Enrichment at Alcuin Montessori
Instruction and culture at Alcuin are rooted in the Montessori philosophy, ensuring the developmental needs of students at all levels are met, as such, a well-rounded education is paramount. Apart from our Montessori curriculum, students at Alcuin receive a top-notch enrichment education founded in collaboration, creativity, and centered on the whole child. Our enrichment offerings include art, music, Spanish, and theater, as well as afterschool activities and summer camp. Learn more about our wonderful enrichment program!
Art
The Alcuin art program provides a learning environment that informs and sustains artistic inquiry. In addition to having the visual arts incorporated into the classroom at all age levels, fine arts classes are also offered for students from Extended Day through Middle School in an art studio environment. The curriculum fosters self-expression, engages the senses, and builds practical skills and fine motor development. The art room supports child-centered learning in a studio atmosphere where collaborative work, peer engagement, and independent investigation thrive. Exploring various media, including drawing, painting, clay/sculpture, printmaking, collage, sewing, and weaving, fosters experimentation and creative self-expression.
Music
The music program supports Alcuin’s philosophy by cultivating a collaborative environment, providing a mutually supportive space for creative self-expression, and connecting music education to the wider world. Alcuin music classes balance individual and small group studies with activities that engage the entire class as an ensemble. Through the use of manipulatives, a variety of percussive and melodic instruments, and their own voices, students explore the fundamentals of music making while experiencing the joy of music as a collective act. Core concepts such as timekeeping, dynamics, melody, and timbre are often introduced via class singing games and then reinforced as part of independent or collaborative projects. Students share instruments, materials, and knowledge and practice generating new musical ideas together. They are encouraged to consider their roles as members of a musical and social community, acting as both dynamic contributors and attentive listeners. Every other year, the Elementary children also write and perform an opera that is presented to the community. The music and theater program frequently collaborate throughout the year.
Physical Education
The Alcuin physical education program aims to create a learning environment that promotes movement exploration and fitness in the broader context of physical health. Activities generally fall into a few categories: movement challenges, calisthenics, cooperative games and competitive games. Movement challenges are designed to promote proprioception (awareness of the body as it moves through space). As students engage in these activities, they gain a greater level of self-awareness in a fun and supportive atmosphere. Cooperative games are used as a way to experience the social and community-building aspects of physical wellness. Activities are followed by class discussion. Children have the opportunity to discuss teamwork, communication, and sportsmanship. Cooperative games are used in all levels. Competitive activities and games provide an environment to begin exploring sportsmanship within a more challenging context. Junior Elementary students go to for a weekly for swim while Junior, Senior and Middle School students also receive gym twice a week.
Spanish
Learning Spanish empowers students to thrive in a world that is growing increasingly interdependent and interconnected as multilingual citizens. The Alcuin curriculum is designed to help students achieve proficiency while also embracing their role as global citizens. This is attained through thoughtful themes within cultural projects, lessons, and activities that motivate and challenge students to work collaboratively. Because the children learn most easily and effectively when having fun, the curriculum is filled with interactive games, music, art, creativity, and celebrations. There is also room for self-directed research in topics of interest for the eldest students. The beauty in Montessori is that each grade level builds upon the knowledge gained in previous years. In this way, the Spanish program supports Alcuin’s philosophy of creating an environment where children can grow in confidence, cultural awareness, respect, and become compassionate citizens. The Primary and Elementary students receive daily Spanish language experiences and lessons, while the Middle School receive Spanish four times a week.
Theater
The theater program supports Alcuin’s philosophy by providing a collaborative classroom environment, cross-curricular educational experiences, and projects to foster confidence and self-expression, contributing to the rich and holistic education of each child. Alcuin theater classes emphasize ensemble-based projects and collaboration among peers, not only fostering practical skills but also supporting Alcuin’s value of meaningful participation in one’s community. Group work cultivates skills in listening, expressing one’s own ideas, and finding common ground. By developing these skills, students learn to work peacefully as part of a team. Collaborative projects also allow each student to lead, often encouraging students to take on roles for which they might not typically self-select. These situations encourage students to recognize and celebrate a variety of strengths, both within themselves and within their peers.
Art
The Alcuin art program provides a learning environment that informs and sustains artistic inquiry. In addition to having the visual arts incorporated into the classroom at all age levels, fine arts classes are also offered for students from Extended Day through Middle School in an art studio environment. The curriculum fosters self-expression, engages the senses, and builds practical skills and fine motor development. The art room supports child-centered learning in a studio atmosphere where collaborative work, peer engagement, and independent investigation thrive. Exploring various media, including drawing, painting, clay/sculpture, printmaking, collage, sewing, and weaving, fosters experimentation and creative self-expression.
Music
The music program supports Alcuin’s philosophy by cultivating a collaborative environment, providing a mutually supportive space for creative self-expression, and connecting music education to the wider world. Alcuin music classes balance individual and small group studies with activities that engage the entire class as an ensemble. Through the use of manipulatives, a variety of percussive and melodic instruments, and their own voices, students explore the fundamentals of music making while experiencing the joy of music as a collective act. Core concepts such as timekeeping, dynamics, melody, and timbre are often introduced via class singing games and then reinforced as part of independent or collaborative projects. Students share instruments, materials, and knowledge and practice generating new musical ideas together. They are encouraged to consider their roles as members of a musical and social community, acting as both dynamic contributors and attentive listeners. Every other year, the Elementary children also write and perform an opera that is presented to the community. The music and theater program frequently collaborate throughout the year.
Physical Education
The Alcuin physical education program aims to create a learning environment that promotes movement exploration and fitness in the broader context of physical health. Activities generally fall into a few categories: movement challenges, calisthenics, cooperative games and competitive games. Movement challenges are designed to promote proprioception (awareness of the body as it moves through space). As students engage in these activities, they gain a greater level of self-awareness in a fun and supportive atmosphere. Cooperative games are used as a way to experience the social and community-building aspects of physical wellness. Activities are followed by class discussion. Children have the opportunity to discuss teamwork, communication, and sportsmanship. Cooperative games are used in all levels. Competitive activities and games provide an environment to begin exploring sportsmanship within a more challenging context. Junior Elementary students go to for a weekly for swim while Junior, Senior and Middle School students also receive gym twice a week.
Spanish
Learning Spanish empowers students to thrive in a world that is growing increasingly interdependent and interconnected as multilingual citizens. The Alcuin curriculum is designed to help students achieve proficiency while also embracing their role as global citizens. This is attained through thoughtful themes within cultural projects, lessons, and activities that motivate and challenge students to work collaboratively. Because the children learn most easily and effectively when having fun, the curriculum is filled with interactive games, music, art, creativity, and celebrations. There is also room for self-directed research in topics of interest for the eldest students. The beauty in Montessori is that each grade level builds upon the knowledge gained in previous years. In this way, the Spanish program supports Alcuin’s philosophy of creating an environment where children can grow in confidence, cultural awareness, respect, and become compassionate citizens. The Primary and Elementary students receive daily Spanish language experiences and lessons, while the Middle School receive Spanish four times a week.
Theater
The theater program supports Alcuin’s philosophy by providing a collaborative classroom environment, cross-curricular educational experiences, and projects to foster confidence and self-expression, contributing to the rich and holistic education of each child. Alcuin theater classes emphasize ensemble-based projects and collaboration among peers, not only fostering practical skills but also supporting Alcuin’s value of meaningful participation in one’s community. Group work cultivates skills in listening, expressing one’s own ideas, and finding common ground. By developing these skills, students learn to work peacefully as part of a team. Collaborative projects also allow each student to lead, often encouraging students to take on roles for which they might not typically self-select. These situations encourage students to recognize and celebrate a variety of strengths, both within themselves and within their peers.
