Primary
3 – 6 years
The Primary program is truly a gift to every child. Designed for children between the ages of 3 to 6 years, it is an opportunity to nurture individual development within the context of a group setting. The result? Self-confidence, joy, and a lifelong love for learning.
It’s a Mixed Age Classroom
Because the curriculum is customized for each student, your child can work at an individualized pace while participating in a mixed-age classroom community. Your younger child learns by observing the behavior and activities of the older children. Your older child gains self-confidence, leadership skills, and responsibility by setting an example for younger friends.
The Gift of Choice
Children are be introduced to a broad range of concepts and activities in individual and small group lessons. The real learning, however, occurs through independent activity by choosing to explore it, repeat it, and perfect it.
Child-Centered (Not Teacher-Centered)
Unlike conventional classrooms, where all children are expected to pay close attention to the teacher, our program does the opposite – the teacher is trained to closely observe children's interest, tendencies, and needs. You won’t see the teacher standing at the front of the classroom at a chalkboard, but rather down at your child’s level, engaged with individuals or a small group.
A Deep Connection Between Teacher and Child
Our certified teachers choose this career because of their love for children and dedication to Montessori. Their depth of training and knowledge is amplified by the joyful and deep relationship they develop with your child throughout the three-year journey together.
Beautiful Hands-On Materials Help Your Child Learn
The scientifically designed Montessori materials help the children learn through hands-on use and exploration. Through continued use of the materials, children develop a concrete understanding of abstract concepts, such as mathematics, providing a solid foundation for learning in the future.
Group Activities and Play
While most of the day is spent in self-directed work, there are also times for group activity and play. The teacher may gather a group for songs or to tell stories about a cultural, scientific, or historical theme of interest. Ample time is also given to run, dig, explore, and play with friends outdoors.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Instead of a top-down curriculum based upon age, the teacher is trained to respect the child’s unique potential so as to provide lessons best suited for precise moments of development. Your child will be challenged in a highly personalized way, not to a generic standard.
The Children’s House
The teacher works to perfect the environment – in it, your child works to perfect him or herself. Our teachers put tremendous care and attention to detail into the classroom with low shelves, beautiful artwork, books and cultural items of interest to pique your child’s interest and stimulate his senses. The children respond by developing a sense of classroom ownership and a drive to care for it, further deepening the bonds of the community and their quest to learn.
Essential Skills for a Successful Life
The Primary classroom is designed to help your child become their best self. Through “grace and courtesy” activities, we teach your child how to solve conflicts, how to act politely in social situations and how to be kind and helpful to friends.
Kindergarten Included
Montessori is a continuum of education that allows your child to build upon experiences each year. Your child will stay in the Primary classroom for three years plus depending on the birthday cutoff date, including the traditional “kindergarten year” – when the seeds of learning come to fruition. Reading and writing come to life from sounds and symbols. We introduce numbers and the decimal system, geometric figures, and the political countries of our world. Your child leaves the program with a strong set of academic skills; but, far more importantly, with the attitude that learning is fun, exciting, and boundless. At this point, it is time to move up to the
Lower Elementary program, which is designed for children from the ages of 6 to 12.