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Montessori Elementary

Where successful learners are tomorrow's leaders

Why Elementary at Montessori Academy?

“We do not want complacent pupils, but eager ones.”
— Dr. Maria Montessori

Your child’s elementary education can be both academically rigorous and joyful. Montessori elementary curriculum fully engages students in learning by leveraging the natural sociability, curiosity, and drive to contribute to their communities of six to twelve-year-olds. The result is a learner motivated by interest, not rewards, with the skills and knowledge every child requires to flourish in life. Our elementary program is offered at our Eagle location.

Why families choose Montessori Academy Elementary

  • Individualized attention with low student-teacher ratios. With a 1:15 (Lower Elementary) or 1:15 (Upper Elementary) or better teacher-to-student ratio, our teachers are able to get to know each child well.
  • Outstanding foundational skills in language arts and math, developed with engaging, hands-on materials that progress from concrete to abstract, and enable children to learn joyfully and to truly understand (not just memorize!) and master skills.
  • Learning tailored to optimally challenge each child at his/her ability level. Montessori teachers rarely teach the whole class. Instead, they give lessons to small groups based on ability, readiness, and interest. This means that each child is constantly challenged at just the right level. A 2nd grader who is advanced in math may join a group of 3rd graders; if she struggles with reading, she may also join a group of 1st graders in literature circles. Because all instruction is individualized, and with a three-year age mix (1st – 3rd grade, and 4th – 6th are in one mixed-age community), children don’t compare themselves against others as much and instead focus on their own personal goals and development.
  • A rich curriculum beyond the literacy and math focus dictated by standardized testing. Montessori offers a rich curriculum in science, geography, cultural subjects, and history, with art and music integrated into the life of the classroom community, starting in the lower elementary years. Enrichment opportunities include field trips and child-led “Going Outs” for the older children.
  • Family and child-friendly schedules and limited homework. Our students have six instructional hours daily (three in the morning, and three in the afternoon). Lessons and practice happen at school, so homework can be limited without sacrificing academic progress.
  • A community of like-minded families. Parents find that within their Montessori community, they can connect with people who share similar parenting styles and value the investment of a great education for their children. Regular community events at school, frequent communications between teachers and parents, and an open door policy inviting parents to observe in class contribute to the community feel.
  • Joyful learning, motivated by interest, not rewards. Montessori children learn because they enjoy learning—because they delight in new knowledge, or love mastering new skills, or get motivated by seeing older children in the class do challenging work. We don’t do letter grades, which helps keep motivation where it needs to be, within the child. Just observe any Montessori elementary class, and you’ll see children engaged, and on task—without extrinsic incentives like grades or sticker charts that may work in the near term but that all too often lead to a “will this be on the test” attitude by middle school.
  • A continuation of authentic Montessori into the elementary years. Many parents whose children are graduating from a Montessori Primary program choose Montessori Academy to be able to continue seamlessly with what works for their child into the elementary years, instead of switching to traditional schooling. (Though students with no Montessori background are also welcome in our program!)

We invite you to learn more about our elementary program’s academic outcomes, individualized attention, and hands-on learning by scheduling a tour.