Primary program
Primary
Walnut, Birch and Elm classrooms 3 to 6 yearsThe preschool and school-age years across three rooms: Walnut, Birch, and Elm. Lessons are individualized, and children work through subjects like math, language, science, history, and geography at their own pace.
- Age group
- 3 to 6 years
- Classrooms
- Walnut, Birch and Elm
- Lesson length
- Individualized
- Level
- Preschooler and School Age
Where reading and writing take root
The school day.
We offer extended hours for working families, therefore we open at 7:00 AM and close at 6:00 PM. Our Montessori Method starts at 8:30 AM and continues until 2:45 PM, with diversified arts, sports, languages, outdoor play, music, and computers taking the remainder of the day.
This balanced approach allows challenging the children as well as letting everything seem like play. The Montessori Method advocates self-discipline to care for the environment and others, self-directed learning, and developing a passion for learning.
Inside the Elm classroom.
What the Montessori program does.
In the Walnut, Birch, and Elm rooms, this looks like individualized lessons across math, language, science, history, and geography. Across every HMA room, the Montessori program:
A lifelong love of learning
Fosters a life-long love of learning.
Their own pace
Allows children to work at their own pace, free of pressure and competition.
The right learning styles
Optimizes learning by recognizing and utilizing appropriate learning styles.
Every way a child learns
Engages all the modalities: kinesthetic, visual, and auditory.
The whole child
Serves the development of the whole child: academic, social, emotional, and spiritual.
Grouped by stage
Classifies groups by stages of development, allowing multi-ages and ample social development.
Questions parents ask.
How can children learn if they are free to do whatever they want?
Dr. Montessori observed that children are more motivated to learn when working on something of their own choosing. A Montessori student may choose his focus of learning on any given day, but his decision is limited by the materials and activities in each area of the curriculum that his teacher has prepared and presented to him.
If children work at their own pace, do they fall behind?
Although students are free to work at their own pace, they are not going it alone. The Montessori teacher closely observes each child and provides materials and activities that advance his learning by building on skills and knowledge already gained. This gentle guidance helps him master the challenge at hand and protects him from moving on before he is ready, which is what actually causes children to fall behind.
Do Montessori teachers follow a curriculum?
Montessori schools teach the same basic skills as traditional schools, and offer a rigorous academic program. Most of the subject areas are familiar, such as math, science, history, geography, and language, but they are presented through an integrated approach that brings separate strands of the curriculum together.
Why do Montessori teachers not give grades?
Grades, like other external rewards, have little lasting effect on a child's efforts or achievements. The Montessori approach nurtures the motivation that comes from within, kindling the child's natural desire to learn.
Our staff.
Children's learning is our first and foremost goal, along with meeting and exceeding standards in safety, care, and having a positive environment for the teachers and staff. We believe happy teachers and strong administrative training lead to a well-balanced school.
Our lead teachers have been with us for years, some of them since 2005. They are Montessori trained and have strong educational backgrounds. They have been involved in the child care industry and know what it means to go beyond the expected Minimum Standards.
More programs
Come meet the Walnut, Birch and Elm rooms.
Choosing the best school for our children is one of the most important and lasting responsibilities we have. Visit the campus, meet a teacher, and see the rooms. We will be in touch to set up your tour.