Primary
The Portland Montessori School offers a three-year program for children aged 2.5 to 6 years. This program carries the child through their kindergarten year. These are our Primary classrooms.
Classrooms are mixed-age environments, and they remain in the same class for their whole time in the Primary program. Children build strong bonds with their peers and guides. Older children serve as mentors, modelling behavior and giving lessons to younger members of the class. Younger children benefit from having experienced role models as they move towards mastery during their time in the classroom. These relationships provides children a special opportunity to develop compassion, leadership skills and an attitude of service as they grow and learn.
Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) certified guides help children develop a strong academic foundation built on language skills, math, geography, science, music and art. They also help them acquire practical life skills such as caring for themselves and their classroom environment. By design, the Montessori classroom sparks curiosity, while promoting learning, self-discipline, independence and responsibility.
A guide and a dedicated assistant lead each Primary classroom, working together to provide each child the individualized guidance they need to reach their fullest potential. At the end of their kindergarten year, children transition naturally into our Elementary program.
"We've been a part of this amazing community for seven years. Not only are our children getting a fabulous education, but they receive personal care and attention every single day."
"As the mom of identical (yet nothing alike) twins, we wanted a school community that would nurture their individual curiosities and interests and provide them the same lifelong love of learning that I have experienced as a Montessori student many years ago. We found that in The Portland Montessori School."
"I could write an essay on how my daughter joined PMS in the last year and graduated from her primary class reading chapter books and doing long addition and subtraction with multiple numbers. She’s well beyond her kindergarten peers, and my younger son's pride in his work and love of learning has grown beyond expectation."
"Our son sincerely loves his guide, who shows him authentic kindness, warmth, and non-judgmental acceptance. Under her guidance, he has become a self-directed, competent, and curious learner who cares about the world and others around him."
"The Portland Montessori School is a school with a heart. Each year, parents raise money to sustain scholarships that make the dream of a Montessori education a reality for families who could not otherwise afford it. That shows the true spirit of community at our school."