Elementary Program

Children are no longer so egocentric at this age; they want to know about everything in the world around them. The necessity for physical order in the pre-school and kindergarten classroom is replaced by the need for mental order. The child is moving increasingly away from concrete to more abstract ideas. They want to know more than the names and components of things; they yearn to understand how and why.

In the Elementary Program, advanced Montessori materials are employed to lead the children to develop abstract thought, critical thinking, and an understanding of their place in society. Skills in mathematics, language, cultural/social studies, and science,  as well as fine arts, music, French and physical education, are reinforced on a daily to weekly basis.

The teachers base the curriculum on a deep respect for the child’s ability to grasp great wisdom while understanding the individual developmental needs of each child. The purpose is to help children discover a sense of wonder and develop the higher order thinking skills to be thoughtful, critical and creative individuals. The focus is on learning through hands-on discovery to make the work meaningful, rather than emphasizing direct instruction or rote memorization.

The curriculum is integrated to reflect the interconnections of knowledge and life. The classrooms are designed to develop habits of inquiry, work, and wonder to foster a life-long love of learning.