Summit Lower School Brochure

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M U ES

CHOOL S R E W O YL A D Y R T s - Grade 4 h t n N o m U 18 O C MIT

Catholic • Independent • Coeducational Early childhood education experts in our Lower School stretch each child’s cognitive development with research-based best practices. From 18 months through kindergarten, Montessori students build a framework for academic success. Small size classes in grades 1 through 4 ensure personal attention in math, literacy and science. Engaging teachers know that movement, music and World Language expand the neural pathways of young minds and make learning a joy.

indergarten K s h t mon

n o M

18 i r o s s te Movement

& Cognitive

Development

• The Summit Montessori program offers an academic and enrichment curriculum

for children 18 months through age 6 where learning is an innate, self-directed

process. Following Dr. Maria Montessori’s philosophy, a joyful, peaceful and

prepared classroom allows a child’s inherent desire for goal-directed activity,

intellectual development and achievement. Cultivation of the whole child

enables sophisticated thinking skills through stimulating work in practical life,

sensorial, language, mathematics and geography during the child’s sensitive periods.

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Guided by highly trained master’s degree and A.M.S. certified educators, social skills are nurtured with a focus on character, empathy, compassion and respect.

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Toddlers begin a lifelong affinity for learning in an explorative environment.

Specially developed play equipment in our toddler muscle areas and a naturescape on our rooftop playground promote development of large muscle groups, independence, coordination and cognition. Orff music and Spanish instruction stimulate parts of the brain which enhance memory retention and language development.

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During the culminating mastery year, kindergarteners are leaders and role models in the multi-age classroom, executing strategic life skills with confidence. Public speaking, theatrical performances and small-group collaboration develop social skills critical to long term academic success.

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A full-time literacy specialist helps develop skills through assessments, small- group lessons and personal instruction enabling kindergarteners to reach their fullest potential prior to entering first grade.

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Full-day Signature Enrichment Programs for 3-6 year-olds reinforce the refined academic skills while offering extensive study of geography, world languages, science, global awareness, cultural studies and fine arts. Exposure to French and Spanish at ages 3 and 4 is followed by a 13-year seamless World Language Program.

• Half- and full-day program options and extended day available beginning

at 18 months.

Special Programs Serving the needs of our families, we offer academic enrichment programs and child care before school, after school and holidays through our Extended Day Program. Additionally, After School Specials offer children an opportunity to explore new activities such as dance or yoga, develop a deeper understanding about topics of interest such as robotics and art and enjoy more time with friends in a supervised environment with trained faculty and specialists.

Lower S ch

Mind, Brain &

ool

Teaching

The Lower School atmosphere builds on the Montessori philosophy to empower each child as a joyful learner. Research-driven practices emphasize brain-targeted teaching, recognize the emotional climate of the classroom and utilize novel experiential student-directed learning. We are developing resilient, divergent thinkers ready for a 21st Century world.

• Faculty model lifelong learning through professional development.

• The Five Star Reading Program continuously challenges students in proficiency, vocabulary and critical thinking skills.

• The Conceptual Math curriculum exceeds national standards for each grade level, drawing upon research-based pedagogy and experienced, specially trained faculty.

• Curriculum focuses on the “Four Cs” of education: Collaboration, Communication, Creativity and Critical Thinking.

• Science is discovery- and inquiry-based using state-of-the-art laboratories and technology.

• Art is integrated into STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) practices to improve students’ knowledge retention.

• An award-winning fine arts program encourages students to become problem-solvers and risk-takers. Students learn to confidently communicate ideas through artistic expression.

• Mindfulness hones skills in emotional regulation resulting in a peaceful, joyful learning atmosphere.

• The technology lab, The Collaboratory, nurtures innovation. Collaborative workspaces were inspired by leading-edge technology corporations.

• A cross-curricular mobile LEGO Learning Lab fosters communication, critical thinking skills, creativity, collaboration, problem-solving, sequencing and advanced spatial reasoning.

• The Summit’s hallmark faith formation is strengthened in daily prayer, guidance lessons and the advisement program.

• Storytelling, technology and intercultural experiences raise proficiency in Spanish and French.

• Small class sizes allow faculty, math and literacy specialists to focus on the whole child by personalizing instruction for optimal academic challenge.

Outdoor Learning Spaces (18 months - Grade 4) The Summit’s scenic campus overlooking the Ohio River lends itself to scientific nature studies and inspiration for writing and art. The Outdoor Learning Space, Leibold Pond and Garden for the Good specifically address an aspect of brain-targeted research that indicates children’s academic performance benefit from the sensory experience that comes with changes in light, sound and scents.

Gra des 1-

4

INNOVATIVE LEADE

RSHI P

Montessori Director Kathy Scott, R.N., B.S.N., M. Ed., has a Master of Education in Early Childhood with Montessori certification through Xavier University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Webster University in St. Louis. In addition to adding a naturescape, she is creating spaces in the toddler classrooms to provide large muscle equipment.

“Researchers have demonstrated that movement increases cerebral blood flow so physical activity supports long-term cognitive development,” she says. “The free movement within our classrooms benefits all our children, while the toddler muscle areas specifically address development of gross motor skills that are crucial to development of major muscle groups, joints, hand muscles, fine motor skills, independence, coordination and cognition at this age.”

Lower School Director Kendra Thornton, Ed. D. received a doctorate from Johns Hopkins University with a specialization in “Mind, Brain and Teaching.” She is incorporating applied research from the fields of cognitive science, psychology, neurology, neuroscience and education into best practices for grades 1 through 4. “We want to develop resilient and divergent thinkers who can collaborate and communicate effectively in our 21st Century world,” Dr. Thornton says. “To encourage innovative thinking and creative problem-solving, we want to foster a classroom environment where children can embrace mistakes and use inquiry-based learning techniques to test their ideas.”

Working collaboratively, Mrs. Scott and Dr. Thornton are creating a seamless transition from preschool to Lower School. Both are advocates of continuous professional development, brain-based instruction and personalized instruction informed by data analysis. Their faculties are highly educated and understand the developmental needs of children and how to individualize instruction. A literacy specialist in the Montessori, educational assistants in every classroom, two math specialists, three literacy specialists in the Lower School and a librarian support the faculty and create a low studentteacher ratio. The Lower School is a state-of-the-art facility with spacious and natural light-filled classrooms, science labs filled with leading-edge equipment, two spacious libraries, gymnasium and dining hall managed by two alumni chefs who were trained at international culinary schools.

Visit The Summit: Call (513) 871-4700 ext. 261 or email admissions@summitcds.org 2161 Grandin Road, Cincinnati, OH 45208; Hyde Park

www.summitcds.org