Programs
Schedule
We begin our school year in September, on the Wednesday after the Labor Day holiday. The remainder of the year generally follows that of the Fallbrook Union Public School District calendar.
All children attend five days a week, either a half day session from 8:30 to 12:30, or a full day session from 8:30 - 3:15. Three and four year olds are given the option of staying all day. We recommend that five year olds stay all day. Elementary classes are from 8:30 - 3:15.
We offer extended care hours from 7:30 to 8:15 a.m. and from 3:15 to 6:00 p.m. for all full day students. We also offer summer programs for children from three to six years old.
Children’s House
Our attractive primary classrooms are a busy and happy place for our 3 to 6 year olds. Guided by their own natural curiosity and interests, children choose among a variety of educational materials. Our primary Montessori teachers facilitate this learning process by introducing new materials and activities as the children are ready for them.
“Practical life” materials teach the children independence, and incorporate the skills necessary to care for themselves as well as their surroundings. All practical life tasks assist in developing fine motor control and in lengthening the children’s growing attention span.
Montessori “sensorial” materials help the children refine their developing senses. By manipulating materials of graduated sizes, colors, weights and textures, children learn how to organize the information that their senses collect.
Math concepts are presented to the child through colorful and precisely crafted manipulative materials. By using these, they can easily and joyfully assimilate many mathematical facts and skills.
Phonics skills are developed using sandpaper letters and the movable alphabet. The child naturally builds reading and writing skills upon this foundation. Many small objects and colorful card materials lead the children step by step to a thorough understanding of the English language and the joys of reading.
Physical geography, science and nature, art and handwork, music, and Spanish are also integral parts of the curriculum.
The children who attend our full day program have extra time for advanced math and language work, as well as science and art projects in the afternoon.
Elementary
The elementary program develops academic achievement through the child’s natural enthusiasm for learning. Within a framework of high academic standards, our programs emphasize creativity, self-discipline and independent decision making.
The morning hours are primarily devoted to the reading, language arts, and math studies. The children work individually and in small groups with materials designed for their particular developmental level. A low student teacher ratio along with individualized curriculum establishes more intimate contact between the child, teacher and the work.
Life sciences, physical science, history, and geography are studied in depth. Dynamic and colorful manipulatives (which materialize abstract principles) are used throughout the curriculum. Subjects also included are music, art, art appreciation, computer technology, Spanish and physical education.
These experiential studies, along with relevant field trips, develop a variety of skills in the children as they explore, research, synthesize and express information they’ve learned in the form of daily journals, timelines, art projects, and research reports.
Extended Day
Extended care is offered from 7:30 to 8:15 a.m. for all students, and from 3:15 to 6:00 p.m. for full day students. Puzzles, games, art activities, outdoor play, and books to read are available for the children who participate in the extended day program.
Summer Programs
We offer summer programs for children ages three to six. They consist of learning experiences in our beautifully prepared Montessori environments with a special emphasis on science, cooking, and outdoor gardening. Story time and other language enrichment and math activities will round out the daily sessions. Outdoor playtime will be provided on a daily basis, weather permitting.