Montessori Core Program
Authentic Montessori, Thoughtfully Modern
Pre‑Primary (2–3) and Primary (3–5) classrooms follow the five classic areas—Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Math, Cultural—in mixed‑age, carefully prepared environments that cultivate independence, concentration, and joy in learning.
Traditional Montessori, integrated with present‑day best practice
Children work through sequenced materials at their own pace during an extended, uninterrupted work cycle. Guides (teachers) present precise lessons, then step back so children can repeat, refine, and internalize skills. The environment itself teaches order, care, and responsibility.
- Mixed‑age communities encourage leadership and empathy.
- Hands‑on materials move from concrete to abstract understanding.
- Calm, beautiful spaces promote focus and intrinsic motivation.
We honor the core of Montessori while integrating gentle updates—language‑rich dialogue, early executive‑function supports, and thoughtful enrichment—so every child is ready for today’s world.
Safety, authenticity, and respect
All materials are authentic Montessori tools and age‑appropriate. Classrooms are arranged for purposeful movement, with child‑sized furnishings, open shelves, and carefully curated work choices that support independence.
- Low student‑to‑teacher ratios
- Daily outdoor time (weather permitting)
- Grace & Courtesy embedded in routines
Building independence & coordination
Early Practical Life builds care‑for‑self and care‑for‑environment (buttoning, pouring, plant care). Sensorial work refines sight, touch, hearing, and introduces classification. Language blossoms through phonetic games and rich vocabulary; Math begins with quantity and sequence; Cultural opens nature and community awareness.
From concrete mastery to abstraction
Children extend to multi‑step Practical Life, advanced Sensorial (grading, series), phonetic reading/writing, Math operations and place value, and rich Cultural studies (geography, science, history, arts). Leadership grows as older children model and mentor.
Five Core Areas
Each area progresses from concrete exploration to abstract understanding. Click to expand details.
Practical Life — Coordination,Concentration, Independence, Order
Activities include spooning, pouring, transfer work, food prep, dressing frames, sweeping, and care of plants/animals. Children practice sequencing, control of movement, and responsibility.
- Pre‑Primary: simple transfer, large‑muscle control, self‑care habits.
- Primary: multi‑step processes, grace & courtesy leadership, real contribution to the community.
Sensorial — refinement of the senses
Materials isolate qualities (size, shape, color, texture, temperature, sound, weight) to develop perception and classification, building the bridge to math and language.
- Pre‑Primary: simple matching and sorting.
- Primary: grading, seriating, and vocabulary for properties.
Language — spoken, written, and reading
Rich conversation, storytelling, sound games, sandpaper letters, movable alphabet, and early readers support phonemic awareness to fluent reading and expressive writing.
- Pre‑Primary: vocabulary expansion, phonetic awareness.
- Primary: encoding/decoding, function of words, handwriting.
Math — concrete to abstract numeracy
Number rods, spindle boxes, bead chains, golden beads and stamp game make numeration, quantity, and operations tangible, leading to place value and problem‑solving.
- Pre‑Primary: 0–10 quantities and numerals.
- Primary: operations (±×÷), place value, skip counting and patterns.
Cultural — geography, science, arts & history
Children explore continents, land/water forms, botany/zoology, simple experiments, timelines, songs and art from around the world to develop global perspective and curiosity.
- Pre‑Primary: nature study, community helpers.
- Primary: map work, classification, life cycles, early research.
A Day in Montessori
Morning features the uninterrupted Montessori work cycle (Primary: ~3 hours · Pre‑Primary: ~2 hours). Line Time closes the morning as a whole community practice of grace, control of movement, and joy. Afternoons include outdoor play, lunch in true Montessori fashion, enrichment, rest/quiet work, world language, and dismissal.
Detailed Daily Schedule
| Time | Experience | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 8:15 – 8:30 | Arrival & Preparation | Greet, hang belongings, choose first work |
| 8:30 – 11:15 | Uninterrupted Work Cycle (≈3 hrs) | Self‑guided work; individual/small‑group presentations as the directress observes readiness; rolling snack when ready |
| Line Time | Walk the line, silence game, songs & movement — whole community together | |
| 11:15 – 11:50 | Playground / Large Motor | Outdoor gross‑motor movement |
| 12:15 – 12:45 | Montessori Lunch | Place setting with plate, napkin, silverware, cup; buffet; practical life cleanup |
| 12:45 – 1:15 | Enrichment | Rotates weekly: Music · STEM/STEAM · Culinary · Movement |
| 1:15 – 2:30 | Rest / Quiet Work | Non‑nappers return to classroom for quiet works & community jobs |
| 2:30 – 2:55 | Afternoon Snack | Child‑prepared where appropriate |
| 2:55 – 3:10 | World Language | Daily Spanish or Polish practice |
| 3:10 – :30 | Closing & Dismissal | Reflect, prepare environment, goodbye ritual |
Detailed Daily Schedule
| Time | Experience | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 8:15 – 8:30 | Arrival & Preparation | Greet, hand‑washing, choose work |
| 8:45 – 10:30 | Work Cycle (≈2 hrs) | More together‑time for presentations & snack to prepare for Primary |
| Line Time (Community) | Walking on the line, silence, songs | |
| 10:30 – 11:15 | Playground& Large Motor | Outdoor movement |
| 11:15 – 11:30 | Lunch | Grace & courtesy; practical life routines |
| 11:30 – 12:00 | Toileting / Diapers | Respectful support and readiness cues |
| 12:00 – 2:30 | Nap / Rest | Calm environment; gradual wake‑up |
| 2:30 – 2:45 | PM Snack | Healthy snack; self‑service supported |
| 2:45 – 3:15 | Classroom Time | Short works, stories & songs before dismissal |
| 3:15 – :30 | Closing & Dismissal | Reflect, prepare environment, goodbye ritual |
Note: Pre‑Primary keeps a bit more together‑time for lessons and snack to build the habits that prepare children for Primary. AM Children dismissal 11:15-11:30AM
Readiness & Self‑Care
- Independence in dressing, toileting, and snack preparation
- Ability to choose, complete, and return work materials
- Emerging phonemic awareness and number sense (0–10)
- Grace & Courtesy language for collaboration and turn‑taking
Academic & Social Leadership
- Fluent sound–symbol connection; early reading and writing
- Concrete understanding of operations and place value
- Research habits through Cultural studies and projects
- Executive functions: planning, persistence, care of environment
Ongoing, child‑centered documentation
Guides observe daily and track progress across scope‑and‑sequence for each area. Conferences share strengths, next steps, and how families can extend learning at home.
Transparent communication
Classroom snapshots, in and out of school events as well as parent education keep families connected to their child’s growth. Parents receive updates during conferences, and Directresses are always available for conversations when needed. This approach respects the child’s independence and avoids daily reports that can interrupt the child’s space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Montessori right for my child?
Montessori supports a wide range of learners by matching lessons to readiness and offering freedom within limits. We encourage a tour to see the fit.
How are mixed ages managed?
Older children model and lead; younger children observe and aspire. Guides give small‑group lessons tailored to each child’s level.
What about kindergarten?
The third (kindergarten) year is a powerful leadership year in the Primary cycle, where previous concrete work becomes fluent abstraction.
How do you support transitions?
We offer gentle orientation, consistent routines, and communication with families to ensure a confident start.
Visit Our Classrooms
Schedule a tour to experience Montessori in action and meet our guides.
