Programs Offered

NEW School Hours starting Fall 2010, 8:30 to 2:45

NEW After Hours Program (2:45 to 6:00) also available starting Fall 2010

NEW Extended Summer Camp Program - Registration now open.  Visit http://greatkidscamps.net/mcs/ for more information and to register your child for camp.

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,

We are currently adding new programs to meet the present needs of the community,  If you do not see the program you are looking for, please call and let us know.  We may have new information to offer you as these new programs are unveiled.

NEW: 2 and 3 day programs are now offered in our Young Preschool class.

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

Mixed-age classes (3 through 6):

  • Preschool: Currently 8:45 a.m. to noon with Extend Day available until 2:30 p.m.
  • Starting Fall 2010, Preschool 8:30 to noon with Extended care available until 6 pm
  • Kindergarten: 8:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
  • Starting Fall 2010 Kindergarten 8:30 to 2:45 with Extended care until 6 pm

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.

Mixed-Age Program

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. 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.

At Montessorri Country School we offer one "Young Preschool" Class and four "Mixed-Age" classes. The younger class offers 2, 3, and 5 day per week schedules and includes children ages 2 1/2 to 4 years.  All other classes are 5 day programs for students 3 to 6 years old.

Young Preschool

MCS offers one class for our youngest students (2 1/2 year olds) as well as younger 3 and 4-year-old students enrolling for 2 or 3 days per week . 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.  NEW: Students also attend a 30 minute music class once a week.

5-Day Mixed-Age Classes

MCS offers four 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.  Class size is up to 25 maximum with one Lead Teacher and one Assistant.

Kindergarten

Our children participating in the Kindergarten program attend one of our four Mixed-Age classes from 8:45 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., 2 1/2 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 afternnon 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.