Louisville Montessori School is open year round. We offer flexible schedules of five, four or three days per week for those in preschool and a five day per week kindergarten class. The academic year follows the Boulder Valley School Calendar. Childcare is available for children in our all day program or for an extra fee on most school holidays for those choosing the academic year. A calendar is given at the beginning of the school term.
The school day begins with the children being dropped off at school and enjoying the spacious playground, weather permitting. Each class time begins and ends with the classroom community participating in large group activities. During the preschool and kindergarten time, the teachers give individual and small group lessons and guide the children in their exploration of the Montessori learning environment. The children are encouraged to make choices from the many learning materials according to their interests, to focus and concentrate, to work independently and in small groups in order to satisfy their own learning needs.
We offer the following programs:
Morning Preschool 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Afternoon Preschool 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
AM or PM Preschool + Lunch 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Extended Day 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
All Day Program 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Please click here to see a detailed daily schedule.
Children come into the classroom at 8:45 AM, hang up their coats, wash their hands and come to our large group circle time. At these times we take attendance, talk about the day's weather, calendar, share news, and discuss topics we are are studying. Children are then dismissed from this group time to start their uninterrupted work time. During this period of time children choose activities from the Montessori learning areas and receive one on one or small group lessons from the classroom teachers. Another large group time occurs at the end of the preschool time during which we hold "author's chair" so children who have written stories may share them, music, songs and large motor movement activities, and read stories. We then get ready to go home or to stay for lunch. The afternoon preschool and kindergarten class follow this same format. The kindergarten children come together in the their afternoon class for more academic work in math and language, science and cultural areas and extensions in the sensorial, practical life and art areas.
We offer a drop off/pick up time which we call "gate time". Morning drop off occurs between 8:15 and 8:30 AM. Afternoon drop off is from 12:45 to 1:00 PM. Pick up times are 11:15 to 11:30 AM and 3:45 to 4:00 PM. Staff members help your child in and out of their car seats. This is done for parents' convenience and for a smooth transition to school; you are always welcome to park your car and bring your child into the school.
Snacks are served during class times, after nap and in the late afternoon. Nutritious meals, prepared by our cook, are served to children staying for lunch. Children may also bring their own lunches if desired. The younger children stay in their classrooms to have lunch with their teachers. The older children go to the multipurpose room for their lunch. All lunches are served and then food is passed family style to learn table manners and how to care for others during mealtime. Quiet conversation is encouraged during meals so that meal time is a pleasant experience for all.
We are a nut free school and we work closely with parents whose children have special dietary needs.
Our summer program offers the same schedule as above and begins immediately following the close of the academic year. A theme is set each summer and we spend more time outdoors. The Montessori classroom learning environment is available to the children each day. We have small gardens outside the classrooms for planting vegetables and flowers. Close by open space provides wonderful opportunities for nature walks.
Extra curricular classes are offered before or after class time. Our school contracts with outside teachers who offer classes including dance, art, music, spanish and soccer. This is done for parents convenience and provides students with other experiences during the school week. Parents pay additional class fee to these teachers.