San Jose Montessori

Children advance at their own pace and presented with lessons they are ready for. All instruction is individual or in small groups.

We are a traditional Montessori school. As such we provide an environment rich with activities that advance the development of the whole child. We believe that children need freedom to explore and interact with each other and that they have a natural desire to learn and gain independence. Our environment is attractive, orderly, and full of purposeful activites that help develope control and coordination, independence, social interaction and problem solving skills, as well as academic skills. Each child progresses at his or her own pace, and all instruction is done individually or in small groups.

Our classrooms are communities with children 3 to 6 year old working in the same environment, choosing their own activities from activities that were presented to them by a trained Montessori guide. In the beginning of the year we start the day with music in a group, but children are free to choose to do other activities. Most of the year the children come in the morning, greet each other and the teachers and go to choose their individual activities. They enjoy at least three hours of uninterrupted work period. A few children at a time can choose to do outdoor activities such as gardening with our outdoor teacher. During the morning session, a teacher reads books, poetry, and plays a variety of games with small groups of children that choose to join in that activity. The children get snack and receive lessons on the materials and activities they are ready for. The classroom include a variety of activities that develop the child's focus of attention, control and coordination, sensory exploration, language, mathematics, geography, biology, music and social interaction skills.
At about 11:30 the children go out to play while some remain and set the tables for lunch. The children eat their lunch between 12:15 and 12:50 and go out to play after lunch until about 1:15 when some of the children are picked up. The remaining children are either napping, resting, or staying for the extended day class of the Kindergarten age children.
As the children get up from their nap or rest, and for the children who stay till our closing time, 5:30 pm, the day continues in our Montessori way. Additional activities such as a nature walks on the school grounds and baking activities are added for the children who stay all day.

We have a special orientation program for the new children, and parents are encouraged to visit with their child, meet the teachers and play on the playground before starting school. If despite such preparation children have separation anxiety, we allow parents to stay in the classroom until their child feels comfortable in this new environment. (This is not very common at our school, most children adjust very well during the orientation.)