Summary

Contact Info

Cholla Montessori
2243 E University Dr
Mesa , AZ 85213-8315
www.chollamontessori.com/

Tel: (480) 733-3830

Director: Victoria Best, Director
info@chollamontessori.com

Admissions Director:
Victoria Best

General Approach to Learning

Play-based

Play-based with some structure

Predominantly teacher-led instruction

Montessori

Waldorf

Co-op

Reggio-Emilia

Application Information

Applications accepted

While child is in utero

Wait list

No

Deadline for applications

Rolling

Key Statistics

Total enrollment

35

Student/teacher ratio

4:1

Age cutoff for enrollment

1 months

Extended day

Yes

School year

Year round program

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

Field Elementary, Montessori Education Center, International Montessori School, Keller Elementary, Montessori Educ Ctr North

Survey Information

Director survey: Yes

Savvy Source survey: Yes

General Info

Basic Stats

Total enrollment

35

Student/teacher ratio

4:1

Established

2000

% of teachers with:

- Bachelors

20%

- Masters

10%

- Teaching credentials

50%

- CPR

65%

- First aid

75%

Transportation and Drop-off Policies

Transportation

- Parents bring their children to and from school

- Located close to public transportation

Dropoff Procedure

- Parents walk their child into the classroom

Late Pickup Policy: may include a fee

Features of the Preschool

Provide a third year	Yes
• The third year includes more exposure to Montessori lessons and activities, as well as more Kindergarten readiness activities.

Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program

No

Affiliated with a religious institution

No

Some experience serving children with special needs

No

Accreditation, Membership & Awards

Accreditation by the National Association of Young Children

No

Other Accreditations

International Montessori Society

Facilities Include:

Classrooms (with bathroom attached)

Classrooms (with kitchenette attached)

Music room

Art room

Library

Playground

Director's Comments

Question to director: Do you have any additional thoughts on what parents should consider when looking at your school? Is there any advice that you would like to provide to prospective parents?
We offer small groups and a rotation schedule- children do not have to stay in one classroom all day, which enhances their enjoyment of the program, curriculum and structure.

School Philosophy & Day in the Life

School Philosophy and Mission

"Cholla Montessori is an exciting program for children of all ages. Our curriculum combines the effective Montessori method with traditional activities to provide children with a balanced educational experience. Our program is designed to be responsive to the individual and address the specific needs of the "whole child"while rturing the Montessori's "naturalized child".
"
Excerpted from the preschool's website

Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School

We utilize the rare but exciting Rotation Schedule- children are able to rotate to the different classrooms and maximize their experiences!

Curriculum & Teaching Approach

General Approach to Learning

Play-based

Play-based with some structure

Predominantly teacher-led instruction

Montessori

Waldorf

Co-op

Reggio-Emilia

Director's Comments

We try very hard to balance the structure with the freedom, which was Montessori's original goal.

Curriculum and Teaching Approach


Language			YES
Oral language	-	-	n/a
Nursery rhymes, poems, songs	-	-	n/a
Storybook reading	-	-	n/a
Emerging literacy skills	-	-	n/a

Cognitive Development			n/a
Math and number sense	-	-	YES
Time & space	-	-	YES
Sci. reasoning/physical world	-	-	YES
Music	-	-	YES

Visual arts	-	-	YES
Physical activity	-	-	YES

Other subjects taught	Montessori lessons and activities		n/a

Director's Comments

Our goal is to provide children with the foundation of the philosophy that learning is a fun, valuable lifelong jorney

Quality of Teaching

Director's Comments on Individualized Teaching

Individualized Teaching

Description of how teachers work with children who are
"behind," "excelling" or "different" from the majority of students

The teachers provide individual attention and activities for children who are special needs or exceptional learners. The Acting Director provides support to the teachers to allow them to teach for a variety of learners- visual, auditory, tactile.

Home School Connection

Director's Comments

We provide a detailed written Daily Report as well as a Readiness assessment. We also provide ongoing face to face communication

Separation

Beginning of the year separation is handled through:
- Pre-entry meetings with parents at school
- Extra staff dedicated to handle separation
- Parents in classroom early on

Director's and Parents' Comments

Director's Comments

We provide extra individual attention to children with separation anxiety, as well as additional communication with parents. We also permit comfort items and visits from the parents (Open Door ploicy) if requested.

Discipline, Health and Safety

Overview

Director's Description of Approach Toward Discipline

We adhere to the requirements of the licensing board. We do NOT permit the use of corporal punishment. We use redirection, notes home, brief time out, distraction, discussion, and understanding and communication.

Director's Response to a Sample Discipline Scenario

Description of how teachers handle the following scenario: Child A and Child B are good friends and usually play together. One day, Child A decides to play with Child C and tells Child B, 'I don't want to play with you today. I'm playing with Child C instead.'

The teacher would offer the children an idea about working together so thta no one is excluded. We highlight to the children that we are all friends and can generally wprk and play together. We discuss feelings and model empathy.

Food Allergies

- We do not allow certain foods in the classroom

- We ask parents to provide child-safe snacks for their allergic child

- Posted Modified Diets

Medications

- We keep their medication on hand at all times

Ages, Schedule & Tuition

Ages, Class Size, Days & Tuition

Ages	Class Size	Days	Tuition
From 1 months to 5 years 11 months	4		$145/Week

Extended Care

- This school does have extended care

Notes on Schedule and Extended Care

Notes

Ou full time rate allows attendance of up to 8 hours per day 5 days per week. Extended care is only 2.00 per hour.

Calendar Year

School Year

Year round program

Application & Admissions

Application Process

Applications are accepted: While child is in utero

There is no wait list for upcoming school year.

Parent visits tours are: Recommended

Child interview process: Possible, at school's discretion and takes the form of small group setting

Parent interview process: Director-parent

Deadline for applications: Rolling

Application fee: $0

Admissions Process

Acceptance criteria: First-come basis

Notification occurs: Immediately

Parents must submit deposit within the following timeframe of receiving notification of acceptance: 1 week

Financial aid is available.

Age/Child Requirements

Child must be 1 months to enroll.

Child does not need to be potty trained to enroll.

Director's views on diversity:
Diversity is a valuable asset to any school, social or educational encvironment

Kindergarten Placement & Tips

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

Field Elementary, Montessori Education Center, International Montessori School, Keller Elementary, Montessori Educ Ctr North