Our School Home / About Us / Our School The Rhoades School in Encinitas, CA At our school, we don’t just teach—we transform how children learn and grow. As one of the best private elementary schools in Encinitas, we are proud to give your child an experience that no other school can match. Our commitment to exceptional academics and student-centered learning ensures every child is seen, supported, and empowered to thrive. We are proud to be fully accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Our teachers create a vibrant, supportive space where our students feel safe, excited, and ready to learn. We teach them to be independent and motivated, helping them build a love for learning that lasts a lifetime. Through hands-on activities, exciting lessons, and the latest technology, we prepare your child for the future. Here, your child won’t just meet expectations; they will exceed them. Explore Our Curriculum Admissions (760) 334-7856 Lower School TK — 5th Grade 141 S Rancho Santa Fe Rd Encinitas, CA 92024 M-F 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM Middle School 6th Grade — 8th Grade 910 Encinitas Blvd Encinitas, CA 92024 M-F 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM Our Mission & Core Values Mission: Inspire curious minds to think deeply and live courageously. Core Values Academic Achievement: We help our students build good habits like asking questions, thinking critically, being creative, and loving learning. Developing Character: We teach our students to be honest, responsible, kind, and respectful to themselves and others. Intrinsic Motivation: We encourage our students to find joy in learning and doing their best because it makes them happy, not just for rewards like grades or prizes. Learner Outcomes Rhoades School students are students who: Achieve excellence in academics and exhibit creativity of thought and expression. Develop intellectual curiosity and a desire for lifelong learning. Develop personal and ethical responsibility. Effectively communicate and work with others. Our Approach Habits of Mind The 16 Habits of Mind are ways that smart people solve problems when the answers aren’t easy to find. We teach our students these habits in both academic and social settings. Three-Ring Model The Three-Ring Model says that gifted students have three special traits: above average intelligence, creativity, and task commitment. We use this model when choosing students for our school. Our students use their creativity, commitment, and intelligence to succeed in learning. SAMR Model The SAMR Model (Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, Redefinition) helps our teachers use technology to impact teaching and learning. Instead of using technology to do things the old way, we help our students do new things that they couldn’t before. Substitution and augmentation enhances learning, while modification and redefinition transforms the process. Social & Emotional Learning Social and emotional learning at our school is rooted in the CASEL Framework. We help children grow these skills by helping them to understand their feelings, care about others, and make good choices. We use lessons and meetings to help our students learn things like empathy and courage to do what is right. Thinking Maps Thinking Maps are visuals that help children think and learn. There are eight different types of maps. Each one helps with a special kind of thinking. Everyone learns in their own way, but studies show that pictures help us learn better than words alone. These maps give everyone at school a shared way to show their ideas. Understanding by Design The Understanding by Design (UBD) Framework helps our teachers plan lessons that meet the needs of our students. It helps them figure out what students need to learn, how to check if they have learned it, and the best ways to team. UBD focuses on six ways to understand: explain, interpret, apply, perspective, empathy, and self-knowledge. Learn more. Homework at the Rhoades School Studies show that the amount of homework in elementary and middle school does not impact success. Academic gains from homework are found only in the high school years, and they are slight. We do not give homework on weekends. We also do not give homework on Thursday that would take more than one night to finish. We believe that children need time to rest, reflect, be creative, and sleep at least 9 hours a night. If weeknights are busy, our students can use time on the weekends to complete their work. For more information, see Five Hallmarks of Good Homework. From the Head of School Joanne Pate Dear Parents, Since 1980, our school has been known in San Diego County for its excellence in preschool through 8th grade education. We combine a challenging curriculum with innovative instruction designed to meet the needs and passions of gifted students. At our school, we focus on teaching children how to think, not what to think. Students are provided with an appropriate technology-rich curriculum, a supportive peer group, and suitable guidance in an encouraging and thoughtful manner. Our caring teachers challenge their students to think in new and creative ways, solve problems, and do their very best. We help them build confidence and skills to succeed in the high school of their choice. Our graduates do amazing things and are ready for continued success. We are proud of our warm and welcoming community. We offer many ways to stay in touch with us through newsletters, direct teacher email, classroom websites, Facebook, X, Instagram, and classroom visits. Students, parents, and teachers all work together in this supportive environment where everyone feels valued. We would love for you to come visit The Rhoades School to see our school in action. We can’t wait to meet you! Sincerely, Joanne Pate, Head of School Read More Frequently Asked Questions What grades does The Rhoades School serve? We offer a private school education for children in Transitional Kindergarten through 8th grade. What are the hours of operation at your school? Our academic day hours are: Transitional Kindergarten – 8:20 am–2:30 pm Kindergarten – 8:20 am–2:40 pm 1st & 2nd Grade – 8:20 am–2:50 pm 3rd, 4th & 5th Grade – 8:20 am–3:00 pm 6th, 7th & 8th Grade – 8:25 am–3:05 pm Extended hours are 8:00 am–5:30 pm. How much is tuition for the 2024-2025 school year? Click here to view our tuition and fee schedule. Is your school accredited? We are fully accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). What is the educational approach at The Rhoades School? We use an inquiry-based, constructivist approach. Our curriculum is tailored to gifted students, integrating technology and hands-on learning. What does it mean to be an Apple Distinguished School? We have been honored as an Apple Distinguished School, a title given to less than 900 schools in 37 countries. This places us as one of the most innovative schools in the world. We use technology in daily activities to drive creative thinking, foster teamwork, and tailor learning to each child’s needs. To learn more, visit our Classroom Technology page. What extracurricular activities are available? We offer a variety of activities for our students, including arts, STEM clubs, service learning, and leadership opportunities.
