“The greatest gifts we can give our children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence."”
– Maria Montessori
The Montessori School of Syracuse provides children ages 3 to 12 with a quality education based on Montessori philosophy and methods. We strive for our students to reach their full potential as enthusiastic, self-directed, life-long learners and caring, global citizens.
WHY MONTESSORI?
The Montessori method is a proven approach to education practiced in thousands of public and private schools throughout the United States and around the world.
Montessori education is based on the belief that children are unique, have different interests and needs, learn in different ways and at a different pace.
The Montessori School of Syracuse is organized into seven multi-age classrooms: four cottages for children ages 3 to 6 (two years of pre-school and a kindergarten year); two lowerelementary classrooms for children ages 6 to 9 (grades 1-3); and one upper-elementary classroom for children ages 9 to 12 (grades 4-6).
By staying in the same classroom for three years, children develop close personal and working relationships with their teachers and classmates and a strong sense of community. The multi-age classroom
also allows students to learn from their peers; younger students are inspired and mentored by older students, while older students reinforce their knowledge and develop leadership skills by helping younger students.
Montessori education gives each child an opportunity to discover their own internal strengths and reach their potential, in a supportive
PROGRAMS
We offer several program choices so that you can create a schedule that works for both you and your child:
Half-Day 3-6 Year Old Program
Monday-Friday, 8:15 am - 11:45 am
Full-Day 3-6 Year Old Program*
Monday-Friday, 8:15 am - 2:45 pm
Full-Day Elementary Program
Monday-Friday, 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
Supplemental Programs: Early Arrival:
Monday-Friday, Starting at 7:30 am
After Hours
Monday-Friday, 2:45 pm - 5:30 pm
Summer Program
Full-day, weekly programs that run during the month of June
*Kindergarten is a full-day program
and respectful school environment. Whether you choose the 3-6 program, or stay through the elementary years, you will be giving your child a foundational educational experience that they will carry with them for a lifetime.
“She was completely prepared – academically, emotionally, and socially. Her time management and study skills helped tremendously in her transition to a more traditional school environment.”
– Montessori Parent
“Montessori was a terrific experience for both of our boys on many levels. Our boys have developed a great love of learning: possess the ability to think independently and critically; and have a strong sense of responsibility to the world around them both locally and globally. Montessori is the best gift I could give to my children.”
– Montessori Parent
“help me to do these words reveal the child’s inner needs:
• AGES3TO6
PRIMARY
SCHOOL – PRE-SCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN
BUILDING A STRONG FOUNDATION
In the 3-6 year old classroom, learning is a dynamic and joyful process. Our students learn by working with carefully designed Montessori materials that encourage hands-on manipulation and exploration. The three-year curriculum offers experiences in practical life, sensorial activities, language, Mandarin, science, math, music and cultural studies. Each classroom has immediate access to the outdoor environment for gardening, nature study and playtime.
Respecting others with grace and courtesy is the foundation for
it myself.”
social and personal interaction throughout MSS as modeled by the adults in our community. Students in the 3-6 year old classroom learn grace and courtesy, to respect themselves and others, and resolve conflicts, as they develop important social skills.
Throughout the three-year program, independence is nurtured. From tying shoes to choosing work, the children are respected as individuals and encouraged to be active participants in the classroom.
By encouraging a personal best approach rather than peer competition, the Montessori School of Syracuse nurtures children’s curiosity, creativity and cooperation, while building self-confidence, compassion and learning skills.
“I could never say enough about how wonderful MSS has been for our boys. We actually tried our oldest in the local public kindergarten at the beginning of this past school year and switched him back to MSS after a week.”
– Montessori Parent
TYPICAL PRIMARY DAY:
8:15 Arrival, Circle Time, 3 Hour Work Block 11:45 Half-Day Dismissal; Full-Day Lunch & Recess
1:15 Afternoon Work Block; Nap for younger students 2:45 Dismissal
THE PATH TO DISCOVERY ELEMENTARY S C HOOL • AG ES 6 TO 12
During the elementary years, children at the Montessori School of Syracuse continue on their path of self-discovery while developing solid academic and social skills.
The morning of the elementary day, like the 3-6 year old day, is an uninterrupted three-hour work period. Students choose tasks in math, science, language arts, cultural studies, geography and other academic areas. They also receive individiual and small-group lessons.
In the 9-12 year old classroom, students continue to work to their full potential in a curriculum-rich environment. They learn time management and study skills as they pursue a full range of study, including advanced topics such as algebra, geometry, creative writing and computer research.
“the child is both a hope and a
In the afternoons, students participate in “specials” – classes such as art, music, library, Great Books, Mandarin, fitness, and trips to the school's Land Laboratory – which are taught outside the main classrooms by specialty teachers.
Our multi-age elementary classrooms are designed to address each child’s developmental and academic needs.
In the 6-9 year old program, teachers bring ideas to life through stories and activities that spark children’s imagination and stimulate their intellect.
The academic curriculum is rich and all encompassing. Children first learn concepts using concrete materials, then build their skills by practicing with those materials, and finally move to abstract knowledge and critical thinking.
Students do not receive nightly homework. Elementary students organize their work throughout the day using a daily planner. Your child may have Great Books assignments, foreign language work, instrument practice and Science research projects to be done at home.
Students are regularly assessed through direct teacher assessment, self-assessment, review tests, and student portfolios.
Parent-Teacher conferences are held in October and March, and Student Assessments are sent home in January and June.
A comparison of our school’s Montessori curriculum and the New York State standards revealed that we teach at or above the state standards in all subject areas. As students pursue personal interests and work at their own pace, they become passionate and self-directed learners who are well prepared to excel in middle school and beyond.
“Our daughter loved going to the Montessori School of Syracuse from Pre-K to 6th grade because she was fully prepared to go on to Middle School due to her excellent schooling, and has maintained close friendships with her former classmates. Montessori allowed her to spread her wings and fly as high as she wanted to in so many ways that would not have been possible in a public school.”
– Montessori Parent
promise for mankind.”
“To have a school where our children love to be, love to learn and love everyone is truly a blessing.”
– Montessori
Parent
A SENSE OF COMMUNITY
One of the most important aspects of the Montessori School of Syracuse is the strong sense of community shared by students, parents and staff. At MSS, it isn’t just your child who is part of our school; it’s your entire family.
As you begin your admissions journey, we will talk about your child’s developmental readiness for a Montessori classroom. We want to make sure that every child experiences success at our school – that it is a good fit. It is also important for your child’s success that your family’s approach to education is a good fit for Montessori.
IS MONTESSORI A GOOD FIT FOR YOUR FAMILY?
We want to support our child’s developmentally appropriate journey towards independence.
We want to be well educated about the Montessori approach to education so that we can work with our child’s teachers to promote success. We want to help our child learn about the world through real life experiences and hands-on activities.
We want to be engaged in a vibrant and supportive community.
We want our child to be respectful of others and communicate effectively with them.
We want to be involved in our child’s school experience, read school publications, attend school events, and support Montessori at home.
We believe that children are natural learners who learn and grow through guided, meaningful activity.
We understand the importance of supporting our child's development by limiting screen time, encouraging plenty of physical activity, providing a healthy diet and ensuring adequate sleep each night for our child.
“We appreciate the outdoor curriculum built into the Montessori education. We were talking recently with friends who have children that don’t get recess in elementary grades because of ‘teaching to the core’ and eagerly shared the wonderful outdoor learning experiences that Montessori offers.”
– Montessori Parent
SUPPLEMENTAL PROGRAMS
The Montessori School of Syracuse offers several supplemental programs. They consist of the Early Arrival, After Hours, Summer Program and After School Workshops. The programs are a natural extension of the child's Montessori classroom experience in that they provide a consistent environment and a safe and caring community.
Early Arrival
(7:30 am - 8:15 am daily)
An opportunity for your child to play quietly with other children prior to the start of the school day.
After Hours Program
(2:45 pm - 5:30 pm daily)
A blend of Montessori philosophy and relaxed play with plenty of time outside. Activities include crafts, games and free play.
Summer Program
Available during the month of June, our Primary students have the option to enroll in a two-week nature camp that is held on the MSS campus. Elementary students have the option to enroll in a two-week program that is held at the Land Laboratory in Pompey. Both summer programs are for currently enrolled students only.
After School Workshops
Elementary students can register for After School Workshops throughout the year. Some examples of past workshops include sewing, soccer, softball, upcycling, theater, and chess. The workshops vary from semester to semester and allow the students to learn new skills.
OUR HISTORY
The Montessori School of Syracuse was started by three women –Mary Lawyer O’Connor, Susan French-Lawyer and Patricia Choice Getz – who wanted to provide a Montessori education for their children and the community. In 1995, they opened the school with seven students and one teacher.
In its first five years, the school grew from one classroom to five and from seven students to nearly 100. Despite its success, the school underwent a true test of strength and character in the fall of 2000 when an arson attack at the school’s location at Temple Beth-El forced the school to find a new location.
Parents, trustees and administrators worked tirelessly to find and finance a new home for the school. They succeeded, and the school purchased the former New York State Teachers’ Retirement Home on Waldorf Parkway in January 2001.
The school added two 3-6 year-old cottages for pre-school and kindergarten students in 2002 and 2005. Over the next ten years, the school added a Music Cottage and built a new athletic field.
The school celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2024, and continues to be led by its founders. Currently, the Montessori School of Syracuse serves approximately150 students, from 19 Central New York school districts.
