Primary Education (6-10 years) 

As in the pre-school, the Montessori materials in the primary classroom are a means to an end. They are intended to evoke the imagination, to aid abstraction, to generate a world-view about the human task and purpose. The child works within a philosophical system, asking questions about the origins of the universe, the nature of life, people and their differences, and so on. On a factual basis, interdisciplinary studies combine the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic with geological, biological and anthropological science in the study of natural history and world ecology.

Studies are integrated not only in terms of subject matter but in terms of moral learning as well, resulting in appreciation and respect for life, moral empathy and a fundamental belief in progress, the contribution of the individual, the universality of the human condition and the meaning of true justice. There is an emphasis on research and in-depth study using primary and secondary sources (no textbooks or worksheets) as well as other materials. This involves the children’s planning their own trips to ‘go out’ to make use of community resources beyond the four walls of the classroom.

Elementary children, typically, can be characterized by their questioning minds, their ability to abstract and imagine, their moral and social orientation and their unlimited energy for research and exploration. They move from the concrete through their own efforts and discovery to the abstract - thus greatly expanding their field of knowledge. In a research style of learning, elementary children work in small groups on a variety of projects, which spark the imagination and engage the intellect. Lessons given by a trained Montessori teacher direct the children toward activities, which help them to develop reasoning abilities and learn the arts of life.

Children, at this age, are driven to understand the universe and their place in it. Our Elementary Program nurtures a child’s natural capacity to assimilate all aspects of c ulture. Elementary studies include geography, biology, history, language, mathematics in all its branches, science, music and art.  Exploration of each area is encouraged through trips outside the classroom to community resources, such as the local library, planetarium, science center, hospital, etc. This inclusive approach to education fosters a feeling of connectedness to all humanity and encourages their natural desire to make contributions to the world.