Where is the MSCU elementary program located?

The lower elementary program (grades 1-3) is housed in the former Christine Rich Dance Studio at 1402 Regency Drive West. The upper elementary program (grades 4-6) is located on the corner of Burwash and Regency Drive at 303 Burwash Avenue. The two buildings are entirely dedicated to serving our elementary students.

What grades does the program serve?

The elementary program serves grades one through six.

How big will the classes be?

During the 2023-2024 school year, approximately sixty students were enrolled in the elementary program. Our Montessori elementary classes consist of mixed-age groups of 1st-3rd graders and 4th-6th graders guided by a lead teacher and a teaching assistant. There are typically between 20-25 students in each classroom, which provides children with an average 12:1 student to teacher ratio. 

Are there prerequisites for entering the Montessori elementary program?

Preference will be given to graduates of MSCU Pre-K and kindergarten, and students with significant Montessori experience. They should be reading and working on math concepts appropriate for their age. Students are expected to demonstrate age-appropriate independence and self-sufficiency. 

What will the curriculum look like?

Our Montessori teachers offer students a combination of assigned work and the opportunity to explore the student’s topics of interest. The curriculum is separated into 3 areas of study: math, language, and cultural studies. Cultural studies encompasses physical and life science, earth science, history, and world cultures. The majority of academic work and direct instruction occurs during a 3-hour block of uninterrupted time in the morning.   

Creative writing and research skills become important in the elementary level. Reading is integrated into the curriculum, as children are introduced to poetry, folktales, non-fiction, and classic literature.  Word study includes concepts such as antonyms, synonyms, homonyms, as well as the parts of speech.

The Montessori math materials quickly move students to an abstraction of math concepts, including problem solving, the 4 operations, fractions, graphing, measurement, and algebraic equations. Experimentation with the geometric materials leads students to their own discoveries of spatial relationships, including congruence, symmetry, and equivalency.

Students will explore the life and physical sciences through experimentation and independent research. History of world civilizations and geographic concepts will be explored through reading material, dynamic hands-on activities, and projects.