The Elementary Program
Levels for traditional grades 1 through 6 continue with individualized attention and the Montessori materials but introduce more complex concepts, small group lessons and regular homework. The program remains student-centered, with teachers observing and guiding each child's efforts toward maximum personal success. Montessori elementary children are enthusiastic, engaged participants in their education. Students remain with the same teacher for three years at both lower elementary (traditional grades 1-3) and upper elementary (grades 4-6) levels. The faculty members are full-time. They hold certification from American Montessori Society affiliated training centers or those of Association Montessori Internationale USA. All hold advanced academic degrees.
Elementary students receive small-group instruction for each subject. Outside of these lessons, they are responsible for working independently or with classmates on assignments, group projects or pursuing individual interests.
CVMS has two lower elementary level groups, each with a teacher and an assistant teacher. The classes are limited to twenty students, but we prefer a smaller number.
Because of older elementary children's interest in a larger peer group, we have one upper elementary class with three Montessori-certified teachers and an assistant. Upper elementary students are responsible for nightly homework. This group holds weekly governance meetings to resolve class problems and interpersonal conflicts; plan service events and class fund-raisers. The fifth and sixth levels end their school year with a three- to four-day trip.
Curriculum
Language Arts
This curriculum includes teacher-selected author or genre study and reporting, response journals, Junior Great Books or Literature Circle programs of small discussion groups, literature chosen by the children, publication of a variety of written pieces, spelling and vocabulary work, grammar and handwriting practice.
Mathematics
Lower elementary work involves operations with whole numbers, decimals and fractions; graphing; ratio and proportion; integers; and other traditional elementary math concepts. Upper elementary math and geometry lessons include these as well as hands-on activities with polynomial equations; research of square and cube roots; operations in different base systems; geometric nomenclature; research of areas and volume, and geometric proofs.
Science and Social Studies
This work takes the form of individual or group study involving experiments, research, shared reporting and field trips. Our goal is for the children to acquire an in-depth understanding of major historical periods and to develop basic concepts of science and geography across the six-year cultural curriculum.
Special Instruction
Spanish, physical education, choral and instrumental music, are taught by staff specialists to supplement core subjects. At CVMS, we integrate art into the curriculum, rather than consider it a separate subject.
Computers
Typing, basic programming, word processing, editing and Internet navigation are an integral part of the curriculum at the appropriate levels.
Expert Project
Sixth-graders choose a topic of interest in the fall and study independently and write a substantial research paper during the year. In the spring, they create a Powerpoint presentation to explain their topic and results to fellow students and the parents.
Community Service
Students are involved in projects such as: concerts, legacies, school recycling, class helpers and community volunteer work.
Electives
Choral, band, jazz band and instrumental music lessons are available after school to interested students for an extra fee.
