Our aim therefore, is not merely to make the child understand and still less to force him to memorize,

but so to touch his imagination as to enthuse him to his inner most core.

-Maria Montessori, To Educate the Human Potential

Little Ones Montessori provides fertile ground for the elementary child to exercise his unique capacity to reason and to use the power of his imagination to explore the cosmos and how it operates as an integrated whole. Intriguing materials are presented beginning globally and historically and working toward the local and present in such a way as to inspire the child to pursue the answers to the burning questions of his intellect. The teacher is an enlightened generalist who opens the doors to fields of study, igniting and then fanning the flame of interest.

The Elementary Environment honors the child’s Primary experience and builds upon it. The child interacts with peers, learns how society works as a whole, and includes the following areas of study:

Language including reading, written and oral communication, and word study, is the foundation for learning in all other areas. The child builds upon his sense of language gained from the Children’s House and his interests to pursue interpretive reading of literature and research, and creative and expository writing to explore all disciplines. Word study, grammar, sentence analysis, and spelling are based on cultural studies and usage, and the need for the child to express what he is learning through sharing with others.

 Mathematics is presented with concrete materials that simultaneously reveal number, operations, geometry, and algebraic correlations as the child moves at his individual rate toward abstraction. The child has ample time for experiencing, repeating, and internalizing the mental abstractions that higher mathematics requires. The emphasis is on making formulae and rules a point of arrival and discovery and practicing facts as a means, rather than the end point.

Cultural Areas are introduced through large-scale narratives that reveal the origins of the earth, life, human beings and modern history, always in the context of the wholeness of life. Time lines, charts, maps, research cards, and experiments aid the child in studying geology, geography, biology, zoology, botany, and anthropology with current, organized information while respecting his intelligence and interests. Emphasis is on open-ended research that is student-generated and teacher-guided. Children are encouraged to wonder, carry out research, experiment, develop knowledge, make observations, and to demonstrate skills through projects and presentations. This in-depth study uses primary and secondary sources as well as other reference materials, including technology.

Art, Music, and Physical Education are integrated into each day. Children study the need for artistic expression throughout history and are encouraged to express themselves. Formal art lessons are part of this work. Music is presented as a language, using a combination of approaches that include composition, analysis, and performance. Drama and movement, as well as skill development in a variety of sports is also included in the curriculum. Guest specialists spark interest and a focus on the skills requisite for organized sports.

Going Out is an integral part of elementary education. Small or large groups make use of community resources to expand their understandings and explore their interests in the world beyond the classroom.

The Montessori Lower Elementary is designed to be three years in length in a multi-age, non-graded setting. Each child works at his/her own pace in this three year period to build intellectual independence and to practice and master the material with confidence.

The Elementary Class meets five days a week, Monday through Friday.

Children attend Lower Elementary, 8:00 a.m. - 2:45 p.m. for two complete work cycles each day.

There is one certified master teacher currently in AMI Elementary Training teaching in the Elementary Classroom.

For Tuition and Admission information, go the Admissions page.

The primary child is introduced to all aspects of the world in a classroom that is organized into distinct areas where the  child works freely with different materials at different levels throughout the day:

· Practical Life – Learning to care for self,  the environment, and to act with grace and courtesy toward others.

· Sensorial – Discovering the world through the senses with materials to help the child isolate and experience qualities, like color, temperature, or geometric shapes.

· Language – Speaking and listening, then writing and reading, first phonetically, gradually moving toward convention. The child learns cursive as is natural for his/her own hand and is consistent with Association Montessori Internationale's training.

· Mathematics – Manipulating quantities from concrete to abstract and working with number from value to the decimal system and number operations.

· Cultural Studies – Experiencing History, Geography, Biology, Botany, Music, Art, and Physics in an integrated and concrete fashion allows the child to connect their learning to all other areas.

Children range in age in this multiage setting from 3 years to 6 years of age and they work side-by-side at their appropriate level. The environment serves the child for three years to allow the child to reach their full potential. The younger children yearn to do what they see the older children learning. The older children take on the responsibility of respecting the younger children and modeling what they have learned for them.

The Montessori Primary Program is designed to be three years in length. It is in this three year period that the child has the optimum opportunity to build him/ herself and to practice and master the material with confidence.

The Primary Class meets five days a week, Monday through Friday.

Children may attend Half Day Primary, 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. or Full Day Primary, 8:30 a.m. -2:45 p.m. Children who are in their last Primary year must enroll for the full day session and attend regularly.

There is one AMI trained Directress and one certified assistant in the Primary Classroom.

For Tuition and Admission information, go the Admissions page.

*Ages are approximate as placement depends on the child's development as a whole human being.

We also offer a VPK Wrap Around from 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. daily.

Attendance is required for VPK and it is intended to prepare children for entering the public sector kindergarten. Tuition is paid by the State. There are limited spots available, so call now to register -  386.843.2210.

For Wrap-Around Tuition Fees and Admission information, go the Admissions page.

· Language – The Toddler program accommodates the sensitive period for language acquisition by offering creative methods to expand the vocabulary by means of joining conversations, listening to stories, classifying and naming objects, matching objects and cards and learning songs and poems.

· Creative Activities – The child can choose to glue, sew, paint, hammer or cut.  Precise presentations are given with scaled down equipment.  Activities are set up to ensure the child has a positive experience and give her the message that she is capable of doing things by herself!

· Concrete Activities – Montessori said the hands are the tools of the mind. Hence many realistic and concrete experiences are provided for the child to engage in.

· Practical Life – Activities the child has seen adults do, the child is now encouraged to try out by himself.  These activities help refine gross and fine motor skills, assist in building up concentration, and aid in becoming independent.

· Motor – Every activity the child does is designed to help the development of motor movement, gross or fine, into a well coordinated body.

The Toddler Community meets five mornings a week, Monday through Friday. Two and three morning schedules are available for one month only, to allow the child a smooth transition from home to the Montessori environment.

Children attend Half Day, 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Other times and or flexible days may be added based on availablity and interest. Please contact us for more details.

There is one certified teacher and one assistant in the Toddler Community to maintain a ratio of 1: 6.

For Tuition and Admission information, go the Admissions page.

    *Ages are approximate as placement depends on the child's development as a whole human being.