Elementary School Programs:                                 >>more

Multi-age classrooms - K-6th grades
Age Groupings: 5yrs or 5-6yrs, 6 – 9yrs, and 9 -12yrs

CMP integrates Montessori teaching and philosophy with CA standards to provide an enriched dynamic curriculum for elementary age students. Students work in a variety of kinesthetic ways, internalizing information as they build academic skill, self confidence and self discipline. They work at their own level, challenged and inspired by their own success.

We offer all day Kindergarten which is paced to meet individual developmental needs.

Middle School Program
Multi-age classrooms – 7- 8 grades
Age Groups: Between 12-16yrs.

According to Joan Lipsitz, a leading adolescent psychologist, “Young adolescents undergo more changes during the middle school years than at any other age except for the time between birth and age 3. If the social and emotional needs of children this age are ignored, little happens cognitively.” Part of the Montessori philosophy is to consider the unique developmental stages of adolescent students in order to support their changing needs.

In addition to acquiring core academic information, Montessori Middle school students extend their grasp and stock of abstract interpretive concepts. Our students use a form of Socratic discussion to learn to interpret core data in terms of the social and environmental issues of the world, past and present.

Classes are taught in cycles of 6 weeks durations. Each cycle emphasizes a specific and part of the curriculum. During the last week of each cycle, the students participate in “immersion week” in which they spend time away from the school doing applicable hands-on learning in the real world.

Class structure is based on collaborative learning and research based projects. Technology based multi-media is integrated throughout this type of learning. This guides each student to develop their own abilities to become highly effective young adults.

General Features:

Campus Size:
CMP seeks an optimum campus size of 250 students. Small campus size maintains a community atmosphere enhancing the learning process.

Independent Learning:
Student independence is encouraged in a Montessori environment. Students are asked to make choices and to take on much of the responsibility for their own learning. An independent learner does not wait for the rest of the group to catch up or expect everyone else to be doing the same thing. Independent learners move at their own pace and if they are struggling other students will offer help. They become “teachers” in this regard. Independence is seen as a life skill necessary for survival as an adult.

Multi-Age Classrooms:
One of the benefits of a multi-age classroom is that a sense of democracy is developed. Accelerated learners have the chance to be teachers, and the challenged learner has the opportunity to succeed by way of peer tutoring. Friendships grow from these experiences, and self-esteem is heightened. Classrooms develop a supportive family atmosphere.