HILLTOP MONTESSORI SCHOOL

TODDLER PROGRAM - THE SCHOOL OFFERS EITHER A PART-TIME OR FULL-TIME TODDLER PROGRAM. TODDLERS HAVE DAILY INSTRUCTION IN THE FOUNDATIONS IN READING, MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE, GEOGRAPHY, FOREIGN LANGUAGE, AND PRACTICAL LIFE. THE TODDLERS RANGE IN AGES FROM EIGHTEEN MONTHS THROUGH AGE THREE AND EVEN AT THIS LEVEL, THEY MOVE THROUGH A SET CURRICULUM AT THEIR OWN PACE, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF CERTIFIED INSTRUCTORS. ALL STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN OUTDOOR CLASSROOM AREAS THAT INCLUDE GARDENING AND COOKING. SIGN LANGUAGE IS ALSO TAUGHT AS PART OF THE CURRICULUM.PRESCHOOL/KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM - THE SCHOOL OFFERS A PRIMARY/PRESCHOOL PROGRAM, EITHER FOR A HALF DAY OR FULL DAY FOR CHILDREN AGES THREE THROUGH SIX. THE STUDENTS REMAIN IN THE SAME CLASSROOM, WITH THE SAME INSTRUCTOR, FOR A FULL THREE YEAR CYCLE. CHILDREN WORK THROUGH THE CURRICULUM AT THEIR OWN PACE AND ARE EXPOSED TO FOUNDATIONS IN MATH, READING, GRAMMAR, GEOMETRY, ALGEBRA, BOTANY, ZOOLOGY, AND GEOGRAPHY. READINESS GOALS AND FORMAL ASSESSMENTS OCCUR THROUGHOUT THE STUDENTS PROGRESS WITH PREPARATION FOR AN ACCELERATED FIRST GRADE PROGRAM AS THE PRIMARY GOAL. STUDENTS AT THIS AGE ALSO PARTICIPATE IN MUSIC EDUCATION, IN ADDITION TO DAILY SPANISH INSTRUCTION. PRIVATE PIANO AND VIOLIN LESSONS ARE OFFERED AT AGE FOUR AND ONCE CHILDREN ARE IN KINDERGARTEN, THEY PARTICIPATE IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASSES AND FIELD TRIPS. ALL STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN OUTDOOR CLASSROOM AREAS THAT INCLUDE GARDENING AND COOKING.ELEMENTARY PROGRAM ? THE SCHOOL'S ELEMENTARY PROGRAM IS COMPRISED OF LOWER ELEMENTARY (FIRST THROUGH THIRD GRADE) AND UPPER ELEMENTARY (FOURTH THROUGH SIXTH GRADE). STUDENTS AT THIS LEVEL ARE ALSO INVOLVED IN THREE YEAR CYCLES, WHERE THEY ARE IN THE SAME CLASS WITH THE SAME INSTRUCTOR FOR THE FULL CYCLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE STUDENTS BEGIN FORMAL INSTRUCTION IN COMPUTER SCIENCE, FINE ARTS, MORE ADVANCED MUSIC INSTRUCTION, AND CONTINUE WITH PHYSICAL EDUCATION. CHESS, LIFELABS, PRESCHOOL ART EDUCATION, BRICKS FOR KIDS, AND CHINESE LESSONS ARE ALSO OFFERED AS EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM - THE SCHOOL OFFERS A COMBINATION SEVENTH AND EIGHTH GRADE CLASS FOR THE PURPOSE OF TRANSITIONING THE STUDENTS TO SECONDARY EDUCATION. MORE EMPHASIS IS PLACED AT THIS LEVEL ON ASSESSMENTS AND GRADES, AS PART OF A BRIDGE INTO MORE TRADITIONAL EDUCATION FOR THE STUDENT. CHILDREN THAT TYPICALLY PARTICIPATE IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL ARE HEADED TOWARD MORE CHALLENGING SECONDARY PRIVATE SCHOOLS.SUMMER CAMPS - THE SCHOOL OFFERS SUMMER CAMPS THROUGHOUT THE MONTHS OF JUNE AND JULY. STUDENTS DO NOT HAVE TO BE ENROLLED AT THE SCHOOL IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE. THE CAMPS ARE DESIGNED TO INTRODUCE THE STUDENTS TO THE MONTESSORI PHILOSOPHY IN A MORE RELAXED ATMOSPHERE. MOST CAMPS CENTER AROUND EXCITING AND ENGAGING ACADEMIC THEMES IN SCIENCE, MUSIC, FINE ARTS AND OTHER CURRICULUM SUBJECTS.