ACADEMICS
The Montessori Approach to Elementary Education
A Montessori elementary education is a student-led, self-paced approach to learning. Classroom teachers, also called "guides," support each child in their individual development and pacing. Lessons are often presented in small groups and based an individual readiness. It is a process based approach, emphasising the "why" as much as finding the correct answer.
Children will explore all traditional subject areas: mathematics, reading, writing, biology, geography, history, art, music, and PE. Classrooms are carefully prepared to inspire curiosity and spark the imagination. Children remain in the same classroom, and with the same teacher for several years, allowing relationships of trust to flourish. Mixed-age groups inspire leadership opportunities and the understanding that the child can be both a student and a teacher. Students are given room to make mistakes and to learn from real-world experiences.
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Simply put, Montessori is education for the development of the whole child: mind, body, and spirit.
Frequent Field Trips
The city is an extension of our campus! Dr. Montessori recognized the developmental need of the elementary child to connect with their community by "going-out" on student-led field trips. Thus, we strive to take our students out into the real world as much as possible. Our themed units are often the inspiration for our trips, but sometimes we also just follow the individual interests of the children. Older children are given opportunities to organize and plan some of these trips, while the younger children participate as they show readiness.
Offering a natural environment for developing 21st Century Skills
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Critical thinking
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Creativity
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Collaboration
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Communication
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Information literacy
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Media literacy
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Technology literacy
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Flexibility
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Leadership
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Initiative
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Productivity
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Social skills
Homework and Standardized Testing
Homework is rarely given to students, as we believe time spent at home should be time spent with family or pursuing personal interests. Homework will only be assigned after a discussion with parents, and only if a specific skill needs more direct attention and support at home.
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We believe that no academic test can show the true measure of a child's genius. However, we also understand the need to align ourselves with other schools for the purpose of standardization of academic transcripts. Thus, our students take the NWEA MAP Growth test three times a year to assess their academic progress compared to national standards. The results of this testing are used by the classroom teacher to further support each child and target any areas that may need special attention. The testing results are shared with parents at the end of the school year as part of the final progress report.