Elementary
6 years – 12 years
“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.”– W.B. Yeats
Our elementary through adolescent Montessori curriculums align with and exceed Common Core Standards.
We are accredited by SAIS and Cognia , which assures this alignment.
Lower Elementary – 1st through 3rd grade
The lower elementary classroom is designed to meet the developmental and academic needs of children from 1st – 3rd grade. The curriculum encourages resourcefulness, initiative, and increased curiosity. As students expand their reading, writing, and math skills, they also nourish their imaginations through a hands-on, integrated curriculum. Our students actively participate in the educational process and work hard for the sheer joy of it.
The curriculum encompasses and expands on the following areas:
- Great Lessons,
- Science,
- Geography,
- Math,
- Geometry,
- Language, and
- Social/Emotional Development.
What are the Great Lessons?
The Great Lessons are the foundation upon which the elementary curriculum is built. Montessori teaches us that children from birth through age 6 are taking in the world, learning about everything around them, through their senses. Moving into their elementary years, the growing child now begins to utilize their imagination. The imagination is formed using all of the sensorial impressions taken in during the first 6 years of life.
The Great Lessons expound upon this, using the power of the imagination and storytelling to ignite a passion for learning. How big is the universe? What makes up our solar system? Where did language come from? Why do we have math? All of these things are answered through the telling of the Five Great Lessons, and then the children move forward in the curriculum, practicing these concepts and applying them to life.
Upper Elementary – 4th through 6th grade
The upper elementary classroom is designed to meet the developmental and academic needs of students from 4th-6th grade. The children learn to challenge themselves beyond what is traditionally taught at a certain age. Students continue their journeys through the study of history, complex algebra and geometry, science, and geography. The focus is on developing the foundation for lifetime learning while emphasizing independent research.
The curriculum encompasses and expands on the following areas:
- Mathematics,
- Geometry,
- Science, with special concentration in Biology,
- History,
- Language,
- Social/Emotional Development, and
- Executive Functioning Skills.
What are Executive Functioning Skills?
We all need them. Executive Functioning Skills are the skills that get us through everyday life as adults. Traditional education tends to do little to guide students toward honing these necessary skills. Montessori education is different, though. Our teachers and curriculum guide children to develop the skills of taking initiative, making appropriate work choices for themselves, sustaining focus while working, persisting and following through to see their work to completion, and successfully transitioning between activities.
Want to learn more about our particular programs? Visit our admission page to book a group tour.
Montessori Elementary Classroom Experience (amshq.org)
Why Keeping Your Child in Montessori School Matters (amshq.org)
