Children’s House
A love of learning.
"I need to see a world outside for myself"
The Children's House classroom is a purposefully structured environment that supports this sensorial learner whose definitive goal remains that of self-construction. The room provides opportunities for the child to work with materials that captivate their attention and have the indirect purpose of supporting their growth toward independence. The child experiences an enriching and nurturing hands-on learning experience, helping them grow in intellectual, emotional, physical and social independence. The child chooses activities from specific work areas in the classroom. Through these activities, children make discoveries in language, math, geography, music and other subject areas. Activities are centered around five focus areas: Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Mathematics and Cultural Subjects.
Practical Life is an area which offers purposeful activities that teach a child how to care for his or her self and the environment in which they live. Within these activities the child is offered the opportunity to choose work based on interest, aiding them in extending and deepening concentration and developing coordinated movements, task orientation, initiative, persistence and confidence in their abilities. These are learning characteristics that lay the foundation for later academic work.
Because the curriculum is individualized, your child can work at his or her own pace while participating in a mixed age classroom community. Your younger child learns by observing the behavior and activities of the older children. Your older child gains self-confidence, leadership skills and responsibility by setting an example for her younger friends.
Mathematics activities at the Children's House level introduce materials designed to isolate individual math concepts. The child explores numbers and their relationships, sequence, mathematical operations and memorization of math facts. The child develops a thorough understanding of the decimal system through the use of manipulative materials. Work with concrete materials in the math area prepares them for higher-level abstract thinking at the next level.
Cultural subjects such as art, music, geography, science and nature are integrated into the curriculum throughout the classroom. The exploration of our culture and of the natural world provides many opportunities for enriching the young mind.
Ready to Join Our Children’s House Program?
Our Children’s House program is designed for children aged 3 year through Kindergarten. Enrollment begins with a tour of our campus, giving you the opportunity to observe the Montessori philosophy in action. Tours are required for all applicants and are a valuable step in understanding our commitment to excellence in early education.
Following your tour, families are invited to submit an application. Enrollment decisions are made each February, and spaces are very limited. To preserve the integrity of the Montessori experience, all families must commit to the completion of the Kindergarten year as part of their enrollment agreement.
Admissions Process
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1
Schedule a School Tour
To begin the admissions process, please schedule a tour of our school. We ask that parents visit the school without children, as this provides an opportunity to fully engage with the program and environment. During the tour, you'll have the chance to observe our classrooms, learn more about the Montessori philosophy, and explore our program offerings, mission statement, and core values.
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Submit Your Application
Once you've decided that St. Croix Montessori School is the right fit for your child, please complete the application form below. A $100 non-refundable fee is required at the time of submission to secure your child’s application.
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Admission Decision
We evaluate each application based on the alignment of the family’s educational goals with our school’s mission. We strive for a balanced classroom environment, considering gender and age diversity, as well as families who are committed to the Montessori program.
Due to high demand, we may implement a waitlist once spaces are filled. If your child is placed on the waitlist, you will be notified as soon as a spot becomes available.
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Commitment to Completion
St. Croix Montessori School values the continuity of the Montessori experience. For Children’s House, this means completing the kindergarten year, and for Elementary, it includes finishing the 6th grade. This continuity ensures a stable learning environment and is essential to maintaining the integrity of our program.
We accept families who are committed to completing the entire Montessori program. If a child does not complete the kindergarten or elementary years, younger siblings may not be accepted for enrollment or re-enrollment.
Acceptance letters are sent out in mid-February. Along with the acceptance, you will receive an Enrollment Contract and instructions to submit a non-refundable $500 tuition deposit. The contract and deposit must be returned within 10 days to secure your child’s place in our program.
