Richmond Friends School | Richmond, Indiana

“Teaching at RFS is wonderful in so many ways. I love the relationship I develop with each of my students. I love the freedom to delve into an interesting topic and explore it fully. Because there is no pressure from standardized testing, we can really focus on content. This lets students become engaged and invested in their education. I am grateful to be working in a place where students have the chance to love learning.”

Rachel Carpenter, 3rd-4th Grade Teacher

Curriculum

Sample Daily Schedule

Student Evaluation

Grade Level Learning Expectations 3rd Grade

Grade Level Learning Expectations 4th Grade

3rd and 4th Grade Supply List 2024-2025

Meet the teacher:

Rachel Carpenter (Third to Fourth Grades)

Rachel has a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Social Relations from Earlham College. She taught math at the Arthur Morgan School and 4th/5th grade at Rainbow Mountain Children’s School, both in western North Carolina. After her children were born she moved to Indiana and homeschooled them. When her youngest followed in her siblings’ footsteps and headed to the Arthur Morgan School, Rachel got her elementary teacher certification through the Transition to Teaching program at IU East. She also has Orton Gillingham tutor training through the Dyslexia Institute of Indiana. Rachel lives in Modoc with her husband, one cat, four chickens, and her three children when they make it home for a visit. She particularly enjoys teaching math and science.

"In addition to all the things that you consider as studies, RFS is teaching students what makes you a good person and a person that can operate in a complicated world. That is what it means to me when RFS says it educates the whole child.”

- Alex Eastman- RFS Alum

"I was worried about finances, but the head of school sat down with me and was understanding of my circumstances and worked with me to create a plan so Juniper could attend. I was excited that she would get to be at a school where she can be anything she wants to be and everyone will accept and love her."

- Sunshine Rankin and Juniper Dixon

"When we place nature at the center of our community, we come to realize the true abundance of the world we live in. This school puts these seeds of hope in its students; it changes how they move through the world, and it changes the communities they enter for the better.”

- Kian Eckert - RFS Alum

"Day to day, week to week, we have seen big jumps from Nico and Johanna. They feel excitement. They come home, and they want to share what they’ve done in class that day."

- The Casas-Sheets Family

“We needed an opportunity to give our daughter a healthy environment to grow, and RFS aligns with our values. Lucy has built a lot of confidence and friendships at school, and we love that she gets to interact with younger kids which wouldn't be possible in a traditional school setting.”

- The Burkhardt Family

"The teachers at RFS are able to give so much attention to individual students, so they don't get lost in the crowd of a large class. I love that Garret feels safe trying things that he may be initially uncomfortable or nervous about."

- The Kirk Family

"Before enrolling here, Tristan struggled with dyslexia, which caused him to fall behind in reading. Thanks to the kind teachers and kids at RFS, Tristan is now reading at grade level and is beginning to enjoy it. He loves coming to school in the morning!"