Academic Policies

Early Childhood-Pre-K 

The school has a well-known Primary Montessori Program for 3, 4, & 5-year olds. The class is taught by a Montessori-Certified teacher with a full-time instructional assistant.

The Montessori method is based on self-directed activities, hands-on learning and collaborative play. In Montessori classrooms children make creative choices in their learning, while the classroom and the highly trained teacher offer age-appropriate activities to guide the process. Montessori instruction embraces these ideas: respect for the child, sensitivity to the stages of growth, a prepared environment, and time for independence and discovery. Beginning a child’s educational journey in a Montessori classroom is an effective way to begin formal education as the teacher determines what the child already knows and guides him/her on from there.

All parents are asked to conference with their child’s teachers at end of first quarter. Pre-K students receive a Progress Report at the end of each semester. Kindergarten students receive a Progress Report at the end of each quarter.

Traditional Classrooms

This year the 5-year olds are taught in a traditional self-contained classroom along with the exception of Computer, Library, and PE. This class has a full-time Teacher's Aide.

First and second grade students are taught in traditional self-contained classrooms with the exception of Computer, Library, and PE. 

Third through fifth grade students are taught in the traditional classroom setting incorporating departmentalized instruction so that each day they have instruction from the strongest teacher in that subject. They also have Computer, Library, and PE.

 All parents are asked to conference with their child’s teachers at end of first quarter. Progress Reports are sent home at the middle of each quarter. Report Cards are sent home at the end of each quarter.

 First-fifth graders take the ITBS (Iowa Test of Basic Skills) in the spring of each year. The results are sent home to parents. The teachers use these results to determine strengths and weaknesses which serve to guide instruction in the future.