Practical Life

Practical life exercises are designed to help the child gain a sense of order, to develop coordination and concentration and to foster independence. Practical life exercises essentially provide the blueprint of life and emphasize building fine motor skills and increasing attention spans associated with daily living activities.

Sensorial

Sensorial experiences appeal to the five senses of sight, touch, smell, taste and sound. Sensorial lessons define shape, color, size, weight, sound, smell and texture. The use of concrete sensorial materials establishes the necessary foundation for the child to later recognize abstract ideas with greater understanding and a more organized mind.

Language

Language development spans all areas of the classroom and is alive with movement. In the Montessori classroom, children learn through phonics as well as sight–reading through labels in the classroom. Individual lessons are based on phonetics, linguistics and sight–reading skills. It is not uncommon for most four year olds, enrolled in our schools, to be reading before their fifth birthday. The children’s interest in reading is never stifled by monotony, rather it is cultivated as their most important key to future learning.

Mathematics

Maria Montessori demonstrated that if children have access to a hands on approach to mathematics in their early years, it serves as a basis for logical thinking and future acquisition of math skills. The Montessori approach to mathematics is logical, clear and effective. Children work with concrete materials representing abstract concepts. The whole math experience is very kinesthetic and visual. Children learn concepts though natural progression. The classrooms are full of materials for learning the concepts of numeration, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and problem solving.

Cultural Studies/Arts & Crafts/Computer Applications

Geography, History, Biology, Botany, Zoology, Social Sciences, Horticulture and World Cultures are presented to the children in enriching and exciting ways. Children study about the world through maps and globes. The objective is to increase their awareness of our planet. The Montessori Method offers the children a concrete presentation of history by letting them work with timelines.

Art in the kindergarten curriculum enhances the creativity of a child. Talented professional art instructors design meaningful and inspirational lessons for the children to gain awareness and an appreciation for the arts. Art is an important form of self-expression. It develops hand-eye coordination, imagination, individuality and aesthetic appreciation.

All children have access to computers and age appropriate software. Technology related skills are essential for this generation to succeed in the future.

Foreign Language

The Spanish curriculum is designed to give the children a working knowledge of the language. The program is designed to be colloquial, interesting and useful. Students learn shapes, colors and the fundamentals of the language.

Music and Movement

Physical growth and muscle development are precursors to intellectual development. The Montessori philosophy brings together music, dance and song. An early appreciation of music and movement will contribute to the overall development of the child.

The school campuses have wonderful playgrounds. Supervised outdoor play takes place during recess, lunch and after-school hours. The campuses also house an outdoor patio area with a butterfly, vegetable and herb garden.

7:00 to 8:00 a.m.       ARRIVALS AND INDEPENDENT MONTESSORI WORK

8:00 to 11:00 a.m.       CIRCLE TIME, MONTESSORI PRESENTATIONS, AND INDEPENDENT MONTESSORI WORK CYCLE    

• Practical Life, Sensorial, Math, Language, Science, Geography, Foreign Language, Music and Movement, Art, and Story Time.

• Children have 30 minutes during the morning for snack and/or outdoor playtime.

11:00 to 12:00 p.m.       SUPERVISED LUNCH and OUTDOOR PLAY

11:30 a.m.                     HALF DAY DISMISSAL

11:30 a.m.       VPK CLASS BEGINS

11:30 to 2:00 p.m.       AFTERNOON WORK CYCLE FOR VPK, OLDER CHILDREN AND KINDERGARTEN CHILDREN

• VPK, Older Children and Kindergarten children have a 15- minute story/quiet time and continue their afternoon work cycle until 2:00 p.m., when we prepare for snack and dismissal.

12:00 to 1:45 p.m.       NAP TIME FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN

• Younger children lie down on their mats and rest while listening to soft, classical music and stories.

2:00 to 2:30 p.m.         SNACK, OUTDOOR ACTIVITY, MUSIC AND MOVEMENT

2:30 to 2:45 p.m.         VPK & FULL DAY DISMISSAL

2:30 to 3:00 p.m.         AFTER SCHOOL SNACK

3:00 to 6:00 p.m.         AFTER SCHOOL CARE ACTIVITIES

• Music and movement, songs, games, puzzles, reading, educational videos & extracurricular activities.

• Includes homework completion with staff assistance if applicable.

6:00 p.m.                        SCHOOL CLOSED.

• Child must be 5 years old by September 1st.

• Completion of all steps in the online registration process.

• Payment of registration fee ($415.00 -- non-refundable).

• A month-long probationary period for all new students is required to determine whether our academic program is beneficial and meets the needs of the child.

• Prior to the first day of class, each child must have the following documents uploaded in their digital student file as required by the Department of Children and Families (DCF):

  • Certificate of Health (DH form 3040).

  • Florida Certificate of Immunization (DH form 680).

  • Copy of the child’s Birth Certificate.

  • Emergency Information Card signed with allergy and health concerns documented.

  • Allergies and health concerns documented

  • Signed Covid waiver (required by the school)