Darien Public Schools - Royle School

Royle School

Royle School serves about 430 students from kindergarten through fifth grade. The school's colors are blue and white. Its mascot, Sir Learn-a-Lot, is a suit of armor that stands at the main entrance of the school on Mansfield Avenue. Professional hockey player Hugh Jessiman (b. 1984), attended the school, as well as Ox Ridge School.

When the Royle School was in a building on the Post Road (where the town hall was later located and where senior housing is now), movies would be shown until the town movie theater was built in the 1920s (admission was 25 cents).

The school has held an annual "Royle Wrap Up" fundraiser for 17 years as of 2003. Students sell wrapping paper, candles and gifts in their neighborhoods for the fundraising drive, which accounts for 70 percent of the school Parent Teacher Organization's annual budget. The school enrichment program, funded by the PTO, brings in authors and drama companies to the school and includes an annual class field trip.

The school has held an annual "Back to School Family Picnic" in September. In 2003, the picnic attracted 800 students and their families, Competitions were run by class with prizes for boys and girls, making all participants winners. A sack race, "balloon pop race", a water-balloon tossing contest, a tug of war with about 70 parents participating, and the launching of 20 silver balloons (one for each classroom) with postcards attached.

The school Parent Teacher Organization donated $6,000 to the school in 2006 to pay for fans to be installed in the common room and cafeteria. In 2007, the school received a $45,000 donation for new playground equipment from the PTO. The money replaced old equipment, some of which had been made in 1948. Two pieces had already been removed for safety reasons.