Primary: ages 3-6

The Primary Classrooms

Our primary Montessori classrooms are designed for children three through six years of age. The classroom provides a place where children have freedom to choose their activities within a carefully prepared and enriching environment. The children may independently explore the use of the materials, may move freely throughout the classroom to socialize with their friends, and feel safe within the limits of the classroom guidelines. The classroom is both a very peaceful place and a dynamic learning environment.

The children attend the school five days a week, as the consistency of going to school each day increases the children’s security with the classroom and aids the child in developing a self-directed learning style. Parents are asked to consider that this is a three-year commitment to their child’s education, as one year’s work builds on the next in the classroom. The three year program and age span encourages beneficial social interaction, and allows children to develop their skills year by year in the same environment.

Typically, our school day goes something like this:

7:30 a.m - 8:15 am - Morning Care Available

8:15 a.m - 8:30 am - Primary Drop-Off - walk to gate

8:30 a.m - 11:30 am - 3 hour work cycle begins - includes morning snack

11:30 a.m - 12:15 p.m - Lunch

12:15 p.m - 1:00 p.m - Forest & River Room outdoor time

12:45 p.m - 1:00 p.m - Half day pick up at Forest room red gate

1:00 p.m - 2:30 p.m - Afternoon work cycle and nap for younger children

2:30 p.m - 2:45 p.m - Prepare for dismissal

2:45 p.m - 3:00 p.m - Afternoon pick up, River room and nap room in the main lobby, Forest room outdoor red gate

2:45 p.m - 4:30 p.m - Aftercare available - includes afternoon snack

Our Teaching Staff

All of our Guides are trained professionals with Montessori (AMI) Diplomas. They are mature adults who come from a wide variety of backgrounds. They are professionals who are truly dedicated to the growth and development of each individual child, and work hard to offer the children a rich and supportive learning environment. Also see Faculty and Staff.

The Parent’s Role

Parents are a very important part of the school community. Each year we offer Parent Education nights, covering a wide variety of topics. Parent and Teacher Conferences occur twice during the year, and teachers are available at other times to discuss your child’s progress and development.

To keep our school running smoothly, each family also chooses from a list of “School Operational Support” (SOS) jobs. These range from fundraising to yard work to doing the weekly class laundry. Parents are welcome to observe the classroom and may be asked to share a special skill, profession, or artifacts from your cultural tradition or the natural world. Parents may fill out a Parent Volunteer form so that our staff knows what you are willing to share or help with. Our community is supportive and friendly, and families find being a part of McMinnville Montessori School to be an enriching experience for everyone.