2011-2012 Montessori Programs

Madison Central Montessori School offers a wide range of programs for children ages 2 ½ through 14. In addition to the core Montessori curriculum, full-day and elementary after school programs are offered for families needing extended care.

Coming in 2012-13: Our new Toddler Community!
Ages 18 months to 3 years

This is a community within itself. The room is divided into areas, to help focus the child’s attention and interests.

There is a place to rest; quietly and peacefully.

The personal care space focuses on personal hygiene. We work on independent dressing and undressing skills, and may introduce toileting.

The eating area includes a place for the children to help with preparation of the food they will eat. This area is rich in language, sensory input (ah, the smell of ripe strawberries, waiting to be cut!) and real experiences, with real tools, for a real purpose.

Our “living room” holds shelves with carefully chosen activities that will match the developmental stages of the child. Shelves are rich with materials to encourage language development, art, music, and manipulative play. Everything is designed to help the child refine skills that are based on real-life activities.

Half Day:   8:00 AM - 11:45 AM    Monday - Friday

Extended Day:   8:00 AM - 3:15 PM    Monday - Friday
 

Primary - Ages 2 ½ - 6 years

This is a three year program for children 3 to 6 years of age. On occasion, children who are fully toilet-trained may begin at 2 ½ years of age. In this case, the child may be in the Children's House Program for four years, rather than three. Children 2 ½ - 5 years of age stay for a half day, five days per week - Monday through Friday, and are dismissed at 11:45 AM. Children who have turned 5 years of age remain in the classroom until 3:00 PM (this longer day is known as Extended Day and is equivalent to the Kindergarten year.)

The Full Day program is for children in the Children's House classrooms whose parents are seeking care beyond the regular Montessori morning program. Our Full Day teachers have education and experience in Early Childhood education and provide a warm and stimulating play environment. This program incorporates some aspects of the High Scope philosophy and complements your child's experiences in the Montessori environment. After lunch and resting/napping, children spend time pursuing interests such as blocks, arts and crafts, creative dramatics, outdoor play and much more!

Elementary - Ages 6 - 12 years

We have two multi-aged Elementary programs: Lower Elementary is for children 6 - 9 years of age (grades 1 - 3) and Upper Elementary is for children 9 - 12 years of age (grades 4 - 6). With some exceptions, all children enrolled in these programs have had previous Montessori experience. MCMS also offers an after school program for elementary children whose parents are looking for care and fun for their child after the 3:15 PM dismissal time. This is complementary to the work of the school day with attention given to the child's need for physical and creative activities.

Adolescent - Ages 12 - 14 years

The curriculum of this program builds on the work of the Primary and Elementary levels. It is a continuation of what the child has experienced throughout his/her Montessori education. The Montessori approach of discovery, and revelation of the child's nature, continues with this period of adolescence. It is a natural progression for MCMS to offer a quality program for the adolescent, based on the characteristics and needs of this next plane of development.