At Ventura Montessori School all our policies are child centered, and we only offer a five-day schedule because we believe a five-day program provides the consistency children (even very young children) need.
Children love to learn by exploring and deeply concentrating on their chosen activities. When learning a new activity, children typically return to the same materials day after day until they master them. By not breaking up the child’s natural learning process we help them develop increased attention span and executive function. Thus we believe a five-day program is in the best interest of your young child.
Children are placed in three-year age groups, promoting an atmosphere of cooperation, teamwork and peer teaching. The Primary classrooms serve students ages 2 ½ through 6. Upon readiness, children move up to the Elementary classroom (ages 6-12).
Our programs emphasize the four traditional Montessori subjects:
- Practical Life – Coordination, concentration, independence, and responsibility
- Sensorial – Observation skills, perceptual discrimination, and judgment
- Language – Vocabulary, listening skills, letter sounds, verbal expression, reading and writing
- Mathematics – Introduction of counting, quantity, grouping, numerical operations, number facts, and abstract computation
The well rounded curriculum also includes yoga, Spanish, music, movement, and gardening.
Beginning school can be a stressful time for children, and parents often seek a two or three day program, believing this will ease their child into the school environment without overwhelming them. At Ventura Montessori School we avoid overwhelming children by providing a consistent, calm, and orderly environment. Our Primary teachers are sensitive to the challenges that beginning school poses to the child, as well as the parents. Your child’s teacher will work with your family to ease the transition.