Primary (Ages 3 to 5)
A three-year-old educated according to Montessori pedagogy, becomes master of his hand and undertakes with joy a variety of human activities. These activities allow him to develop the power of concentration.” - Dr. Maria Montessori
In our Primary classrooms, we serve children in mixed-age environments (ages 3-6) that reflect the essence of Montessori philosophy, and meets five days a week from 8:30-11:30 a.m. with options for before and after school care. The children are ready for a larger group as they develop social skills, language, motor coordination, and perceptual skills. The mixed-age classroom provides social interaction opportunities for the differing maturity and interest levels.
Following Dr. Maria Montessori’s vision of education as “an aid to life,” we prepare environments that honor the child’s natural drive to learn through purposeful activity. Children engage in self-directed work within carefully prepared environments. This balance of freedom and structure is central to Montessori: children choose their work, but within limits that guide them toward growth across all domains cognitive, social, emotional, and physical. Long, uninterrupted work cycles allow them to enter states of deep concentration and “flow.” Montessori referred to this process as normalization, the moment when independence, concentration, and purposeful work emerge. Within this framework, children use their absorbent minds to construct themselves through activity, gradually internalizing order and meaning. Every shelf, routine, and material is a silent invitation. The children don’t need us to tell them what to do; they sense it because the environment is prepared to meet their needs.
The Primary child refines the language, motor, and perceptual skills absorbed in earlier development. Their experiences are guided by a multi-sensory approach in language, mathematics, geography, art, science and music. The child refines motor skills, discovers reading through phonics, encounters mathematical concepts through concrete materials, and explores geographical relationships and scientific information through manipulating sensorial objects and real-life materials. Children receive Spanish experiences and lessons. The program includes preparation for reading, writing, math, natural and physical science exploration through the use of Montessori materials.
Music and art are integrated into the daily life of our classrooms. From dancing and singing songs, rhymes, and poems to studying musicians and composers, music from around the world nurtures the spirits of students and staff. We welcome family and local community members with musical and artistic abilities to enrich our programs.
Children typically enter the class at three years old and remain with the group for the full three-year cycle until they are ready for our Elementary program. Children in their last year of Primary (the traditional kindergarten year) attend the Extended Day program. Our All-Year Montessori program (AYM) is the same program and curriculum as our Primary program, but with a build-in year-round, full-time component.
The respect for every child who enters our classrooms and the trust in their Montessori Primary cycle sets us apart. We guide each child and their family as a unique community member while recognizing the person they are today and setting the foundation for the person they will become in the future.
Learn more about the admission process at Alcuin Montessori School...
Following Dr. Maria Montessori’s vision of education as “an aid to life,” we prepare environments that honor the child’s natural drive to learn through purposeful activity. Children engage in self-directed work within carefully prepared environments. This balance of freedom and structure is central to Montessori: children choose their work, but within limits that guide them toward growth across all domains cognitive, social, emotional, and physical. Long, uninterrupted work cycles allow them to enter states of deep concentration and “flow.” Montessori referred to this process as normalization, the moment when independence, concentration, and purposeful work emerge. Within this framework, children use their absorbent minds to construct themselves through activity, gradually internalizing order and meaning. Every shelf, routine, and material is a silent invitation. The children don’t need us to tell them what to do; they sense it because the environment is prepared to meet their needs.
The Primary child refines the language, motor, and perceptual skills absorbed in earlier development. Their experiences are guided by a multi-sensory approach in language, mathematics, geography, art, science and music. The child refines motor skills, discovers reading through phonics, encounters mathematical concepts through concrete materials, and explores geographical relationships and scientific information through manipulating sensorial objects and real-life materials. Children receive Spanish experiences and lessons. The program includes preparation for reading, writing, math, natural and physical science exploration through the use of Montessori materials.
Music and art are integrated into the daily life of our classrooms. From dancing and singing songs, rhymes, and poems to studying musicians and composers, music from around the world nurtures the spirits of students and staff. We welcome family and local community members with musical and artistic abilities to enrich our programs.
Children typically enter the class at three years old and remain with the group for the full three-year cycle until they are ready for our Elementary program. Children in their last year of Primary (the traditional kindergarten year) attend the Extended Day program. Our All-Year Montessori program (AYM) is the same program and curriculum as our Primary program, but with a build-in year-round, full-time component.
The respect for every child who enters our classrooms and the trust in their Montessori Primary cycle sets us apart. We guide each child and their family as a unique community member while recognizing the person they are today and setting the foundation for the person they will become in the future.
Learn more about the admission process at Alcuin Montessori School...
