Life at RPMS extends well beyond the classroom. Before- and after-school care gives families the flexibility they need while offering children familiar, supportive spaces to unwind, play, create, and spend time with friends.
Beyond childcare, after-school programs, athletics, and summer camp give children even more opportunities to explore their interests, try something new, and deepen their connections within the RPMS community.
A disagreement over Legos turned into a real-world lesson about peace agreements.
Students participating in “The Trees” literary journal see their writing both printed and sold. “The Trees” is available at school and at local bookstores.
Taekwondo classes stretch across two generations of RPMS students, creating shared experiences. Children now learn from the same instructor who taught their parents.
RPMS offers before- and after-school care for children at every program level, giving families greater flexibility while providing children with familiar, thoughtfully designed spaces to play, socialize, create, and unwind beyond the school day.
Families can choose the aftercare schedule that works for them, with options available from two to five days per week.
EARLY ARRIVAL
Early Arrival is available beginning at 7:30 a.m., with several options that extend the school day through 6 p.m.
AFTERCARE
Clover aftercare extends the Toddler day in a familiar, nurturing environment, building on the morning’s work in self-care, language, movement, and caring for their community while making room for rest, outdoor time, and imaginative play.
LOGISTICS
Toddlers staying past 11:15 a.m. enjoy a family-style lunch, a nap, an afternoon snack, and an additional afternoon recess. All lunches and snacks in the Toddler program are provided by the school and covered in the published fees.
Families may choose aftercare two to five days per week, with rates prorated accordingly; Early Arrival is offered as a four- or five-day option only.
EARLY ARRIVAL
Early Arrival is available beginning at 7:30 a.m., with several options that extend the school day through 6 p.m.
AFTERCARE
Bamboo aftercare offers children a relaxed, home-like environment with opportunities for imaginative play, creative projects, cooperative games, outdoor time, and plenty of socializing with friends.
LOGISTICS
3- and 4-year-olds staying beyond the morning program enjoy lunch and recess with the Kindergartners. Afterward, 3-year-olds settle in for a nap, 4-year-olds have a quiet siesta, and Kindergartners continue with afternoon programming in their Kindergarten classroom. At 3:15 p.m., all three ages come together in the Bamboo room for aftercare.
Families may choose aftercare two to five days per week, with rates prorated accordingly; Early Arrival is offered as a five-day option only.
EARLY ARRIVAL
Early Arrival is available beginning at 7:30 a.m., and aftercare is available for Lower and Upper Elementary students until 6 p.m.
AFTERCARE
Explorers aftercare gives Elementary children a relaxed place to land after school, with opportunities for seasonal cooking and craft projects, open gym and outdoor play, board games, art projects, and time with friends. With the freedom to move between Explorers spaces and follow their own interests, children dream up projects of their own, start clubs and make signs to promote them, or team up with friends to solve everyday problems.
LOGISTICS
Most afternoons start on the playground or in the gym, and snacks are provided. Children also have the option of joining Explorers after other after-school programming ends, generally around 4:30 p.m.
Families may choose aftercare two to five days per week, with rates prorated accordingly; Early Arrival is offered as a five-day option only.
EARLY ARRIVAL
Early Arrival is available beginning at 7:30 a.m., and aftercare is available for Middle School students until 6 p.m.
AFTERCARE
Middle School Explorers provides older students time and space for academic work, independent activities, and unstructured time with friends.
LOGISTICS
Students may also participate in homework lab, after-school programs, and athletics offered for their age group before joining Explorers for the remainder of the afternoon.
Families may choose aftercare two to five days per week, with rates prorated accordingly; Early Arrival is offered as a five-day option only.
After-School Programs (ASPs) give children in Kindergarten through 8th grade even more ways to follow their interests, discover new ones, and spend time doing something they love. Led by RPMS faculty and outside instructors, ASPs might have children putting on a theatrical production, honing their chess strategies, building with their hands, or practicing their martial arts skills. Offerings change throughout the year, giving children opportunities to try something new each session.
Offerings vary by season and age and may include:
Financial assistance is available to help make ASPs accessible to all interested students.
Root for the home team! RPMS Rapids athletics gives students opportunities to compete, build skills, strengthen friendships, and experience the pride of representing their school. Our teams compete against other independent and public schools throughout Chicago, with RPMS faculty, staff, and parent volunteers serving as coaches.
Nearly 70% of Upper Elementary and Middle School students participate in at least one sport, with many competing across multiple seasons.
Competitive athletics begin in third grade for select sports, with additional opportunities beginning in Upper Elementary.
Offerings include:
Competition and sportsmanship go hand in hand at RPMS. As our Athletic Director likes to say, we want our students to be “fun to play with and fun to play against.”
Team sports require separate registration and fees—financial assistance is available to help make athletics accessible to all interested students.
Ask any elementary student at RPMS what sportsmanship means, and they can confidently answer, “Be fun to play with. Be fun to play against.”
—NICK LEPINE, ATHLETICS DIRECTOR
Summer at RPMS means more time to play, explore, create, and connect with friends. With flexible options for children from Toddler through Middle School, our camps offer age-appropriate experiences designed to make the most of summer days.
(AGES 2-5)
(RISING 1ST–5TH GRADERS)
(RISING 1ST–7TH GRADERS)
A: Aftercare may be selected for two, three, four, or five days per week, with fees prorated accordingly. Early Arrival is structured differently: Toddler families may choose a four- or five-day option, while Children’s House through Middle School enroll for all five days.
A: Aftercare provides dependable coverage and a relaxed place for children to land at the end of the day. After-School Programs are focused, session-based offerings such as chess, theatre, woodworking, or Taekwondo. Elementary and Middle School students may join Explorers after another program or team practice ends, so families don’t necessarily have to choose one or the other.
A: Before- and after-school care, After-School Programs, competitive athletics, and summer camps require separate registration and fees. Financial assistance is available for After-School Programs and team sports so that cost does not prevent an interested student from participating.
Where children learn to follow their own lead — right here in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood.
Information about joining the RPMS community, including admissions, tuition, and financial aid.
Each stage of our Montessori journey builds confidence, independence, and a lifelong love of learning.
Our shared values guide us to peace within self, relationships, school, community, and the greater world.