The Upper Elementary Program is the second stage of the six-year Elementary School. It serves students from 9 to 12 years of age, spanning 4th through 6th levels/grades in multi-age, multi-disciplinary classrooms. Upper Elementary offers advanced academic challenges in practical life experiences, language development and research, world language (Spanish), mathematics/geometry, history, geography, biology, chemistry, physics, physical education, and visual and performing arts.
Our multiage classroom allows students from grade 4-6 to collaborate on big projects, to experience being both mentee and mentor, both student and teacher. Like Lower Elementary, the curriculum in Upper Elementary is interrelated and based on Montessori’s Cosmic Curriculum.
At Montessori several areas of the curriculum are constructed as 3-year cycles, which allows for in depth study on many topics. For example in the area of world history the students participate in year-long studies of Ancient Civilizations, Middle Ages and Renaissance and US History. In science, the students complete a three-year rotation of Biology, Chemistry/Physics and Anatomy/Environmental Science.
All other subjects, such as Algebra, Geometry, and Language Art, are individualized. Because students at this age are moving toward abstraction, they have the best of both worlds—concrete Montessori materials when they are needed and the freedom to move ahead quickly as they master a concept/skill.
The language arts program emphasizes the reading of both fiction and nonfiction works and devotes extensive time to the development of writing and research skills. The mathematics and geometry curriculum continues to develop students' understanding of basic mathematical operations and geometry, introducing algebraic equations, logic, and statistics. Hands-on experiences are used to create tangible examples of complex mathematical concepts. The science curriculum explores energy, plants, animals, and environmental education with an emphasis on discovery opportunities. Technology is integrated into the curriculum using computers in the classroom.
Students begin to work in large groups and enjoy many class activities, including the Upper Elementary camp out. After careful planning and preparation, the Upper Elementary student is exposed to important leadership, social, and intellectual skills as they prepare for these outings. Each student’s awareness of the needs of the greater community is developed through a focus on service opportunities.
The Montessori Upper Elementary program is different than traditional fourth-sixth grade classrooms. Opportunities abound for students to follow their interests and passions through research, to take charge of their own planning and to present their research to the school community. Executive functions, such as organization and time management, skills are a focus in Upper Elementary. This allows the students to grow in their ability to set and achieve goals and become even more independent in their self-direction.
The classroom environment coupled with an individualized education plan for each student, low student to teacher ratios (12:1), amazing Montessori materials and highly-trained staff, make Montessori Pathways an excellent choice for the 9-12 year old child.
