Curriculum

Our Classes

Our two classrooms (for three- to six-year olds) are vibrant places where children interact freely, choosing materials from a rich environment. We expose the children to a wide range of intellectual, social and physical activities and, unlike other more traditionally structured schools, give them long blocks of uninterrupted time to work through each one to their satisfaction. Children enjoy being productive. Visitors often remark on how much fun the children have as they focus their attention on an interest, seek explanations, and work independently or with classmates to solve problems. Our students quickly discover the joy of learning.

How does all this happen? Our teachers see themselves more as a link between each child and carefully prepared activities than as someone who explains or corrects. From the child's point of view our classroom is full of exciting things to do. Yet there's a method. The Practical Life materials enable children to learn how to care for themselves and their environment. The Sensorial materials develop children's perceptual and sensory abilities and refine their observation skills. Language materials and activities stimulate speaking, listening, reading, and writing. The Math curriculum is concrete. Bead by bead children develop a solid sense of how numbers work. Open-ended materials such as sand, water, blocks and art media encourage exploration, self-expression, and play. Other curricula areas are science, music, cultural geography, and physical education. Outdoor play in our recently renovated playground is an important part of our program.

In the Montessori classroom, older and younger children interact freely, and there are many benefits for all ages. It is also important for the older children to spend time apart from the younger ones. In the early afternoons, a small group of five and six year olds has an opportunity to work more closely with the teachers as they develop their reading skills and use more advanced math materials. They develop close friendships as they work together on projects in art, cooking, and science. They venture out into the community on field trips and look forward all year to the May graduation activities. In this close-knit environment, with a low child-teacher ratio, the children gain confidence. They feel and act like leaders when they return to the larger group. This year prepares children for first grade, and establishes a strong foundation for all future schooling.

What Happens After Kindergarten at University Montessori

We believe it is our responsibility to help children and parents make a smooth transition to their next school. The Director and teachers are available to all families to help them through the sometimes complex decision-making process. We want to help each family select the best possible school for their child.

Children leaving University Montessori attend a variety of public and private schools. They are very well prepared to continue learning in any educational setting. They feel confident and eager to continue a lifetime of fulfilling their potential as individuals and as responsible world citizens.

After School and Enrichment Program

The After School Program includes lunch, rest time, games, art, stories, theater, dress ups, ball play, tumbling, and computer exploration. Although the afternoon is deliberately less structured than the morning, our teachers are fully engaged. Their enthusiasm matches the children's. Thanks to the entire school community we recently completed a playground renovation project. Our new playground with its large sand box, four-seat swing set, climbing structures, cheerful play house, elaborate water table, and large patio for tricycles, hopscotch, and basketball keeps the children busy outside much of the afternoon.

Summer Camp

Many students come to our camps in the summers because they want to be with their friends and teachers. Our campers enjoy gardening, photography, natural history, cooking, woodworking, art, music, and dramatics. Water play, and outside time balance indoor activities. In the afternoons, when the younger children rest, the older children play chess, read books, and explore our latest computer software.