NFA Admissions Viewbook - PreK to Grade 3/Montessori

PRESCHOOL THROUGH GRADE 3 MONTESSORI & PRIMARY OPTIONS

NORWOODFONTBONNE ACADEMY

AN INDEPENDENT CATHOLIC ACADEMY FOR PRESCHOOL TO GRADE EIGHT

AT NORWOOD-FONTBONNE ACADEMY, CHILDREN FROM A DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY OF FAMILIES COME TOGETHER FOR AN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL EXPERIENCE LIKE NO OTHER. Inspired by the mission of the Sisters of Saint Joseph that “all may be one,” our students cultivate unity with God, their “dear neighbor,” the school, and each other.

We empower students through a self-directed approach to learning that permeates beyond our classrooms. Here, students own their education and explore their potential as they’re challenged to shape a more compassionate and socially responsible society. By actively engaging in stimulating academic pursuits, extensive co-curricular offerings, and immersive service opportunities, our students grow into independent learners and confident leaders.

NORWOOD-FONTBONNE ACADEMY’S 50-year-strong Montessori program is Philadelphia’s only accredited school for children age three through third grade. Our Primary option for children, age three through third grade, offers an alternative for families seeking a more structured approach. In fourth grade, students from both options seamlessly merge into our Intermediate program, then advance to our Middle School program as they prepare for high school and beyond.

TWO OPTIONS, ONE GOAL: CONFIDENT, INDEPENDENT LEARNERS Norwood-Fontbonne Academy offers two educational options for children ages three through third grade: Montessori and Primary. We work in partnership with each family to identify the best educational path for your child’s learning style. The fundamental educational philosophy of both programs empowers students to be confident and self-aware, make reflective choices, and take ownership of their learning.

Our integrated approach combines academic challenge and a spiritual foundation with abundant opportunities to participate in athletics, the arts, and meaningful community service. Presentation and public speaking skills are emphasized starting at an early age. Developmentally appropriate technology is

incorporated at every grade level, enabling students to adapt to new social and technological paradigms, develop critical thinking, and creatively communicate positive new ideas.

Students from both the Montessori and Primary options seamlessly transition to our nonMontessori Intermediate program in fourth grade.

MONTESSORI PROGRAM OPTION: AGES 3 TO 8

PRIMARY PROGRAM OPTION: AGES 3 TO 8

Our Montessori program offers a hands-on, individually paced learning experience in a multi-age classroom environment.

The teacher facilitates learning by connecting each child with specifically designed materials and carefully selected exercises, moving from the simple and concrete to the complex and abstract.

In Montessori, children choose their own work, resulting in selfmotivated growth. NFA and our Montessori teachers are fully certified by the American Montessori Society (AMS).

The Primary program offers innovative project- and themebased learning experiences using teacher-led activities and lessons. Teachers play a more directive role in students’ learning while still encouraging independence and confidence.

Children are grouped by grades in creative, interactive class environments.

JUNIOR LEVEL MONTESSORI AGES 6 TO 8

MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL AGES 3 TO 5 Our preschoolers joyfully and actively engage in a three-year curriculum with the same teacher built around their natural physical, emotional, social, and intellectual development. Students develop independence, self- care, self-awareness, grace, and courtesy as they learn at their own pace, work cooperatively with each other, and mentor each other.

The Junior Level Montessori program (JLM) features freedom of movement, open work space, projects, and blocks of time for both individual and group lessons.

Working with a wide array of stimulating hands-on materials in all subject areas—including a strong literature-based language program, culture studies (geography, history, science), and technology—our students move from concrete to abstract learning and thinking.

In our Pre-Primary program (ages 3 and 4) and Kindergarten (age 5) our students progress through the curriculum in a teacherdirected environment that encourages interaction, exploration, and investigation.

In first, second, and third grade, students learn the critical skills of decisionmaking and responsibility as teachers guide them through their academic subjects and enrichment classes using themed projects and independent learning centers.

UNITED AS ONE As a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Saint Joseph since the school’s founding in 1920, we are deeply rooted in the Sisters’ commitment to living and working so that “all may be one” with God and each other.

SPIRITUAL ENVIRONMENT Grounded in the Catholic faith, we welcome and encourage students from all backgrounds to grow their connection with God and each other. Our program includes religious instruction, child-focused school-wide liturgies and prayer services, and daily classroom prayer experiences.

We prepare our students in grade 2 for the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion, celebrated at NFA. Confirmation preparation is also offered for our middle school students, in conjunction with their parishes.

A DIVERSE, INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY Our age-appropriate curricula throughout our students’ years at NFA address the needs of our diverse community.

Through our partnerships with peer schools and SSJsponsored ministries, our students learn first-hand the understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We provide opportunities for our students and their families, and our faculty and staff, to celebrate diversity in all forms through study and meaningful discussion.

SERVICE-LEARNING AND SOCIAL JUSTICE Students put their faith into action by participating in service, promoting social justice, and being civically engaged. Drawing on Catholic Social Teaching, our comprehensive ServiceLearning program partners with local non-profits and SSJ-sponsored ministries, and incorporates pre-education, face-to-face interaction, and post-reflection in which students live Gospel values by meeting the needs of others and our Earth.

For example, students might learn about aging and caring for the elderly before visiting the senior Sisters at Saint Joseph Villa, or about the importance of proper care for the Earth and access to healthy food in conjunction with helping on the Schuylkill Center Farm. As they actively process the meaning of their Service-Learning experiences, students develop a raised social consciousness and a lifelong commitment to personal and social justice.

OPEN CAMPUS, ACTIVE COMMUNITY Our expansive 14-acre campus in the heart of Chestnut Hill includes unique and intentionally designed indoor and outdoor learning spaces that foster independence, openness, and active experiences—a reflection of our open, inclusive, and vibrant community.

DISTINCTIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT As students transition from one developmental stage to the next, they move to different buildings with ageappropriate learning spaces.

Four houses on campus serve our youngest students with a welcoming home-like atmosphere. As students grow more independent, they move to the Fontbonne Building, where Junior Level Montessori and first through fifth grades meet. For their Middle School years, students move to a high-school-like setting in Sister James Anthony Hall.

Our learning spaces feature unique open classrooms that facilitate collaborative learning and reflect the real-world work environment.

ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT At NFA, students are active and engaged as they learn to be leaders in areas where they are passionate. The

depth and breadth of the options offered—60+ cocurriculars, exceptional art, theater, and music programs, STEM Lab and Digital Arts Center activities—encourage students to explore their interests and pursue their true potential.

A sampling of the co-curricular options available to younger students includes Young Rembrandts, Piano, and Taekwondo Basics. Beginning in fifth grade, students can participate in our robust athletic program that boasts intramural sports teams and clubs, junior varsity (grades 5 and 6), and varsity (grades 7 and 8) teams.

DISCOVER NFA FOR YOUR CHILD For more information or to schedule a tour, contact our Director of Admissions, at 215-403-7310, or admissions@norfon.org.

8891 GERMANTOWN AVENUE | PHILADELPHIA, PAÂ 19118 215-247-3811 | ADMISSIONS@NORFON.ORG | NORFON.ORG A SPONSORED WORK OF THE SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH A NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE