Primary

The Montessori Primary Classroom

The Primary classroom is developmentally responsive to their needs, and features the complete set of Montessori materials, which engage the student in exploring and understanding the world around them. The mixed-age environment provides the foundation for a collaborative community. Students choose lessons, both guided by a teacher and on their own, in the areas of practical life, sensory/motor work, math, language, reading, geography, science, music and art.

Growing Each Learner

Master teachers carefully observe the developmental needs of each student and present new lessons the moment a student is optimally ready for them. Each day, the class joins together for singing, movement, listening to stories, learning about their world and how to get along in it. Our Experiential Learning Program begins in Primary when even our youngest students participate in field studies through the year.

Kinder Year

KinderYear students attend a half-day program in a mixed-age group, plus a four-hour session with only 5-to-6 year olds designed to meet the intellectual, physical, and emotional needs of KinderYear students. When KinderYear students work with the younger students they are empowered to practice and develop strong leadership skills. During the KinderYear part of each day, they engage in advanced lessons in language, math and the cultural subjects, participate in group activities to build their knowledge and ability to communicate, and enjoy the social experience of bringing a lunch and eating with their friends by candlelight.

Students who are 5 years old by October 1 should be enrolled in our Kinder Year program, unless other arrangements have been made.

Kinder year curriculum

The KinderYear cultural curriculum is a masterful journey into the cultures of the past. The Needs of Humans through Time Curriculum introduces students to the ways in which different cultures have met humans’ needs for food, shelter, clothing, and transportation over a chronological time period. Students’ critical thinking skills are engaged as they thoughtfully consider how history impacts their daily lives.