Elementary Program

The elementary students are led by the following teaching team: Joyce Ryan, Michelle Johnson, and Lindsey Waters.

At the elementary level, the independence that has been introduced and cultivated at the toddler and primary levels is truly put to the test. At this point, the children are capable of a great deal of independent work, and are encouraged to choose work responsibly and cover multiple areas of the curriculum on a daily basis. The elementary classroom is a place for individual, independent, uninterrupted study with a wide variety of teaching materials designed to challenge the student to discover and think for him or herself. As always, the teachers observe and monitor the progress of each child in the classroom to make sure he or she is working to potential and receiving new lessons when ready.

At the elementary level, numerous all-day field trips and outdoor explorations are incorporated into the learning and growing process. During the winter, the children travel to Ski Butternut every Friday to spend the day receiving instruction in skiing and snowboarding, practicing their newfound skills, and communing with fellow students, teachers and parent chaperones. During the fall and spring, the elementary students take part in other physical activities, including tennis, golf and hiking.

They are also encouraged to take part in opportunities for outreach in the community, including singing with local seniors (Music for Life), and to develop ideas for charity fundraisers and community-building activities. Social awareness on local and global levels are fostered through our history curriculum and our participation in the Montessori Model United Nations simulation in New York.