Waldorf early childhood
Movement, storytelling, outdoor exploration, and purposeful play support natural development.
Parent resources
What families need for the school year.
Calendars, daily logistics, district services, and the details that keep Red Granite running smoothly for current families.
Unique to Red Granite
All-day 4K — a full day of wonder
Red Granite offers a developmentally appropriate, full-day 4K program grounded in the Public Waldorf model. Multi-age early childhood classrooms nurture creativity, imagination, and emotional growth in a rhythm-rich, play-centered environment — supporting the whole child: head, heart, and hands.
Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday rotation, with the option for some Fridays.
Built for working families
A full-day rhythm gives young children consistency and gives parents a dependable school day.
Foundations for learning
Through imitation, guided activity, and nature-based work, children build social, emotional, and academic readiness.
Example full-day 4K rhythm
- 8:30–9:00 Circle time
- 9:00–9:30 Morning snack
- 9:30–10:00 Guided activity
- 10:00–10:45 Outdoor exploration
- 10:45–11:20 Lunch
- 11:20–12:20 Heggerty (phonics)
- 12:20–1:00 Independent play
- 1:00–1:15 Story
- 1:15–2:00 Rest
- 2:00–2:30 Afternoon snack
- 2:30–2:45 Chores / housekeeping
- 2:45–3:15 Outdoor time, goodbye circle, dismissal
Weekly rhythm
Each week has a shape — some days are painting days, others are baking, crafts, or cooking. The rhythm gives children the security of knowing what kind of day it is, and it changes with the seasons.
- Painting Watercolor and color exploration
- Baking Bread, seasonal recipes, purposeful kitchen work
- Crafts Handwork, knitting, woodworking, or seasonal making
- Nature Outdoor study, gardening, trail walks, seasonal observation
Early childhood is a unique period of life that deserves respect, guidance, nurture, and time. Meaningful work and creative play in a structured environment help children build the social skills they will need to realize their potential in relation to others.
Quick links
Parent resources
School year
Calendar
Red Granite follows the Wausau School District calendar with charter-specific dates on the RGCS calendar.
After school
After-school programs
Because Red Granite shares a building with Rib Mountain Elementary, students can take part in many of the after-school programs offered there. Current offerings and sign-up run through Rib Mountain.
Classroom
Supply list
Current supply lists for each classroom and grade band.
Arrival & dismissal
Transportation
District busing is available for K–5 students on Rib Mountain First Student routes. Busing is not offered for 4K charter students at this time. Families outside existing routes arrange their own transportation.
Meals
Lunch
Wausau School District provides lunch for K–5 students. Students eat in the Rib Mountain Elementary cafeteria from 12:00–12:20 PM.
Daily snacks
Snacks
Snacks and classroom treats follow Wausau School District guidelines. Check with your child’s teacher about allergies. Shared treats must be store-bought with ingredients listed.
Our building
Rib Mountain Elementary
Red Granite is located within Rib Mountain Elementary. We share common spaces while keeping separate instruction and school communities.
Partnership FAQOutdoor learning
Outdoor clothing
There is no such thing as bad weather — only wrong clothing. Layering keeps children warm, dry, and ready to play outside.
Clothing guidePublic reporting
School report card
Required Wisconsin school report card and educational options notices.
Rib Mountain Elementary
Sharing a building, separate schools
Red Granite and Rib Mountain Elementary are two schools under one roof. Classroom learning stays separate; students may cross paths in hallways, restrooms, the playground, gym, and health office.
Rib Mountain Elementary websiteDrop-off and pick-up
Vehicles drop off from 8:15–8:30 AM at the back of the building near the playground (door #8). Red Granite pick-up is 3:15–3:25 PM to reduce end-of-day congestion. Staff assist at pick-up and drop-off.
Classroom space and staff
Red Granite has four designated classrooms and its own teachers and administrative staff. Staff collaborate with Rib Mountain when needed, especially for building safety and emergencies.
Shared spaces and programming
Schools share bathrooms, playground, gym, and other common areas. There is no shared instructional programming beyond required safety drills. Special events are coordinated on separate days.
Communication and safety
Red Granite uses the same family communication platform as the Wausau School District. Both schools follow the same building-wide safety protocols, emergency procedures, and drills.
Outdoor clothing
Dress for the weather
When children are dressed for the conditions, their bodies can focus on growing and playing instead of fighting the cold or wet. Every classroom keeps extra gear when a student needs it.
The essentials
- Base layer — wool or wool/silk long underwear next to skin
- Mid layer — everyday clothes in natural fibers
- Extra layer — sweater, vest, wool socks, hat, mittens
- Rain/wet outer layer — waterproof boots, rain pants or bibs, coat, mittens
- Snow/cold outer layer — insulated waterproof boots, bibs, coat, hat, waterproof mittens
Layers by temperature
- Above 60° Mid layer
- 60°–50° Base + mid, or mid + extra
- 50°–40° Base + mid + extra
- 40°–25° Base + mid + outer
- Below 25° Base + mid + extra + outer
Every child runs warm or cool differently. Check neck and back — hands are often colder than the rest of the body.
Rain suits: Grades students should have waterproof rain pants designed to last multiple years. Red Granite purchases rain suits for Pre-K and Kindergarten classrooms — those families do not need to buy their own.