A learning community that empowers students to achieve their academic and life potential

Our Early Childhood program at Raffles American School is meticulously crafted to foster both cognitive and social development while acclimating students to the routines and expectations of a classroom environment. By recognizing the importance of these formative years, our program focuses on holistic growth, ensuring that each child’s physical, emotional, social, and intellectual needs are met.

“The early years are the most important in a child’s development — where learning begins and potential is unlocked.”

Character Education
As a key element of working with parents to develop the ‘whole child,’ the following themes are developed throughout the year through a whole school focus. Core activities include shared reading, assemblies, and student-initiated activities and outreach projects. Caring, responsibility, inclusiveness, integrity, respect, courage. Core subjects are taught by the Homeroom teacher.
English Language Arts (ELA)
In Pre-Kinder, we use the Creative Curriculum and GOLD Progression objectives as our foundation. Students explore and discover English through rich language experiences, building strong speaking, listening, pre-reading, and pre-writing skills to prepare for Kindergarten. In Kindergarten, the English Language Arts Common Core standards guide our literacy program, focusing on reading, writing, listening, speaking, and language foundations. Learning is differentiated to ensure accessibility and engagement. A balanced literacy approach provides students with authentic reading and writing experiences, explicit instruction, and opportunities to work independently. Teachers offer scaffolding, feedback, and collaborative activities to support skill development. This approach ensures all students receive the tools they need to grow as confident, capable learners.
Mathematics
Pre-K: The GOLD Progression objectives guide early learning in Mathematics, focusing on numbers, shapes, space, and measurement. Through play and small group instruction, students explore Mathematical concepts, using observation and problem-solving to understand the world. Differentiated instruction helps build foundational skills and fosters the use of Mathematical language. Kindergarten: Common Core standards shape our Math program, emphasizing problem-solving, reasoning, and modeling through Practice Standards, as well as foundational skills like counting, operations, measurement, and geometry through Content Standards. Students develop conceptual understanding using manipulatives and drawings, constructing knowledge through hands-on exploration. They are encouraged to apply multiple strategies to solve problems and articulate their thinking, both orally and in writing, promoting deeper understanding and critical thinking.
Science and Social Studies
Through integrated inquiry units, students in PreK learn about themselves, their community, how the world works, and our planet. Student questions, curiosity, and observations are encouraged and used as an integral part of the learning program. “Invitations to play’ entice children to explore these different concepts and express their understanding in creative ways. The GOLD Progression objectives scaffold learning expectations for our youngest learners. In Kinder, these hands-on learning experiences continue designed using the Next Generation Science Standards for Science and the AERO standards for Social Studies.
Visual Arts
Students are provided with opportunities to learn a wide variety of artistic techniques and mediums in order to demonstrate and share their creativity. Our Art curriculum is based on the GOLD Progression objectives for PreK and the U.S. National Standards for Art Education for Kinder. Students in PreK – Grade 5 have two Art classes per week with a specialist Elementary Art teacher.
Music
Students are actively involved in creating, moving, singing, playing instruments, and performing. Our Music curriculum is based on the GOLD Progression objectives for PreK and the U.S. National Standards for Music Education for Kinder. Students in PreK – Grade 5 have two Music classes per week with a specialist Elementary Music teacher.
Physical Education (PE)
Our PE program follows the GOLD Progression objectives for PreK and the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE America) standards. RAS students will develop health-related fitness, physical competence, cognitive understanding, and positive attitudes about physical activity so that they can make lifelong wellbeing (physical, social, mental and emotional, spiritual) enhancing decisions. We promote active participation and encourage students to develop intrinsic motivation for an active lifestyle. Students in PreK – Grade 5 have two PE classes per week with a specialist Elementary PE teacher.
Dance
Our PreK students have the opportunity to participate in dance lessons twice a week with a specialist Dance teacher. These lessons provide our youngest students with opportunities to create and express themselves through music and movement. Our Dance program follows the GOLD Progression objectives.
World Languages (WLG) - Kinder
The primary goal of our World Language program is to enable students to communicate effectively in an additional language. Languages being taught include Bahasa Malay and Mandarin Language Acquisition. (Mandarin B) Mandarin is also taught to students for whom Mandarin is their Mother Tongue language. (Mandarin A) Students in Kinder – Grade 5 have two WLG classes per week with specialist language teachers.
Previous slide
Next slide
A Nurturing Environment

At Raffles American School, we provide a supportive environment where students feel safe to explore, grow, and achieve their full potential. Through individualized attention and a focus on academic, social, and emotional growth, we empower every child to thrive and succeed.

Learning Through Discovery and Play
We emphasize discovery and play as essential pathways to learning. Through hands-on exploration and creative experiences, students develop curiosity, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of learning.
Foundational Literacy and Numeracy

We build strong foundations in literacy and numeracy through engaging, hands-on learning experiences. By fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills, we ensure students develop the confidence and abilities needed for future academic success.

Smooth Transition to Elementary School

We ensure a smooth transition to elementary school by building strong academic, social, and emotional foundations. Our supportive environment helps students confidently embrace new challenges and thrive in their learning journey.