Summary

Contact Info

RisingSun Montessori Day School
PO Box 4649
Cave Creek , AZ 85327-4649
www.risingsunmontessori.com/

Tel: (480) 595-5437

Director: Mara N F Gossack
info@risingsunmontessori.com

Admissions Director:
Mara N F Gossack

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

After a face-to-face meeting at the school

Deadline for applications

Rolling

Key Statistics

Student/teacher ratio

1:8

Age cutoff for enrollment

2 years and 8 months

Extended day

No

School year

8/25/2009 - 5/21/2010

Summer Program

5/31/2010 - 7/30/2010

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

Black Mountain Elementary, Desert Sun Elementary, Bella Vista, Foothills Academy, Rancho Solano

Parent Ratings

Parents at this school would recommend this school to other parents.

Quality of teaching

Development of social skills and work habits

Home-school connection

Parent community

Discipline

Facilities

Health

Safety

Handling of separation

Survey Information

Number of parents surveyed: 2

Director survey: Yes

Savvy Source survey: Yes

General Info

Basic Stats

Student/teacher ratio

1:8

Established

2005

% of teachers with:

- Bachelors

1%

- Masters

1%

- Teaching credentials

3%

- CPR

3%

- First aid

3%

Transportation and Drop-off Policies

Transportation

- Parents bring their children to and from school

Dropoff Procedure

- Teachers/director meet children at their cars and walk the children into the classroom

- 8:00 AM is the earliest time a parent can drop off a child

Features of the Preschool

Provide a third year	Yes
• Our Montessori program encompasses preschool and kindergarten.

Affiliated with a religious institution

No

Accreditation, Membership & Awards

Accreditation by the National Association of Young Children

No

Other Accreditations

American Montessori Society

Facilities

CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (5.0)

Classroom equipment and furniture

Facilities Include:

Classrooms (with bathroom attached)

Classrooms (with kitchenette attached)

Music room

Art room

Library

Playground

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Rising Sun is fortunate to have amazing teachers who possess a wonderful balance between their expectations of self discipline and accountability in the children with such kindness, warmth and understanding. My daughter is just beginning her second year at Rising Sun and loves it. She has learned so much both socially and intellectually - and looks forward to going to school every day.

Parent #2
The teachers are warm and loving. I feel that she is getting the best education there.

School Philosophy & Day in the Life

School Philosophy and Mission

RisingSun Montessori Day School is dedicated to creating a superior environment for young children in the town of Cave Creek, AZ.

We offer an intimate academic and social community insuring that each child gets individual attention in a safe, nurturing setting.

RisingSun Montessori is Creating Community for Children in the Heart of Cave Creek.

Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School

Visit our Classroom Photo Albums at
http://www.risingsunmontessori.com/2009fallalbum.html

Curriculum & Teaching Approach

General Approach to Learning

Play-based

Play-based with some structure

Predominantly teacher-led instruction

Montessori

Waldorf

Co-op

Reggio-Emilia

Social Skills & Work Habits

OVERALL RATING (4.0)

This school has increased my child's:

Ability to listen and follow directions

Ability to sit still for longer periods of time

Ability to be a part of a group of children

Self-sufficiency and independence

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	Yoga, Music, Art, Language, Gardening, Cooking				n/a

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
This is a Montessori program so activities are chosen by the child and completed based on each child's developmental ability. In addition, the teachers are actively involved in assessing where each child is at developmentally and encouraging them to utilize the works in a way that will benefit them. They are also frequently involved in singing, playing the guitar, reading, celebrating, discussing, etc.

Quality of Teaching

Teachers Are:

OVERALL RATING: (5.0)

Full of energy and seemingly happy in job

Patient and affectionate with children

Praises children for accomplishments and good behavior

Provides feedback on what my child does during the day

Shares insights on my child that are helpful and accurate

Identifies my child’s strengths and weaknesses

If necessary, provides additional support to my child during pickup and drop-off

Strikes the proper balance between active and quiet play for children

Home School Connection

Home-School Connection

OVERALL RATING (4.9)

Conducts an open house at start of school year

Conducts a parent-teacher meeting at start of school year

Conducts regular parent teacher conferences

Provides summary of child’s learning at end of year

Provides guidance on developmental goals for the following year

Provides guidance on best Kindergarten and elementary schools

Separation

OVERALL RATING (5.0)

Beginning of the year separation is handled through:
- Extra staff dedicated to handle separation

Drop-in Policy

- During school parents are encouraged to drop-in during specific times

General Parent Education

-This preschool does conduct parent education classes

-This preschool does connect parents with services and activities that can help you help your child develop better at home

Parent Community

COHESIVENESS RATING (4.5)

Parents:

- Are able to visit the school anytime we want

- Volunteer in the classroom

- Hold social events outside of the school (with and/or without children)

Modes of Communication Between School and Home

- Notes

- Phone Calls

- Email

- Special Meetings

- Two or More Regular Conferences

- Drop-Off

- Pick-Up

Discipline, Health and Safety

Discipline

OVERALL RATING (5.0)
Parents' Opinions
Parents at this school, on average, believe that conflicts between children: are handled extraordinarily well in a way that not only gives me confidence in the safety of my child but also reassures me that my child (and his/her peers) are learning the early skills needed to socialize effectively with one another

Health

OVERALL RATING (5.0)

Temperature and overall air circulation is comfortable

Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided

Food Allergies

- We keep special snacks for allergic children

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

Medications

- We keep their medication on hand at all times

- Parent must fill out medication form

Safety

OVERALL RATING (4.0)

Screen and identify all visitors

Parents may not bring sick children to school where they may infect others

Ages, Schedule & Tuition

Ages, Class Size, Days & Tuition

Ages	Class Size	Days	Tuition
From 3 years to 6 years			$0/Week
From 3 years to 6 years			$0/Year
From 3 years to 5 years			$0/Week

Extended Care

- This school does not have extended care

Notes on Schedule and Extended Care

Notes

The school is open for care from 8:00am until 3:30pm only.

Calendar Year

School Year

8/25/2009 - 5/21/2010

Summer Program

5/31/2010 - 7/30/2010

Application & Admissions

Application Process

Applications are accepted: After a face-to-face meeting at the school

Parent visits tours are: Mandatory (in order to receive application)

Child interview process: Required for all applicants and takes the form of director-child

Parent interview process: Director-parent

Deadline for applications: Rolling

Admissions Process

Acceptance criteria: Selective

Notification occurs: Immediately

Financial aid is available.

Age/Child Requirements

Child must be 2 years and 8 months to enroll.

Child must be potty trained to enroll.

Kindergarten Placement & Tips

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

Black Mountain Elementary, Desert Sun Elementary, Bella Vista, Foothills Academy, Rancho Solano