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Junior & Senior Elementary
GRADES 1 – 6
Experience is key for the intensification of the instruction given inside the school.
– Maria Montessori
Dearcroft Elementary Program
Our Elementary classes (both Junior and Senior) are led by dynamic teams of highly experienced and dedicated teachers. Our three year classroom structure allows for students to have consistency, challenge and most importantly individualized instruction.
During the three year cycle of their academic development in their classroom, our students gain confidence, self-esteem and an impressive level of independence. Their maturity, sense of global awareness and overall citizenship is nurtured and strengthened by their multi-aged experience. In addition to the development of academic skills, this wonderfully stimulating environment fosters creativity, confidence and impressive leadership skills.
Junior Elementary Grades 1-3
The Elementary Program continues to build on the foundation established in the Pre-School program, and centres around the Montessori concept of a cosmic curriculum. Aided by a curious mind, developing imagination and the ability to absorb large amounts of information, the child begins to learn about the universe and your child’s place in it.
Careful attention is paid to the development of language and mathematical skills. These abilities assist in the study of the interrelated curriculum areas of history, geography, science and ecology. Interest and enthusiasm fuel the development of research skills and help children become independent learners.
As Oakville’s original Montessori School, Dearcroft is also fully accredited with the CCMA (Canadian Council of Montessori Administrators). This rigorous process requires schools to submit to an extensive examination of all procedures, staff qualifications and curriculum outlines to assure strict CCMA standards are met.
Senior Elementary Grades 4-6
Elementary programs benefit from team teaching, with a maximum ratio of 15 students per teacher. Spacious, well-equipped and inviting, our classrooms offer a comfortable and inspiring learning environment. Our enriched Senior Elementary Montessori curriculum meets and exceeds Ministry of Education standards and includes Athletics, French, Music and instruction in the Arts.
Our balanced, integrated lessons offer a comprehensive and exciting education in all academic disciplines. Mathematics, Language and Cultural subjects including History, Geography, Zoology and Botany are augmented by extensive exposure to Grammar, Geometry and Canadian Studies. Our knowledge of Canada is further supported by Dearcroft’s unique Expedition Education program.
During the three year cycle of their academic development in their classroom, our students gain confidence, self-esteem and an impressive level of independence. Their maturity, sense of global awareness and overall citizenship is nurtured and strengthened by their multi-aged experience. In addition to the development of academic skills, this wonderfully stimulating environment fosters creativity, confidence and impressive leadership skills.
Our Senior Elementary students participate in a number of experiential education field trips, one of which is the annual Winter Trip. This 4-day excursion rotates yearly and includes destinations such as Ottawa, Quebec City and outdoor education destinations set in Ontario’s wilderness.
Semi-annual reporting, parent/teacher conferences and annual standardized testing ensure the optimal development of each student’s individual potential.
The secret of good teaching is to regard the child’s intelligence as a fertile field in which seeds may be sown, to grow under the heat of flaming imagination.
– Maria Montessori
How Montessori Elementary Defers from the Traditional Education Stream
Rather than following the traditional approach of presenting facts as belonging to individual subjects, we use the Great Lessons to present a holistic vision of knowledge, building the subject skills into each topic or theme. Reading, Writing, Geography, Science, and History as all studied in cultural contexts. We take children from whole to the parts and back to the whole again.
What Makes Our Elementary Programs Unique?
- Students have a strong sense of global awareness and peace education.
- We empower students to become responsible, productive, and caring citizens that is nurtured and strengthened by their multi-aged experience.
- A comprehensive understanding of environmental stewardship.
Goals of the Program:
- Our classrooms are prepared environments that are structured to allow for the students to have consistency.
- Our students are challenged with individualized programming tailored to their specific need.
- During the three-year cycle of their academic development in the classroom, our students gain confidence, self-esteem and an impressive level of independence and learning.
- Student maturity, sense of global awareness and overall citizenship is nurtured and strengthened by their multi-aged experience.
- Both our Junior and Senior Elementary classes participate in a number of experiential education field trips.
In addition to our classroom instruction, we offer:
- French
- Physical Education
- Music
- Art
- Mindfulness
- Experiential Outdoor Educational Trips