Academics
Early Childhood
AT THE HEART OF THE MONTESSORI METHOD
Toddler 18 months - 3 years
- Primary 3-6 Years
Curious Learners in a Prepared Environment
Children as young as 18 months old begin their first days at Alcuin in the Montessori Early Childhood program.
At this developmental stage the Montessori curriculum offers students (now physically and mentally ready) larger abstract ideas, an opportunity to engage with conceptual information in physical form. The concrete math of geometry is manipulated and built. The structure of sentences is broken down into parts that build ideas. Story building and research can be the follow-up activity to any lesson. The history and chemical makeup of the planet are now central to the academic adventure.
As in Early Childhood, the Elementary environments are meticulously prepared to serve each student’s sense of inquiry; tapping into their intrinsic curiosity and joy of learning.
In addition, the extraordinary benefit of mixed-aged classroom communities is a chance to be the youngest, middle, and oldest among their peers as they move through the three-year cycle.
Each classroom is fully supported by a Montessori Guide and Assistant trained to stay present with their students.
A Look Inside the Classrooms
List of 3 items.
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Toddler Classrooms
18 months – 3 years -
Primary Classrooms
3 years – 5 years -
Mixed Age Classrooms
- Allows for the development of leadership
- Younger students watch and learn from older role models
- Older children can give lessons to younger children while continuing to be challenged in all areas of curriculum
- Deep bonds based on trust develop between Guides, Assistants and students
A Child-Centered Educational Approach
Alcuin School’s pedagogy for Early Childhood through Lower School is based on the pioneering work of Dr. Maria Montessori.
The Montessori Method is a child-centered educational approach based on scientific observations of children from birth to adulthood. Dr. Montessori’s educational philosophy has been time tested, with over 100 years of success in diverse cultures throughout the world.
Alcuin School is one of the largest accredited and widely renowned Montessori schools in the U.S.
Alcuin’s view of the child is one who is naturally eager for knowledge and capable of initiating learning in a supportive, thoughtfully prepared learning environment. Alcuin School’s approach to the Montessori educational philosophy values the human spirit and the development of the whole child—physical, social, emotional, cognitive.
Through each child’s developmental journey, knowledge broadens along with physical and psychological abilities. Alcuin’s program is designed to take full advantage of the children’s desire to learn and their unique ability to develop their own capabilities.
Given the freedom and support to question, to probe, and to make connections, Alcuin students become confident, enthusiastic, self-directed learners. They are able to think critically, work collaboratively, and act boldly—a skill set for the 21st century.
Through each child’s developmental journey, knowledge broadens along with physical and psychological abilities. Alcuin’s program is designed to take full advantage of the children’s desire to learn and their unique ability to develop their own capabilities.
Given the freedom and support to question, to probe, and to make connections, Alcuin students become confident, enthusiastic, self-directed learners. They are able to think critically, work collaboratively, and act boldly—a skill set for the 21st century.
