The Academic Program
The Toddler and Primary programs prepare the child for life, not just first grade. The students are given a strong basis in their most formative years for developing habits, skills, and positive attitudes that will stay with them throughout their lives. Children develop independence, initiative, perseverance, curiosity, creativity, and an enthusiasm for learning. The Toddler program is designed to be the first away-from-home experience for most children and is designed for 18 month - 3 year old children who are not yet toilet-trained. Students in the Primary Program are divided into multi-age classrooms consisting of 3,4,and 5 year-old students. The emphasis is on the process of learning. Through the use of carefully prepared materials and activities, children grow in personal independence, concentration, self-discipline, and self-esteem. Activities include beginning skills in reading, writing, language expression, mathematics, geography, nature studies, science, practical living skills, art, music, and creative movement.
Students are divided into multi-age classrooms, which include Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, Middle School, and High School. In addition, Montessori Academy now offers a High School program (grades 9-12) in a blended format of online classes, college classes and hands on experiences.
The curriculum at Montessori Academy is designed to meet the needs of students who are preparing for a secondary/college preparatory education but is flexible enough to meet the needs of students with other goals. Students with special needs are considered for admission as long as no alterations to our curriculum are required. Reasonable accommodations will be made. The student-faculty ratio is approximately 10:1.
The Elementary curriculum incorporates the wide array of Montessori multi-sensory materials, allowing students to explore mathematics, physical science, biology, geography, history, social studies, art and Spanish. The younger children form an impressionistic understanding of the world in which they live which provides the foundation for more advanced learning using reading, writing, calculation, and presentation. As children progress through the Elementary program, their reasoning becomes more abstract and their research becomes more specific. Curriculum also becomes more in-depth with lessons ranging from history of mathematics to chemistry, geometry, algebra and literature.
The Middle School’s curriculum is structured on a two-year continuum. A comprehensive and rigorous curriculum of simulations, projects, and textbooks for history, science, math and language arts provides the core of the Middle School’s academic experience. Each subject is supported by integrated research activities and independent study.
The High School program is a partnership with the PA Leadership Cyber School and area colleges. Students are given a wide range of away of choices for classes featuring live, online teachers and the opportunity to experience the vocational areas they wish to pursue through job shadowing experiences with local businesses. They are also given the opportunity to take credits at local colleges for both high school and college credit.
In addition to the core academic subjects, Montessori Academy of Chambersburg provides Spanish instruction to children ages 18 months through 8th grade. Private instrumental lessons are available during school hours. Athletic programs are coordinated during school hours through various recreational centers in the Chambersburg area. Art instruction is based on the child’s developmental level and the Academy’s cultural studies curriculum. Other athletic, music and art programs are arranged to meet specific classroom curriculum needs.