifth Grade include:
- The Reading Life: Fiction and Narrative Informational Text
- Analyzing Text Features, Structure, and Character Analysis in Fiction
- Analyzing Text Features, Structure, and Questioning in Expository Informational
- Determining Important Ideas and Summarizing and Synthesizing in Fiction
- Determining Important Ideas and Summarizing and Synthesizing in Informational Text
- Making Inferences and Visualizing with Poetry and Drama
- Making Inferences: Expository Nonfiction
- Analyzing Text Structure and Synthesizing Expository Nonfiction
- Close Analysis of Short Texts
- Genre Book Clubs
Vocabulary: The Making Meaning Vocabulary supplement teaches high-utility words found in the Making Meaning read-aloud texts along with strategies students can use to unlock word meanings when they are reading independently.
Writing: Written language instruction is based on Being a Writer.
- Units of study in Fifth Grade include:
- The Writing Community
- The Writing Process
- Personal Narrative
- Fiction
- Expository Nonfiction
- Persuasive Nonfiction
- Poetry
- Functional Writing
- Writing for a Test
- Revisiting the Writing Community
Guided Reading and Small Group Instruction: The purpose of guided reading is for students to have time to read and apply strategies and skills that were demonstrated by the teacher during read aloud and shared reading instruction.
Foundational Skills: Students in grades 4 and 5 use Dr. Richard Gentry’s Spelling Connection program.
Handwriting: Issues with legibility are addressed on an as needed basis using differentiated instruction whole class, small group or one-on-one. Resources from the Zaner Bloser Handwriting program are available for this purpose.
Math
Math in Focus is a K-8 comprehensive mathematics program published by Marshall Cavendish. The instructional approaches emphasize real-world, hands on experiences through a concrete-pictorial-abstract learning progression. For more information about Math in Focus, visit the Math in Focus website.
Science
Fifth grade students will be using three science modules which focus on three content areas of science, Earth and Space Science, Physical Science, and Life Science. Descriptions of the modules are available on the Carolina Curriculum website.
Major Units of Study in Fifth Grade:
- Microworlds
- Motion and Design
- Floating & Sinking
Social Studies
Specials
Art
Art classes introduce the vocabulary that is intrinsic to producing and talking about art. The elements of art are embedded in lessons that demonstrate how to use a variety of media, techniques, processes, tools and materials to create art. Major understandings include: artists make thoughtful choices when creating works of art and often repeat a task many times to learn a new skill; visual art is created for a variety of purposes; art can communicate ideas, express emotions and relate experiences; visual art is displayed; and art elicits a response from the viewer.
1st Grade Units of Study:
- Line is used to create art
- Lines make shapes/shapes make objects
- Paper and fiber weaving on loom
- Clay pinch pot
- Mixing primary colors to create secondary colors
2nd Grade Units of Study:
- John James Audubon
- Clay Slab Work; expanded pinch pot experience
- Yarn weaving on cardboard loom
- Introduction of warm and cool color families
3rd Grade Units of Study:
- Introduction to architecture
- Clay Slab work
- Introduction to weaving around the loom to create a pillow or purse by fifth grade
- Introduction to additional color families
4th Grade Units of Study:
- Keith Haring
- Clay Coiled Pot
- Introduction to making shapes in weaving
- Expansion of painting techniques
5th Grade Units of Study:
- One-Point Perspective
- Ceramic project incorporating all techniques used over the past 4 years.
- Introduction of Mixed Media art such as collage
Innovation Design Studio
Every student in grades K-5 benefits from a Specials subject area called, "Innovation Design Studio," dedicated to Computer Science and hands-on innovative instruction in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
The program will be experiential and project-based to allow for:
- Voice
- Co-creation
- Social Construction
- Self-discovery
The ID Studio will be taught and experienced using a lens of design and dispositions.
- DESIGN
- Engineering Design Process
- Design Thinking (Human-centered Design)
- Maker Pedagogy
- Iterative Processes
- DISPOSITIONS
- Character Traits
- Next Generation Skills
- Habits of Mind
Core areas of K-5 Innovation Design Studio instruction:
- Computer Science (Computational Thinking & Programming)
- Computer Science (Productivity)
- STEM & Engineering
Library
The library curriculum is closely aligned with the English Language Arts Pennsylvania Core Standards and the American Association of School Librarians.
Kindergarten Units of Study:
- Life of a Reader
- Organization of the library
- Parts of a book / Type of books
- Responsible Library Citizenship
- Research
- Digital Citizenship
1st Grade Units of Study:
- Life of a Reader
- Organization of the library
- Type of books / Information in books
- Responsible Library Citizenship
- Research
- Digital Citizenship
2nd Grade Units of Study
- Life of a Reader
- Selecting Informational and Literary Text
- Preparing and Publishing Multimedia Presentations
- Responsible Library Citizenship
- Research
- Digital Citizenship
3rd Grade Units of Study
- Life of a Reader
- Selecting Informational and Literary Text
- Preparing and Publishing Multimedia Presentations
- Responsible Library Citizenship
- Research
- Digital Citizenship
4th Grade Units of Study
- Life of a Reader
- Selecting Informational and Literary Text
- Preparing and Publishing Multimedia Presentations
- Responsible Library Citizenship
- Research
- Digital Citizenship
5th Grade Units of Study
- Life of a Reader
- Selecting and Evaluating Informational and Literary Text
- Preparing and Publishing Multimedia Presentations
- Responsible Library Citizenship
- Research
- Digital Citizenship
Music
Elementary students experience music by singing, playing, moving, and improvising. Children explore the musical elements: melody, harmony, rhythm, form, and timbre, as well as expressive elements through a varied repertoire of music from diverse cultures and genres.
Kindergarten: The skills of matching pitch and steady beat are explored through singing and movement games as well as instrumental play.
1st Grade: Elementary students experience music by singing, playing, moving, and improvising. The skills of matching pitch, steady beat, rhythmic notation, and echo are taught and assessed regularly throughout the year. Students are assessed on notation of quarter notes, paired eighth notes and quarter rest. Students regularly have the opportunity to perform music using Orff instruments and multicultural instruments.
2nd Grade: Students are assessed on singing by memory, playing both rhythmic and melodic ostinati, reading and notating quarter notes, quarter rests, paired eighth notes, and half note, as well as identifying AB and ABA form. Students regularly have the opportunity to perform music using Orff instruments and multicultural instruments.
3rd-Grade: Students learn how to read treble clef notation by performing on the soprano recorder throughout the school year. Students also use the recorder as a tool for ostinati and improvisatory activities. Students regularly have the opportunity to perform music using Orff instruments and multicultural instruments.
4th-Grade: Students have frequent opportunities to connect music to cultural and historical events as well as other subject areas through class discussion. All students participate in a grade-level chorus concert in the spring. Chorus instruction is imbedded within the general music classroom instruction during the spring semester. Students typically learn and perform a wide variety of musical styles such as Spirituals, multicultural and folk music, and novelty pieces, often incorporating movement and instruments as well.
- Strings: Fourth grade introduces string instruments. Beginning strings students meet for a small group lesson once every cycle during the Intervention/Enrichment period for 25 minutes. Full orchestra rehearsals before school are held once per week, beginning in March. Students participate in at least one concert in the Spring. Major topics of study include posture, bow grip, note reading, rhythm, dynamics, tempo, tone production, intonation, balance, blend, and articulation.
5th-Grade: Students have frequent opportunities to connect music to cultural and historical events as well as other subject areas through class discussion. All students participate in a grade-level chorus concert in the spring. Chorus instruction is imbedded within the general music classroom instruction during the spring semester. Students typically learn and perform a wide variety of musical styles such as Spirituals, multicultural and folk music, and novelty pieces, often incorporating movement and instruments as well.
- Band: Fifth grade introduces band. Beginning band students meet for a small group lesson once every cycle during the Intervention/Enrichment period for 25 minutes. Full band rehearsals before school are held once per week, beginning in January. Students participate in at least once concert in the Spring. Major topics of study include posture, embouchure/stick grip, note reading, rhythm, dynamics, tempo, tone production, intonation, balance, blend, and articulation.
- Strings: Second year strings students meet for a small group lesson once every cycle during the Intervention/Enrichment period for 25 minutes. Orchestra rehearsals begin in October and are held one day per week before school. Students participate in at least two concerts per year. Major Topics of Study include reinforcement of posture, bow grip, rhythm, dynamics, tempo, note reading, tone production, intonation, balance, blend, articulation. Emphasis on major vs. minor tonality; dotted rhythms; sixteenth notes; syncopation; scales up to three sharps and two flats.
Texts: Silver Burdett’s Making Music
Physical Education
The goal of physical education is based on the idea that if you teach children to move efficiently and to achieve success and satisfaction in movement experiences, their attitude toward all physical activities will be more positive. Students will focus on positive social interaction: taking turns, listening skills, safety awareness, and respect for self and peers.
Kindergarten: The program consists of activities that enhance body awareness, self control, spatial awareness, gross and fine motor skills, loco motor and non-loco motor movements, creative and rhythmic movements, directionality, balance, partner and group challenges, and manipulative skills with a variety of equipment.
1st Grade: Students will begin to apply newly learned skills in a meaningful way by engaging in various low organized games.
2nd Grade: Students are introduced to the concepts of fitness, healthy lifestyles, and more game-type settings. Emphasis is centered on cooperation, sportsmanship, body control, and rule awareness. Students continue to focus on listening skills, safety awareness, respect for self and peers, and appropriate peer interaction.
3rd Grade: Students begin to engage in more sport-related skills and activities. The program stimulates skeletal growth, improves muscle strength and coordination, increases flexibility, promotes cardiovascular and respiratory fitness, introduces new skills, teaches the enjoyment of a variety of sports and reinforces the concepts of good sportsmanship and teamwork.
4th Grade: Students engage in more sport-related skills and activities. The program stimulates skeletal growth, improves muscle strength and coordination, increases flexibility, promotes cardiovascular and respiratory fitness, introduces new skills, teaches the enjoyment of a variety of sports, and reinforces the concepts of good sportsmanship and teamwork.
5th Grade: Students will engage in more advanced sport-related skills and activities. The 5th grade PE program is based on meeting the needs and interests of the upper elementary school children and is geared toward their holistic development.
Wellness
All students in grades 1-5 take part in wellness classes which consists of eight units taught throughout the school year to help educate students on living a healthy and safe lifestyle. Information taught becomes progressively more challenging but remains developmentally appropriate.
Units of Study include:
- Safety
- Emergency Situations
- First Aid
- Hygiene
- Relaxation
- Body Systems
- Drug prevention
- Nutrition
Secondary Curriculum
Middle School (Grades 6-8)
Radnor Middle School is committed to developing students with a global perspective and understanding the world through disciplinary and interdisciplinary studies.
For more information on the course offerings available to Radnor Middle School students, view the RMS Program of Studies.
RMS Course Placement Criteria
Note: A Parent Override to access a RMS Accelerated class is available for one subject/discipline (excluding math) per year.
English/Language Arts (ELA)
Accelerated Language Arts
Accelerated LA allows high performing, highly motivated, and academically gifted students to pursue rigorous coursework that is two or more years above grade level expectations. Students are admitted to accelerated courses based on criteria that consider past performance and demonstrated readiness. This course builds on and extends the range of basic content from the on-grade-level language arts course and pursues skills and content from advanced grade levels. Students in this course will develop advanced skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening, and research. Rigorous in and out of class reading, research, challenging class discussions and a variety of writing experiences will be required. Summer assignments may also be required.
Language Arts
Grade level Language Arts allows both on- and above- grade-level students to pursue rigorous coursework both at and above grade-level expectations. Students are admitted to these courses based on criteria that consider past performance and demonstrated readiness. This course is standard-based and designed to support students in meeting grade-level standards in reading, writing, listening and speaking as well as reaching beyond those standards if they demonstrate readiness. In and out of class reading, research, challenging class discussions and a variety of writing experiences will be required.
Intensive Language Arts Comprehension
Intensive Language Arts Comprehension is specially designed for students for whom reading and/or writing achievement limits their ability to fully benefit from the grade-level language arts course and other content area instruction. For these students, skill deficits in the area of comprehension is the area of greatest need. Students are admitted to these courses based on criteria that consider past performance and demonstrated readiness and the course is specially designed to advance reading and writing skills that are below grade-level expectation. The delivery model for this course will include the use of a research-based instructional program, specially trained staff, additional minutes of instruction and specialized technology. Direct instruction and guided practice in comprehension, fluency, phonemic awareness and phonics is aligned with each student’s specific areas of need. Students in these courses may be exposed to some of the Radnor Township School District core language arts curriculum but the priority is building skills in reading and written language to ensure future academic success in all areas.
Intensive Language Arts-Decoding
Intensive Language Arts Decoding is specially designed for students for whom reading and/or writing achievement limits their ability to fully benefit from the grade-level language arts course and other content area instruction. For these students, skill deficits in the area of decoding is the area of greatest need. Students are admitted to these courses based on criteria that consider past performance and demonstrated readiness and the course is specially designed to advance reading and writing skills that are below grade-level expectation. The delivery model for this course will include the use of research-based instructional programs and specially trained staff and may also offer additional minutes of instruction and specialized technology. Direct instruction and guided practice in phonemic awareness, phonics, comprehension, vocabulary development and fluency is aligned with each student’s specific areas of need. Students in these courses may be exposed to some of the Radnor Township School District core curriculum, but the priority is building skills in reading and written language to ensure future academic success in all areas.
Note: The RTSD ELA and Social Studies Placement Criteria for the 2023-24 school year is available below in PDF format. If you have difficulty accessing this document and need it in a different format, please contact the Department of Teaching and Learning.
Math
Radnor Township School District strives to appropriately challenge and support all students. An important aspect of the RTSD math course placement process is the use of Evidence of Mastery (EoM) assessments based on above-level content to determine readiness for course acceleration. The EoM assessments will be administered in school, following all health and safety protocols.
Note: The RTSD Math Placement Criteria for the 2023-24 school year is available below in PDF format. If you have difficulty accessing this document and need it in a different format, please contact the Department of Teaching and Learning.
Course Progression from Grade 8 Honors Algebra 1
All 8th-grade students enrolled in Honors Algebra 1 will take the Algebra 1 Keystone Exam in May.
High School Course Progression
1. Placement into Seminar Geometry in 9th grade requires an average of 90% (A-).
2. Placement into Honors Geometry in 9th grade requires an average of 82.5% (B).
3. Placement into Advanced Geometry in 9th grade requires an average of 80% (B-).
4. Since Algebra 1 includes foundational skills needed for success in higher level math courses, if a student scores below 80% in Algebra 1, the teacher will recommend that the student retakes Algebra 1 in 9th Grade. Students may also elect to take Algebra 1 in summer school (please refer to RHS summer school criteria.) Please note that Honors level Algebra is not available in 9th grade.
Other Important Information
Algebra 1 Honors students who have an average score below 75% at the end of the first or second marking period will be moved into Course 3. Algebra 1 Honors students who have an average score between a 75-79% at the end of the first or second marking period may have the choice of completing Algebra 1 or may select to move to Course 3. Students will be recommended to repeat Algebra 1 the following year if their average is below 80% (B-) at the end of the year.
Science
Accelerated Science
Accelerated science courses allow high performing, highly motivated, and academically talented students to pursue rigorous coursework. Students are admitted to accelerated courses based on criteria that consider past performance and demonstrated readiness. Texts and materials used in the course are two or more years above grade level. The accelerated science courses focus on the same major topics as the grade-level courses but move at a faster pace and go into greater depth than the grade-level course. Students will read complex texts, write intensively, and engage in challenging scientific investigations.
Science
Grade-level science courses allow students to pursue coursework at a variety of levels. The sixth grade science course focuses on select Earth Science concepts from Geospheric, Atmospheric, and Astronomical fields of study. The seventh-grade science course focuses on topics from the Life Sciences including the exploration of concepts from the structure and function of organisms, animal diversity, and ecology. The eighth-grade science course lays the foundation for further study of the physical science and includes concepts from both physics (force, motion, waves, and electricity) and chemistry (the nature of matter and interactions between matter and energy). Across all grades, students will engage in reading, writing, class discussions, and projects to develop their understanding of these topics. The curriculum for each course was developed in accordance with state and national science standard documents.
Note: The RTSD Science Placement Criteria for the 2023-24 school year is available below in PDF format. If you have difficulty accessing this document and need it in a different format, please contact the Department of Teaching and Learning.
Social Studies
Accelerated Social Studies
Accelerated social studies courses allow high performing, highly motivated, and academically gifted students to pursue rigorous coursework that is two or more years above grade level. Students are admitted to accelerated courses based on criteria that considers past performance and demonstrated readiness. The accelerated social studies courses focus on the same major topics as the grade-level courses but move at a faster pace and go into greater depth than the grade-level course. Students will read complex texts, write intensively, engage in challenging class discussions, and will complete an extensive research project on an historical topic using primary and secondary sources.
Social Studies
Grade-level social studies courses allow students to pursue coursework at a variety of levels. The sixth grade focuses on world geography and culture, the seventh grade studies world history from the birth of civilization through 1500 CE, and the eighth grade course focuses on U.S. history from colonization through Reconstruction. Students will engage in reading, writing, class discussions, and projects to develop their understanding of social studies and their ability to participate as citizens in a democratic and global community. The curriculum for each course was developed in accordance with the Pennsylvania Standards for Civics and Government, Economics, Geography, and History, and the Common Core Standards.
Note: The RTSD ELA and Social Studies Placement Criteria for the 2023-24 school year is available below in PDF format. If you have difficulty accessing this document and need it in a different format, please contact the Department of Teaching and Learning.
High School (Grades 9-12)
Radnor High School provides challenges and opportunities for success for all its members, students and staff. It is our goal that each student receives an education at a level appropriate to their ability and has an equal opportunity to participate in the educational program.
For information on the course offerings available to Radnor High School students, view the RHS Program of Studies.
K-12 Mathematics Curriculum Sequence Roadmap
The detailed K-12 Mathematics Curriculum Sequence Roadmap shows an expanded view of the entire math sequence.
View K-12 Mathematics Curriculum Sequence Roadmap (pdf)
RTSD Math Placement Criteria for Fall 2023
Radnor Township School District strives to appropriately challenge and support all students. An important aspect of the RTSD math course placement process is the use of Evidence of Mastery (EoM) assessments based on above-level content to determine readiness for course acceleration. The EoM assessments will be administered in school, following all health and safety protocols.
RTSD Math Placement Criteria for Fall 2023 (PDF)
Note: The K-12 Mathematics Curriculum Sequence Roadmap and RTSD Math Placement Criteria are available online in PDF format. If you have difficulty accessing this document and need it in a different format, please contact the Department of Teaching and Learning.