Our Programs
Primary
The primary curriculum is designed for children ages 3-6 years old with the understanding that children learn best through real-life activities that support independence, concrete experiences that engage the senses, and open-ended exploration. This leads to the refinement of their movements, sensory perceptions, language and intellect development. Children thrive through opportunities to follow their own interests and freely choose their own scaffolded activities. Through guided exploration they develop independence, concentration and curiosity.
​
Montessori materials for the primary age are designed to support self-directed discovery and learning. They are organized around Practical Life activities that develop both independence and concentration; Sensorial activities that refine and develop the child’s senses; the development of Spoken Language, Writing and Reading skills; and Mathematical activities that develop fundamental mathematical concepts; and Cultural activities that include geography, history, biology, science, music, and the arts.
​
Timing and Preparation
Some characteristics teachers notice in a child as they approach readiness for the Primary environment are:
-
the child’s ability to verbally articulate their needs,
-
the child’s independence with self-care activities such as hand-washing, dressing, undressing, and the toilet learning process,
-
the child’s ability to follow simple instructions, concentrate on a task through completion, restore work to the shelf when finished, and a child’s tendency to repeat activities again and again in concentrated cycles of activity,
-
the child's ability to respect others, take turns, and cooperate.
You can also help your child get ready for the Primary community by focusing on improving independence, social maturity, and concentration. These activities (and many others) can help:
-
Engage your child in conversations at home. Speak to them like you would an adult; no baby talk.
-
Expect and encourage your child to use words, especially around their feelings and needs. Gradually transition them to using phrases and sentences.
-
Support socialization. Create opportunities for them to have unstructured, child-directed playtime with other children and moving from "parallel play" into more collaboration and cooperation with others.
-
Support concentration. Provide them with activities that require them to complete multiple steps. Create unstructured individual playtime where they can self-direct as well as engage uninterrupted for long stretches.
-
Provide tools for independence at home (e.g. a step stool, a cup and pitcher, a small broom, low shelves for kitchen items, a clothes dresser). Give them enough time to complete these tasks independently. Do not rush them.
-
Support self-awareness of body cues and independent toileting. With this one, practice makes perfect. Stay positive. A few accidents are bound to happen!
-
Choose clothes and food the child can independently manage. Example: No shoes with shoelaces.
School Hours
Half Day: 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Full Day: 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Extended Day Program
Before Care: 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
After Care: 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
ElementaryÂ
Elementary curriculum uses "The Great Stories" as a springboard for interdisciplinary learning.There are five Great Lessons that are introduced: The Coming of the Universe, The Timeline of Life, The Timeline of Humans, The Story of Math, and The Story of Language. In this way, children learn about their place in the universe.
​
Each of these lessons initiates curiosity or interests connected to other academic areas. These stories spark the imagination of Elementary students and give them a context for deeper engagement and learning.
Instead of approaching schoolwork as discrete subjects, Montessori Elementary students discover the interrelationship between subject areas and understand how math, language, science and history are connected and important for understanding and learning.
​
Parentally placed private school student with a disability does not have an individual right to
receive some or all of the special education and related services that the student would receive
if enrolled in a public school under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as
amended.
School Hours
Full Day: 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Extended Day Program
Before Care: 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
After Care: 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
The child who has felt a strong love for his surroundings and for all living creatures, who has discovered joy and enthusiasm in work, gives us reason to hope that humanity can develop in a new direction.
Â
- Dr. Maria Montessori