Academics -- The Elementary Program (1st-5th grade)
THE FOUNDATION for our elementary class is established in the Primary levels. We offer a program that provides an environment specially designed for an older group of students. Placement preference is given to children coming from a Montessori Primary program or older Montessori transfer students. Students without a Montessori background may be considered for a trial entry at the age of 6. All acceptances in elementary are notified by invitation.
ELEMENTARY STUDENTS display new powers of abstraction, imagination, and reason. They also begin to manifest a whole new set of needs. From birth to age six, children are sensorial explorers, studying every aspect of their environment, language, and culture. After turning six, children become reasoning explorers, developing new powers of abstraction and imagination. They utilize and apply their knowledge to further discover and expand their world.
During the elementary age, it is still essential that the child carry out activity in order to integrate acting and thinking. These children are also in a natural period of social development. They acquire the life skills of empathy, fairness, and honesty more easily now than at any other time of life. The Elementary students learn from one another, from the Montessori materials, and from direct lessons with the teacher. Reading for understanding, effective writing, mathematical proficiency, creative problem-solving skills, and an appreciation for Science and Social Studies are all built into the three-year cycles. The Montessori methodology allows for the education of the whole person, helping elementary students to become responsible and self-motivated. It is gratifying to see our older students become “joyful scholars.”
THE MONTESSORI ELEMENTARY TEACHER stimulates the child’s natural appetite for learning by providing interesting hands-on materials and activities. The teacher guides the students as they acquire basic skills in an individualized and self-paced fashion, without undue pressure, boredom or discouragement. By encouraging students to pursue personal interests, the teacher stimulates an enthusiasm for learning. The elementary student wants to know everything about everything—the teacher uses this desire for answers to turn the challenges of reading, writing, math and science into satisfying endeavors.
