Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions.1What educational programs do you offer?
We offer two educational programs: a Toddler Program (18 months through 3 years old), and our Primary Program (3 years old through kindergarten). Both programs teach lessons in Spanish and English so a bilingual program is integrated into our Montessori environment throughout the day. In each program, children develop independence, knowledge, and confidence in their abilities.
2What activities do you offer children each day?
Children’s classroom activities are called “work,” as part of our strategy to develop a positive association between school, learning, and work. Teachers incorporate “extracurricular” activities into the classroom, including music, art, and much more! Our teachers give lessons in Spanish and English so a bilingual program is integrated into our Montessori environment every minute of the day.
3What is the school day schedule?
We offer two options for toddlers and primary students. Toddler Program Half-day: 8:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Full day: 8:30 a.m. –3 p.m. Primary Program Half-day: 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Full day: 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
4Do you offer extended care before and after school?
We have not been offering a before-care program because of low-demand. In the past, before-school care began at 7:30 a.m. If your family needs before-care please let us know. We do offer after-school care. Our extended day program (EDP) runs until 5:30 p.m. Parents have different needs for after-care. Some families only need until 4pm; others need until 5pm etc. Parents sign up and pay for EDP in half-hour increments.
5What are your discipline practices?
Dr. Montessori’s philosophy is consistent with ‘Positive’ or ‘Conscious' Discipline Practices. We do not believe in rewards and punishments or “time-outs.” We offer children clear expectations and consistent natural consequences to their actions. We do a lot of role modeling to show children how to use words to express themselves rather than acting out physically. We believe children can understand logic, so we only remove them from situations when aggression occurs.
1Do you offer a summer program?
Yes. We offer a summer program for currently enrolled families. Some families prefer to travel all or part of the 10-week summer break. For this reason, tuition for the summer program is charged at the same rate but is not included in the contract for the 10-month academic year. Our summer program is an extension of our school year. Our program includes some Montessori-related activities, but it has more of a camp-like atmosphere - involving more crafts and water activities.
2Are there any discounts related to the programs?
We offer a sibling-discount. If you have more than one child enrolled in our school, each additional child will receive a 5% discount off tuition. We also offer a 5% discount to families who pay for the whole 10-month academic year in advance.
3How is Montessori different than traditional education?
Montessori children are given the trust and respect to make their own choices and judgments; they receive space to explore their interests at the pace they’re comfortable with. This leads to children who have great self awareness, high self-esteem, and a love of learning and challenges. Montessori children grow into confident, capable adults who love to think “outside the box.” We feel children are capable of amazing things at a younger age than most people consider. We nurture children’s “inner teachers” and allow them to discover their wonderful abilities.
4Who was Dr. Montessori?
Dr. Maria Montessori, who was born in Chiaravalle, Italy in 1870, was the first female physician in her native land. In 1906, she gave up a university chair and her medical practice to work with 60 children in Rome’s San Lorenzo district. This became the first Casa dei Bambini (“Children’s House”), and is where she developed the Montessori method of education. Every piece of equipment and exercise is based on her scientific observations of children’s ability to absorb knowledge from their surroundings and their tireless interest in manipulating their environment—things they do “naturally."
5What is AMI?
Dr. Montessori opened the Montessori Training Centre in Laren, Netherlands, in 1938, and founded a series of teacher training courses in India in 1939. The training center, Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), continues to train teachers around the world today. One of its many objectives is, “Spreading and upholding the pedagogical principles and practice formulated by Dr. Maria Montessori, which ensures the independence of the child’s personality through successive stages of growth until he reaches full normal development by means of his own activity.” Many variations of the Montessori method exist, since it was never copyrighted, and a few have very little to do with Montessori theory or materials. It’s up to parents to explore the different schools to find the right Montessori for their child. A Montessori Primer The Montessori method is something many parents have heard about, but most are unfamiliar with its specifics. Here are answers to some common questions about Montessori. “Free the child’s potential and you will transform him into the world.” –Maria Montessori
1When will Shadowridge Montessori School open?
Shadowridge Montessori School will open on June 1, 2023, the day after All Saints Preschool closes.
2What are the tuition rates?
The tuition rates for Shadowridge Montessori School families currently enrolled at All Saints Preschool will remain the same through the end of Summer 2023. We are currently in the process of surveying schools in the surrounding communities to make sure our rates will be competitive for the new school year. In addition to the tuition fees, there’s a $200 Enrollment fee (waived for current All Saints Preschool) as well as a $200 materials fee.
3Will the school be closed during the transition?
No, our plans are to keep the school open with no interruptions to the operations of the school.
4Will my child receive automatic enrollment from All Saints Preschool to Shadowridge Montessori School?
Yes, your child will receive automatic enrollment at Shadowridge Montessori School.
5Will we need to complete any additional paperwork to enroll our child?
Yes, there will be some paperwork that will need to get completed due to the licensing requirements.
6Will the All Saints Preschool staff and teachers remain the same?
We value all of the amazing All Saints Preschool staff and intend to have them join our team to make this transition seamless for the students. Our highest priority is to provide the best care and education for all the students and to offer a supportive community for our families.
1Do you offer Part-Time schedules?
Yes, we will grandfather all current part-time schedules for all current families.
2Will the school office hours remain the same?
Yes, our school office hours will be 7:00 am – 6: 00 pm on Monday – Friday.
3Will you have spaces available for my current child and new siblings?
Yes, we will have availability for all current and new siblings. We are planning to hire Montessori Trained and Certified teachers along with keeping as many of the current teachers as possible.
4Will Shadowridge Montessori School offer a Spanish immersion program?
Not at this time, however, we are planning to transition to a Spanish Immersion program within the next couple of years.