NEW School Hours starting Fall 2010

8:30 to 12:00, 8:30 to 2:45 and 8:30 to 6 pm

Flexible after care options from 2:45 to 6 pm

NEW Expanded Summer Camp Program starting June 14, 2010

  • Now offering TEN weeks of camp with various hourly schedules available.
  • Expanded age ranges - now offering camp programs for students ages 3 to 9 years old.

Registration: Visit http://greatkidscamps.net/mcs/ for more information and to register your child for camp.

Programs Offered

MCS offers Montessori preschool and kindergarten education for children aged 2 1/2 through 6 years.  Most programs are five-day but two and three-day programs are now available in our Young Preschool Program.  Children under age 3-years are eligible for our Young Preschool Class.  Children who will turn three-years old by September 30th are eligible for either the Young Preschool or Mixed-Age Programs

Young Preschool: (2 1/2 to 4): 8:30 a.m to noon with Extended Day available until 2:45 p.m.

Mixed-age classes (3 through 6):

Acceptance into the Kindergarten program is based on several factors, including age and readiness of the child for the curriculum offered during the afternoon portion of the day.

All children must be at least 2 1/2 years-old and "potty-trained" before attending school at MCS..

Overview

In a Montessori classroom, children of different ages are all in the same class because of the fundamental Montessori tenet that children benefit from having the opportunity to interact with those younger and older than themselves and the belief that children benefit from continuing a relationship with one teacher over several years.  Our Montessori classrooms utilize attractive and carefully made materials, which enable each child to work at his/her own pace.

Each area of the classroom (Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Mathematics and Culture) is comprised of neatly presented, ordered, hands-on materials, which appeal to all aspects of the young child's life.  Many of these materials are designed to be self-correcting. Once a teacher provides a lesson, children do independent work with teacher supervision or redirection as needed.  Through the teacher's careful observation and attention, each child is encouraged to move on to more challenging tasks.

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Young Preschool

MCS offers one class for our youngest students, ages 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 years-old.   Weekly schedules include two, three, and five day options. These children benefit from an early introduction to Montessori before entering the 5-Day Mixed-Age classroom. This class provides learning opportunities in all areas of Montessori learning — Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Mathematics, and Culture.

Student to Teacher ratios are 8 to 1 in this younger program which is run by two teachers and includes a maximum of 16 students.  The daily schedule for this program includes circle time, snack time, work time, and a 30-minute playground time.  Students also receive 30 minutes of music enrichment class per week.

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Five-Day Mixed-Age Classes

MCS offers three additional classes for students 3 through 6 years old.  Children enrolling in this program are ready to attend school 5 days per week. Kindergarten students are included in each of these classes and serve as outstanding role models for their younger peers.

The daily schedule for class includes circle time, snack time, work time, and a 30 minute playground time. In addition, the mixed-age classes enjoy Music class twice a week and French class once a week.  Student to Teacher ratios are a maximum of 14 to 1 with each class staffed by one experienced Montessori Certified Teacher and one very quaiified Assistant.

Kindergarten

Our children participating in the Kindergarten program attend one of our three Mixed-Age classes from 8:30 a.m. until 2:45 p.m., 2 3/4 hours longer than their younger classmates.  This schedule provides a BEAUTIFUL  BALANCE between larger class experiences in the morning followed by small group time in the afternoon.  These afternoon hours allow our Kindergarten students the time to delve further into their work, in a small group setting, with even more individualized attention from their teacher.

The afternnoon schedule includes lunchtime as well as additional individual and small group Montessori work time.  Kindergarten students attend enrichment classes with their Kindergarten peers, joining Kindegarrten students from other Mixed age classes for both Music class and French class twice a week each (four days total).  This seperate Kindergarten time with both the Music and French Enrichment Teachers also provides an invaluable opportunity for more advance learning in both enrichment programs.

Remaining in the Montessori program for this crucial Kindergarten year provides the opportunity for children to reap the benefits of all the groundwork laid during their first two years in the program. In addition to the academic growth and acquisition of knowledge, the children have the important opportunity to be role models and teachers for their younger classmates, developing early leadership skills and further developing self-confidence. Participating in this program enables children to develop more as independent and capable decision-making individuals.