Primary Program: Ages 3–6
The Primary years are a foundational stage in a child’s development, marked by growing independence, concentration, and a deepening sense of curiosity. At Creative Montessori School, the Primary program offers a carefully prepared environment where children build essential academic, social, and life skills through purposeful, hands-on learning.
In the Primary classroom, children engage in work across Practical Life, Sensorial, Mathematics, Language, Science, Social Studies, Art, French, and Music. Lessons are presented to individuals or small groups, and children choose their work from within a thoughtfully structured curriculum. This approach allows each child to progress at their own pace while developing focus, self-discipline, and a genuine enjoyment of learning.
Montessori-trained teachers carefully observe each child and introduce new lessons when they are developmentally ready. Through uninterrupted work periods and meaningful activity, children build confidence, resilience, and a strong academic foundation.
Parents frequently observe meaningful growth during the Primary and Upper Primary years, including:
- Increased independence and confidence
- Strong concentration and sustained focus
- Emerging leadership and responsibility
- A love of learning and pride in academic progress
- Readiness — academically and socially — for Elementary
Upper Primary represents the culmination of the Montessori Primary experience and supports children as they prepare for the transition to Elementary. Comparable to a traditional kindergarten year, this stage offers an extended learning day that allows for deeper exploration, increased independence, and growing academic responsibility.
During Upper Primary, students engage in an extended afternoon work period focused on lesson extensions, collaborative work, and special interest projects. Children strengthen their ability to plan their work, sustain concentration, and apply skills across subject areas — all within the familiar Montessori environment that supports confidence and continuity.
“The environment must be rich in motives which lend interest to activity and invite the child to conduct his own experiences.” -- Maria Montessori
Toddler
18 months - 3 years
Toddler classrooms at CMS are nurturing and stimulating environments where young children learn through all their senses and begin to develop an interest in exploring the world around them.
Primary
3 - 6 years
In a Primary classroom, the mixed age groups afford the older children the chance to serve as leaders in the classroom, and provide examples for the younger children to learn from and to model in a social and academic setting.
Lower Elementary
6 - 9 yearsIn Lower Elementary classrooms, mixed-age learning encourages curiosity, collaboration, and growing independence, allowing children to build strong academic foundations while learning from and alongside their peers in a supportive community.
Upper Elementary
9 - 12 yearsIn Upper Elementary classrooms, students take on greater ownership of their learning, developing leadership, critical thinking, and confidence as they prepare for the increased responsibility and independence of adolescence.
Secondary
12 - 14 yearsThe Secondary program connects academics to real-world experiences, empowering adolescents to think critically, explore personal interests, and grow into confident, responsible, and engaged learners.