Elementary
Learning How to Think
6 - 12 years
Elementary Micro-School
We are grounded in the Montessori principles of multi-age, experiential learning, with respect for the whole child: mind, body, and spirit. Students receive an individualized curriculum within a well-prepared environment that develops students’ intrinsic motivation and natural curiosities about the world.
We strive to use the outdoors on our campus, and within the community, as our primary classroom. Students work, explore, play, and learn extensively outside during all four seasons. All spaces are well-prepared and allow students to connect deeply with the natural world each day as they learn to focus on the impact of weather and climate as part of their daily routines.
We develop students’ understanding of how the natural world around us works, and the role they play in making it a better place. It is our goal to develop kinder, braver, stronger children who grow into kinder, stronger, braver adults ready to positively impact the world.
As a micro-school, it is part of our design to remain small and to maintain a low teacher-student ratio. We believe that a small close-knit community focused on the joy of learning and of working toward mastery allows students to flourish as individuals.
Curriculum: What Do We Teach and How Do we Do It?
At The Academy of Early Learning at Sandwich Montessori School, our goal is to prepare students to face the world as kinder, braver, stronger people. We want them to be leaders, we want them to be good citizens, and we want them to be mindful as they move through their lives and their world. By educating the whole child, we embrace the mind, body, and spirit and work to support and develop students in all areas of their being. Within our curriculum and philosophy, developmentally appropriate and rigorous lessons, support students as they develop an understanding of themselves, the world around them, and the impact they make. Students master critical thinking skills, empathy, independence creativity, leadership, an understanding of self, resilience, and stewardship.
Our materials are grounded in the research-based, hands-on methods and materials developed by Dr. Maria Montessori.
The curriculum is designed to support the continuum of knowledge and growth from one developmental level to the next. Students’ work and experiences are spiraled from one level to the next providing depth within each subject area that allows for mastery within a given subject area. We also place an emphasis on building connections with nature and the focus of many lessons incorporate themes from the natural world.
“The first time I walked into the school, I was hooked. The classrooms were so beautiful. I’ll never look at regular school the same way. This is the way learning is supposed to be.”
- Madelaine Tayler, Parent
Some of the Specifics: FAQs
What are the school day hours?
Our school day is a full day. We currently operate our elementary school program from 8:30 – 2:30pm. From 12:00, students have an afternoon option that includes enrichment.
Why are you using the term, Outdoor Education, rather than Nature Education?
Outdoor education includes nature education, and nature education includes being outside. Outdoor education, however means getting outside and learning in all-weather without fail. Nature education programs are often done indoors with an outdoor component, but outdoor education is, by definition, done outdoors.
We will incorporate nature into as many aspects of the learning as possible and use natural materials. For example, leaves could be collected, dried and then used as a canvas for painting, or rocks, pinecones, acorns, etc. could be collected and used as story starters (rather than story starters written on a card) or vocabulary within a story, etc.
- What is the admissions process?
- Tour, interview (good fit discussion)
- Meet the teacher
- Complete application
- Submit application fee
- Set up ACH payment to secure spot
- Four-week trial period
- Official acceptance
Within the process is it our mission to ensure we are a good fit with your family. We want to be as transparent as possible, provide a true understanding of what to expect as part of our community. Once we determine the school and your family make a great educational fit, we move into the acceptance phase. Following our four-week trial period, families and the school meet to determine official acceptance.
What is a Socratic Seminar and Why are We Including This as Part of the Learning?
The Socratic seminar is a formal discussion, based on a common text, in which the guide asks open-ended questions. Learners listen closely to the comments of others, thinking critically for themselves, and articulate their own thoughts about the text and to the responses and thoughts of others.
Weekly topics explored beginning of the week, students supported during the week to develop understanding and opinions, and come together as a group to engage in the Socratic Seminar. Guides and supports are developmentally appropriate.
This is part of the learning to allow students to think more deeply and to become independent thinkers and question--allowing students to make sense of what they read and how the world works and can become mindful leaders.
Will enrichment be offered on site?
Yes, in phase II, as additional programming. (Art and music are always incorporated as choice for students and in Phase II further exploration of instruments, mediums, subject, or artist could be incorporated as an enrichment.)
Is the homeschooling support going to follow the Great Lesson outline?
Like each full-time student, homeschooling students will develop their individualized learning goals and work within the classroom to meet their goals. They will be included in lessons from a variety of subjects and an emphasis and guided support will reflect the plan the student and have family have created.
If you think your child would thrive in a Montessori environment, give us a call or click here to schedule a live tour. We would love for you to visit our school and learn more.
