Program Descriptions
At Alta Vista Montessori School we offer programs for children from 16 months to 6 years of age referred to by Dr. Montessori as the First Plane of Development. Our program includes:
Two different levels of Montessori curriculum
- Toddler Community (16 months to 3 years)
- Primary (ages 2 1/2 – 6)
Two different school calendars
- School-Year (late August to beginning of June)
Year-Round (late August to mid August)
Three different daily schedules
- Half Day (9 to 12)
- Full Day (9 to 3:15)
- All Day (7 to 6)
Before and After School Care
Holiday Childcare
Summer Program
Extracurricular Program
Since the child's body and mind are different in each of the age groups (Toddler and Primary), the specific details of our curriculum differ as well. Our Montessori method though shares some common, consistent features that span across both levels as well as the Elementary level.
A Multi-Age Group
Montessori schools have multi-age classrooms, generally encompassing a three-year age span. Older students teach younger students and younger students have many role models to follow. This way both younger and older children benefit academically and socially. Toddler and Primary classrooms (ages 0–6) generally involve much more one-on-one focus with the teacher, in keeping with the more solitary, ego-driven explorations that characterize the first plane of development.
Freedom and Responsibility
Freedom of movement and free choice of activities are important features in any Montessori classroom; rather than sitting in even rows or around a table with everyone focused on a single activity, students will disperse to tables or rugs on the floor and work on a variety of activities simultaneously, with the teacher observing or moving among them. We encourage our students to show enough self-discipline to meet social or academic expectations thus becoming responsible member of the classroom community.
Extensive Curriculum
The Montessori curriculum is both wide and deep, offering a wealth of knowledge in the detail desired by each individual child, with a unified presentation of knowledge across the age groups. A constant goal in the classroom is to plant the seeds for future ideas and activities; one concept is carefully laid in place to aid the comprehension of another, whether months or years down the line.
