Montessori Center School Program Brochure

MONTESSORI CENTER SCHOOL

Since 1965, Montessori Center School has provided Santa Barbara families with a high quality and challenging education. A beautifully designed campus and inviting classrooms convey a sense of order and harmony. With teachers committed to understanding the whole child, students develop intellectual skills along with the emotional and social skills needed to thrive in today’s global community.

PRE-PRIMARY PROGRAM AGES 18 MONTHS - 3 YEARS Toddlers are innately curious about everything! Montessori is an educational philosophy which recognizes that children wish to experiment, create and explore their world. Children develop a sense of self through this experiential process. Children gain independence and concentration working with Montessori materials and participating in group activities. This program gives children the opportunity to work together to develop selfconfidence in a nurturing atmosphere of understanding, support and respect.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:

PROGRAM HOURS:

• Engaging circle time activities

Half Day:

8:15 am - 12:30 pm

• Support in toilet learning

Full Day:

8:15 am - 2:30 pm

3, 4, and 5 day options, as available

“Within the child lies the fate of the future.” - Dr. Maria Montessori

PRIMARY PROGRAM AGES 3 - 6 YEARS (PRESCHOOL - KINDERGARTEN) The Primary program offers a joyful atmosphere in which students learn, grow and thrive. Primary students begin their journey as learners and leave as leaders. The main areas of a Montessori environment are practical life, sensorial, language, math and cultural studies. In a Montessori classroom, each student has the opportunity to make choices and take ownership of their learning. Students receive one-on-one or small group lessons daily, offering them the individualized support and attention they need to flourish. It is a community which offers a perfect balance of learning, playing, sharing and celebrating together.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:

PROGRAM HOURS:

• Cross-curricular thematic units of study

Half Day:

8:15 am - 12:30 pm

Full Day:

8:15 am - 2:30 pm

• Emphasis in peace education

Primary is a 5 day program.

“Montessori teachings allowed us to learn and to think for ourselves and gave us the freedom to pursue our own interests.” – Larry Page

LOWER ELEMENTARY PROGRAM AGES 6 - 9 YEARS (GRADES 1 - 3) Our Lower Elementary program offers students, an innovative, progressive and personalized curriculum, emphasizing reading, writing, mathematics and integrating science and cultural studies. A nurturing environment encourages intellectual, social, physical, creative and moral development. Students work collaboratively to develop academic and social skills while building self-confidence and respect for themselves and others. Long blocks of uninterrupted work encourage continued development of self-motivation, concentration and independence.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:

PROGRAM HOURS:

• Year-end theater performance of an original play

8:00 am - 3:00 pm

• Hands-on science experiments • Campouts • Gardening and outdoor activities • Social-Emotional Learning Program (Second Step)

UPPER ELEMENTARY PROGRAM AGES 9 - 12 YEARS (GRADES 4 - 6) The Upper Elementary program focuses on the unique and changing needs of the adolescent child. Expanding on the course of study in Lower Elementary, academic concepts are presented with higher levels of abstraction and complexity. This integrated, individualized, rigorous curriculum challenges students to embrace their strengths and pursue their interests while mastering all academic areas. Students work at their own pace in a dynamic, multi-age environment that is designed to cultivate imagination and critical thinking.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:

PROGRAM HOURS:

• Year-end theatrical production of a musical

8:00 am - 3:00 pm

• Student government • Interscholastic athletic program • Multi-day STEM & backpacking trips: AstroCamp, NatureBridge in Yosemite & Catalina Island Marine Institute (CIMI) • Social-Emotional Learning Program (Second Step)

SPECIALIST PROGRAMS AT MCS ART Students affirm and develop aesthetic awareness and confidence through creative expression using crosscurricular integration. Students explore technique, function and process within historical and cultural contexts to gain an understanding and appreciation of art.

MUSIC Students are instructed in instruments, singing, music theory, music appreciation, movement and rhythm using a child-centered approach drawing from literary, national and global materials. Music studio classes are a synthesis of the Orff Schulwerk, Kodaly and Dalcroze methods of music education.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION Students develop teamwork and problem-solving skills while attaining higher physical fitness, agility, endurance and an interest in recreation. PE instruction encourages physical coordination, body awareness and fine and gross motor skill development.

SPANISH Students actively explore the Spanish language and traditions. They are exposed to rich vocabulary, practice basic conversation skills and experience the Spanish culture through various group activities. As students progress through the program levels, the curricular content is adjusted to match their particular plane of development.

LIBRARY Students gain knowledge through exposure to various genres of literature, allowing them to make learning connections across disciplines. The library curriculum is designed to promote a love of reading and foundational library skills. The MCS library boasts an outstanding collection of over 8,000 books for students to access.

THEATER (Lower & Upper Elementary, Grades 1 - 6) Students learn how to work together in groups, think critically, use their imagination, discover new ideas, solve problems and communicate effectively with others. To culminate the year, students perform a vibrant musical production COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY (Upper Elementary, Grades 4 - 6) Students learn keyboarding skills, parts of the computer, word processing, analytical thinking, presentation and how to do online research. These opportunities allow students to work collaboratively with the latest technology so they are prepared for higher levels of education.

Guided by experienced, credentialed teachers using the Montessori Method, a dynamic learning environment inspires creativity, productive thinking and a lifelong love of learning.

Students become self-directed learners through participation, leadership and active decision making.

Individualized and small group instruction in multi-age classrooms promote cooperative learning opportunities at all levels and enable students to learn from one another.

Children select work during uninterrupted blocks of time across the curricular areas,developing tools for intellectual exploration and learning.

401 N. Fairview Avenue #1 | Goleta, CA 93117 805.683.9383 | WWW.MCSSB.ORG Montessori Center School admits students of any race, color, religion, national and ethnic origin, gender identity, and sexual orientation to all rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national and ethnic origin, gender identity or sexual orientation in the administration of its educational programs, admission and tuition assistance policies, and athletic or other school-administered programs. Non-Profit Education Organization, License No. 426205239