Our teachers hold the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) diploma in addition to their undergraduate degrees. The AMI diploma is earned after a full year of study at an AMI Teacher Training Center. The teachers have studied child development, the Montessori Method and philosophy, and the use of the Montessori materials. They have shown their full understanding of the Method by passing a rigorous written and oral examination.A full-time teaching assistant works in each primary classroom. This person complements the activities of the teacher and helps maintain a strong learning environment.We have regular staff meetings. These meetings ensure that our goals for the children remain clear and viable. They also help us give early attention to any problems we may encounter.
ACADEMICS
Young children who attend our AMI accredited schools can learn many academic subjects with ease and joy. The Montessori materials offer the children experiences with phonics, geography, the decimal system, addition, subtraction, geometry, botany, reading, writing, art and other subjects. Because of these excellent academic opportunities children are usually at traditional first or second grade level when they leave our Primary classrooms and enter our Elementary program.Our annual achievement tests reveal that children in our elementary program usually test well above the national average and greatly exceed the local average.
THE CLASSROOMS
Primary
Children of mixed ages (2 1/2 - 6+) are in each classroom. Each child is free to learn at his own level, pace and degree of interest. Younger and older children learn from each other. Each one is both a student and a teacher.The Montessori materials themselves are actually the teachers in the classroom. Each has a specific skill to develop, quality to demonstrate or fact to reveal. The children are very active learners in such a strong and exciting learning atmosphere.
Elementary
The elementary program continues the development of the child through age 12. The child will now use his basic reading and writing skills to research and explore all areas of Science, History, Geography, Music, Art, and will greatly expand his study of Mathematics.
COMPUTER INSTRUCTION
All children in the Lower Elementary and Upper Elementary classes at the Monterey Park school receive computer instruction and training on our many classroom computers. Both classes have an extensive library of computer software.
PARENT INVOLVEMENT
We encourage parents to maintain contact with the school and to participate in many school activities such as field trips, parties, special events and projects. In addition to regularly scheduled conferences, parents are invited to observe, ask questions and offer comments and suggestions at any time. We aim to work together to give the best to each child.Parent Nights are held during the course of the year to share information and expertise in areas where parents express their need for help. We have covered such areas as communication skills, home activities, discipline and the Montessori materials.
Primary