Elementary Program
An academic program for students 6 to 12 years old.
The Elementary program offers your child an unparalleled opportunity for growth in this new period of life. Your imaginative, social and creative child needs an environment with appropriate freedom and limitations, with an expansive curriculum to support their curiosity and prepare them for the challenges of the future.
Learning Without Limits
Your child will study both broadly and deeply, covering many subjects not attempted in conventional schools. Because there is not a rigid schedule or prescribed curriculum that the whole class must follow, your child can focus intensely on their self-chosen work, with minimal interruption. At the same time, they will collaborate with the teacher to ensure that their work is challenging and purposeful – and that basic standards are met. In that way, the teacher is in charge of the minimum scope of work – your child is in charge of the maximum.
The Teacher Is an “Enlightened Generalist”
To quote Bruce Lee: “A teacher is never a giver of ‘truth;’ he is a guide, a pointer to the truth that the student must discover for himself.” We couldn’t agree more. Our AMI/AMS credentialed Montessori teachers don’t have a specific area of expertise and we don’t have “specialist” teachers for subjects like art, P.E., or music. Instead, our teachers have a broad knowledge of all subject areas – more than enough to help your child discover interests in any area imaginable and challenge her to deepen the field of study through research.
Engagement Is Essential
Real learning occurs when children are engaged – not when the teacher makes a blanket assignment. Curiosity is championed in our Elementary, and your child is encouraged to explore concepts to a level of detail only limited by imagination.
Beyond the Classroom
We want the children to be comfortable navigating the world, not just our classroom. So, we have a few excellent books, but not everything there is to read about a topic. As a result, the children must ‘go out’ beyond the limits of the classroom to find the information or resources that they need. A ‘Going Out’ is a planned undertaking by a small group of children. They find a resource in the community, schedule the outing, arrange for their own transportation and supervision (by staff or parent volunteers), prepare themselves for the experience, and conduct themselves with dignity while out in public.
The Format Mirrors Your Child’s Developmental Needs
Your elementary-age child has a strong drive for social connection. They are starting to develop deeper friendships and a connection to the community around them. Why then, would we want them to learn in rows of desks, confined to a chair, while the teacher lectures the class as a group? Instead, we embrace your child’s natural need for social exploration by giving lessons in small groups and encouraging them to work with a variety of others on follow-up projects and research into subjects of intense interest.
Learning in Context for Deeper Understanding
Unlike in a conventional program with a separate time of the day for each subject, your child will gain a much deeper understanding of concepts by learning in context. The starting point for all courses of study is the “Great Lessons.” These impressionistic and scientific stories give your child the “big picture” of astronomy, earth science, geography, physics, biology, history, anthropology, cultural and social studies, language, math, music, and art. Meaningful learning happens when children understand the “why” as much as the “what” – and are inspired to learn even more on their own.
Developing Flexibility, Resilience, and Grit
We believe children learn to be adaptable by supporting them to solve their own problems, rather than solving problems for them. With the help of a supportive adult, your child can, most often, find the solution that is best for them.
Learning As Its Own Reward
We have high expectations for your child, and believe that rewards and punishments appeal to the lowest levels of their intellect. Given a sticker, they will do their best for a few minutes. Given experiences that help them to believe in themselves and their abilities, they will do their very best for a lifetime.
Prepared and Confident
The ultimate goal of the elementary program is to develop students’ abilities and self-confidence so that they are able to take charge of their own learning. Students who have gained an appreciation for the enormous scale and resources of the world through the elementary curriculum are ready to explore their place within that world.
Reviews
"The teachers are incredibly kind, compassionate, and intentional. It genuinely feels like they care for each child as if they were their own. Communication is always clear and consistent, and I always feel informed and supported as a parent.
This school has created a nurturing, respectful environment where children are seen, heard, and empowered, and for that, we’re so grateful."
Thank you!
— Lizeth Felix, LMFT
