General Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

Admission Policy

Students are admitted to our school without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, or ethnic origin.  Priority enrollment for the following school year is given to students who are currently enrolled.  Before a student is enrolled, a meeting with the administrator as well as a classroom observation by the parents is required.  If applying to the elementary level, a visit by your child is required; at that time he/she will be assessed by the school.  We prefer that your child visits for a whole day at the elementary program.   If your child is admitted as a new student to our program, she/he will be required to attend a Montessori academic camp during the summer.  New incoming primary students are encouraged to attend summer camp for easier transition into the fall program.  All students enter the Montessori Learning Center on a probationary basis.  Students entering the primary program must be toilet trained.

 

 

The Primary Program
Preschool Through Kindergarten

The Primary Program is for children aged two and a half to six.  Typically, each child has the same teacher for three or four years until they gain the age and maturity necessary to move on to an "elementary" class.  The "primary" classroom itself is divided into four areas:  "Practical Life", which focuses on care of self and the environment, social graces, and movement; "Sensorial", which focuses on exploring the textures, colors and materials of the classroom environments''; "Language", which focuses on learning to improve verbal skills as well as beginning to read and write; and "Mathematics", focusing on learning to count number systems, measurement and the beginning of arithmetic and even algebra.  Included in our classrooms are exercises on fine art, arts-and-crafts, music, geography, physiology, zoology, and botany.  Montessori students also tend gardens and exercise in the play areas.  Field trips and library excursions are scheduled throughout the year.  The "primary" classes prepare your child for a smooth and confident transition to the Montessori Elementary Program.

 

The Elementary Program
(First through Sixth)

Students proceed from our Primary program with confidence and a positive attitude towards school.  The elementary classes are divided into two groups:  Ages 6-9 are in the lower elementary, and ages 9 to 12 years are in the upper elementary.  The overlapping of ages allows greater flexibility for optimum placement.  They grow intellectually and personally.  There is an equal distribution of leadership opportunities and opportunities to communicate, and with the teacher's guidance, the students make their own choices in an open-ended curriculum.  The students strive continually to greater knowledge, self-discipline, initiative, persistence and concentration.  The Montessori course of study is an integrated, thematic approach that ties the separate disciplines of the curriculum together into studies of the physical universe, the world of nature, and the human experience.  This integrated curriculum covers Language Arts, Literature, Anthropology, Psychology, Computer Skills, History, Geography, Sociology, Economics, Civics, Mathematics, Physical and Biological Science, Nature Study, Everyday Living Skills and Observation Skills,  In addition, Art, Music, Foreign Language, and Physical Education as well as classes in Leadership and Problem Solving are included in our Elementary program.  Field trips, an annual overnight camping trip, trips for research and library visits are all integral parts of our curriculum.  Voluntary community services is also important at our school.  We teach our students to become educated citizens who know how to contribute to our world.

 

VISITORS WELCOME

Parents are very important to our program and are encouraged to become involved both in our Montessori parent education activities and in student learning activities.  Parents volunteers are needed to drive our elementary students on library or research outings.  Parent volunteers listen to early readers in our primary program and help out on field trips.  Please take an opportunity to visit our school and observe our classes first hand.  Observation appointments are best in the morning between 9:30 and 10:30, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.  We do not recommend bringing children on the first visit.  A later appointment for your child's visit will be arranged.  Contact the Primary Program at (831)455-1546 and the Elementary Program at (831)455-8060.