Note: HOMS would like to announce that we have a new toddler program beginning in the fall of 2011 for children ages 18 to 33 months old. Please call or email for more information about the program and how to enroll.

Programs

Developing Intellectual and Social Skills

We offer a full Montessori curriculum in both a 5-day morning and a 5-day afternoon preschool and kindergarten program. We also offer a full day extended-day kindergarten & early elementary program.

Hands-On Montessori School maintains a regular faculty of qualified and Montessori trained teachers. We maintain facility offering a full scope of Montessori materials along with other developmentally appropriate activities in each class. Activities are carried out over an approximate 164-day school year. The school calendar is developed according to the guidelines of the district’s public school calendar but tailored to meet the needs of the Montessori system which allows for parent/teacher conferences twice per year, new student interviews once per year and the occasional school closing for staff development and training.

Primary Classes (2.9-6 years old)
Preschool- Kindergarten
The students at HOMS enjoy mixed-age preschool and kindergarten classes. Each primary class is comprised of children ages 2.9 to 6 years old. This mixed age grouping fosters a non-competitive environment. Peer teaching and learning occurs spontaneously allowing older children to reinforce their skills while affording the younger child opportunities and experiences that may not otherwise be available in a more traditional grade type classroom. The Montessori Method is based on an integrated approach to the curriculum whereby no subject is taught in isolation. Math, language, art, music, geography, cultural studies, botany, zoology and other sciences are explored. In addition, outdoor play, lessons in grace and courtesy; care and respect for ones’ self, the environment and each other are part of the daily curriculum.

Respect for concentration is modeled and taught from very early on; therefore students are not interrupted while engaged in a purposeful activity. The children are encouraged to pursue studies in all areas of their spontaneous personal interest using hands-on “experiential” learning through concrete manipulative learning materials, experimental discovery, and group experiences. Children are free to move about the room and make work choices while being guided by the Montessori teacher based on observations of readiness and interest. There is a definite sense of freedom within clearly defined limits in the Montessori classroom.

Primary Classes offered:
Morning Class: 8:30 to 11:30, Monday through Friday
Afternoon Class: 12:30 to 3:30, Monday through Friday

Extended-Day Kindergarten Class (4.9 to 6 years old)
Extended Day students are in school from 8:30 to 3:30 Monday through Friday. Children being considered for this program must be at least 4.9 years by September first and demonstrate a developmental readiness for a full day of school. Social/emotional development and the development of physical endurance for a full day are considered and given equal weight when deciding if the program is right for your child.

The Extended-Day class time is an extension of the learning that takes place in the primary (3- 6) classrooms. Your child has the unique and valuable experience of being one of the oldest “third year students” in his/her primary class. Time in the Extended-Day program gives your child the opportunity to work with like aged peers as well as older friends to review, reinforce, or build on lessons, concepts and skills that they are learning while in their primary class. In addition to this, Extended-day students participate in the Junior Great Books program, “writer’s workshop”, and extended cultural activities.

Extended-day students enjoy lunch and outdoor play with the Lower Elementary students daily. They have the opportunity to work with the older Lower El students during our weekly scheduled “Reading Buddies” time. In addition, Extended Day students enjoy invitations to observe and/or participate in lessons or cooperative projects with the Lower Elementary Class students when appropriate.

Lower Elementary Class
First Grade through Third Grade: (6 to 9 years old)
Children at this age are gradually moving from concrete learning to more abstract learning. The Lower Elementary Montessori Class meets the changing needs of the elementary student as they follow the developmental path toward abstraction. The Montessori elementary class balances the child’s developing imagination with concrete, hands-on materials. During the elementary years students have an innate tendency to explore the broad “cosmic” perspective within disciplines. The skills acquired during the preschool years are expanded in the meaningful context of the “big picture”. Their curiosity about the world and their place in it is nurtured to promote an inner motivation to learn.

In addition to reading, writing and arithmetic, the elementary students study the Great Lessons. Through these Great Lessons students study and learn natural science, geometry, history, biology, botany, zoology, geography, geology, art, music, culture and more. They learn to respect themselves, each other, our world, its people and our natural resources. All this learning takes place through individual, small group and large group lessons in a mixed-age, multi-year class. Through the Montessori integrated curriculum over the course of the three year program, students acquire the knowledge, skills and self confidence to succeed and become life-long lovers of learning.

Lower Elementary Class Schedule
8:30 to 3:30 Monday through Friday