Curriculum
Under the careful guidance of the schools Board of Trustees and Head of School, the Montessori School of Westminster adheres to the fundamental principles of the Montessori Method of learning. The school works under a nine month academic year corresponding closely to that of the Carroll County public schools. All classes meet five days per week. The school contains three Primary classes serving students age 3 through grade K, three Lower Elementary classes comprised of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders, one Upper Elementary class for 4th, 5th, and 6th graders and one Middle School class for 7th, 8th and 9th grade students. Optional before and after school care programs are available for families as well.
In a Montessori classroom, Directresses are present to guide children as they discover the world and seek knowledge. All Directresses at the Montessori School of Westminster have Bachelor’s degrees as well as postgraduate education specifically in the methods of a Montessori education. The school is very proud of the rich and diverse backgrounds these Directresses bring to the classrooms through their expertise in such disciplines as Biology, Art, Reading, Mathematics, and more. At the Montessori School of Westminster, the Directresses truly understand and embrace the importance and special nature of the learning environment provided here.
For more information about our curriculum, please click on any subject below:
- Language Program
The Language Program is based upon a Whole Language Approach. Linguistic/phonetic approaches are also utilized based on the needs of the individual child. Shared reading, monitored reading and individual silent reading are all part of the Reading Program. A sequenced method is used to teach the formation of letters. Writing skills are reinforced through student observation and reporting in all areas of study. A sequenced spelling method is used to take the child through all regular and irregular English words.
- Math Program
The Math Program is taught through a structured method involving the manipulation of concrete materials, moving the child gradually toward abstraction. Materials guide the child from addition and subtraction into pre-algebraic principles and basic geometry skills.
- Science Program
The Science Program, basic Biology, including Zoology and Botany, are presented in impressionistic, tangible lessons. Earth Science, Physical Science, including the Solar System, are included in the Program.
- Geography
The study of Geography begins with the Land and Water forms of the earth, of the child’s continent, of the child’s country and the child’s region. Montessori stresses the interdependence of life forms and economies and the peaceful coexistence between all peoples. Physical geography is combined with the study of Economic geography and the interdependency of people.
- Music and Movement
Music and Movement are presented through the Kodaly Method, as well as Montessori Bells. This is a Music Literacy Program using solfege and pentatonic scale with folk songs to teach specific sequenced elements of music. Some of the instruments used in the Program are the xylophone, recorder, harp, keyboards, guitar, autoharp and voice.
- Art
Art is integrated into the classroom work. In the Graphic Arts the children move through the various forms, for example, from printmaking to watercolors, as reinforcements for the different courses of study.
During teacher training, Montessori teachers prepare Albums on each subject, which are the total accumulation of training lectures and presentations. New materials and subject matter may be added when necessary, following the basic Montessori Method of presentation. The teacher continues to learn with each presentation and seeks to enrich and improve the classroom experience whenever possible.
- Primary Education
Primary Education
Serving students age 3 through grade K ... 8:30 – 11:30Two Primary classrooms, each with a Montessori trained Directress and classroom Aid, serve Primary students. Each classroom hosts a full array of Montessori tools specifically designed to guide the child through exploration and investigation. Learning in a Montessori School of Westminster classroom is both exciting and challenging, yet in an environment that is calm, respectful and nurturing. The renown, Montessori three year teaching cycle helps develop within the child a level of comfort and expectation that encourages attention and participation during each stage of learning and increases retention of knowledge as the child moves on at his own pace.
- Lower & Upper Elementary
Lower & Upper Elementary
Serving students in grades 1 through 6 ... 8:30 – 3:00Designed specifically to follow a student as they progress, a Montessori School of Westminster Elementary class continues to offer multi-sensory tools that guide the children to seek knowledge, formulate concepts and encourage internal self-discipline. The focus remains on the child’s learning – not the teacher’s teaching. This process, when offered in a calm and respectful environment unleashes the child’s ability to develop and learn naturally without restriction and at a pace that allows him to build confidence as he progresses. Both individual and group instruction with an emphases on cognitive structures and social development further helps the child to advance. Every activity, tool, instruction and method utilized in a Montessori School of Westminster classroom is strategically designed to support the student and help develop his own interests and abilities to their fullest.
- Middle School
Middle School
Serving students in grades 7, 8, and 9 ... 8:30-3:00An integration of the Montessori philosophy and current research in adolescent development, the Middle School of the Montessori School of Westminster provides students the opportunity to be self-confident and self-motivated. A specially designed multi-cycle system helps students to develop organizational, time management and decision making skills as well as seek academic knowledge. Special projects, overnight trips, and ‘immersion periods’ devoted to specific areas of study are all just part of a learning process developed especially for Middle School age students with a Montessori educational background. Here, students work together and separately to navigate learning as they are unveiling the adult citizens they will become. Students in this program belong to a community, learn to be adaptable, and to be academically competent, challenged and accountable. Each student is encouraged to create and nurture a vision is supported in an environment that is safe, calm, academically challenging and socially responsible.
- Before School Care
Before School Care
(all ages) ... 7:00-8:30 - Montessori Full Day Primary
Montessori Full Day Primary
(ages 4-6) ... 11:30-3:00(for those 4 & 5 year olds ready for a continuation of our primary curriculum)
- After School Care
After School Care
Napping program is designed for ages 2 years to 4+ years ... 11:30am-3:00pm. Please contact the office for daily options, space availability and/or an application.After School Care is offered to the entire student body. Beginning at 3 pm, this service is availabe through 6 pm Monday--Friday. Please contact the office for daily options, space availability and/or an application.
SCHEDULE
11:30 am Lunch
12:00 pm Free Play
12:30 pm Napping Preparation
12:45 pm Story Time
1:05 pm Napping Session Begins
2:35 pm Wake Up/Clean Up
2:45-pm Sing-a-long/Free Play
3:00-3:10 Carpool Pick-up
3:00-6pm After School Care
The school is approved by the Maryland Department of Education and is accredited by the Association of Independent Maryland Schools (AIMS – www.aimsde.org) and is affiliated with the American Montessori Society.
The school is completely non-sectarian; that is, there is no religious content included in the curriculum at any level. Students from all religions, races, and family backgrounds are welcome to explore the benefit of an education at the Montessori School of Westminster.
