Choosing a school for your child is an important decision that every family should make with as much information as possible! As we continually grow and develop our school community, we want to keep our current families informed on what we expect to be able to offer in the coming year. To that end, we’ve compiled a list here of information that is potentially relevant to the decision-making process for enrollment. If you have a question that isn’t answered here, please reach out to our office anytime!
Please note that because logistical details can change to meet the complex needs of students, families, and the School, this information is still subject to change as necessary. However, the information presented here is our anticipated structure and logistics for 2023-24.
Our Continuing Vision and Mission…
…is to be a thriving community that is passionate about learning, discovery, and making a positive impact in the world.
The Montessori School of Champaign-Urbana stimulates the natural curiosity of children through hands-on prepared environments to be self-directed, compassionate, innovative thinkers.
We remain fully committed to continuing dynamic, hands-on, authentic learner-centered Montessori education in which we “follow the child” first and foremost to develop their growth and learning.
Class Sizes & Ratios for 2023-24
We expect the following class sizes & ratios for 2023-2024:
*We do not have a class of 6th or 7th graders currently in 2022-23 that would transition to 7th or 8th grade, so for 2023-24 we will only enroll up through 6th grade. We will reassess the viability of the Secondary program as we approach the 2024-25 school year.
Upcoming Info Nights
If your child will be transitioning for the first time to one of the programs listed below next school year, attend one of our info nights for information specific to these particular programs!
Kindergarten: January 17, 6pm (Tuesday), in the Puppy Room.
Lower Elementary: January 26 (Thursday), via Zoom (link to be shared with current Kindergarten families via email soon)
Upper Elementary: Date, time, and location TBA
Teachers and Staffing
Toddler: No anticipated changes
Primary: No anticipated changes
Elementary: Our plan for 2023-24 is that Brekke Day will assume a new position as Elementary Program Administrator, and will rotate through each of the 3 classrooms on a daily basis to help ensure continuity through our Elementary Montessori experience. Taylor Lancaster will lead one of our Lower Elementary classrooms, and Mia Hanneken will lead the second of our Lower Elementary classrooms. Janice Lilly and Christine Porcayo, assisted by Carmen Gewirth, are slated to lead our Upper Elementary classroom.
Secondary: See note above under Class Sizes and Ratios for 2023-24
Locations
We plan to maintain the same or equivalent classroom spaces for all programs. Each class will have a space appropriate for the number of students enrolled in the class.
COVID-19
We have updated the COVID policy for 2023-24 — for full details, please click here to read the 2023-24 COVID School Action Plan in its entirety.
Billing Change
Academic Calendar
Each year, we work to align our academic calendar with that of Unit 4 and the U of I. We have not finalized our calendar for 2023-24 as we are still waiting for Unit 4 to release its calendar. However, we do not anticipate significant changes from our 2022-23 calendar.
Exciting Changes to Expect in 2023-2024
We plan to return to doing more field trips and bringing in more guest presenters. We also plan to offer more extracurricular opportunities (dependent on family interest and staff availability)!