Program Description

The learning principles of Italian physician and educator Maria Montessori emphasize the development of the whole child in a specially designed environment. Montessori-trained teachers model for the students the ground rules for the class, sparking each child's interest and imaginations to begin the learning process.

The child is the pivotal point in the Montessori classroom, learning independently and working at his or her own pace.

Children use Montessori materials designed to be self-corrective so that children may work with them independently. Many parent-made and teacher-made materials are also used. The materials encourage active, concrete learning on the part of the students and lead to higher levels of abstract thinking.

Montessori classes are multiage grouped. Student is preschool and kindergarten are grouped together as are students in grades 1 through 3 and 4 through 6, creating environments that are identified by age rather than grades (3-6 classes, 6-9 classes and 9-12 classes). This grouping recognizes that children develop socially and intellectually at quite different roles and that children at the same developmental level are as important to learning as the children at the same chronological age. Based on Montessori's observation of the family unit, younger children and older children learn from each other.

Three to Six year olds

Six to Nine year olds

Nine to Twelve year olds

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