Millhopper Montessori School Brochure January 2017

MONTESSORI THE MILLHOPPER WAY

SHAPING A STRONG FOUNDATION Ages 2 through 8th Grade

AN EDUCATION FOR THE FUTURE. Technology innovators and literary greats alike went to Montessori school, including Google CEO Larry Page and Nobel Prize for Literature winner Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

MONTESSORI AND SO MUCH MORE! Relationships. Relevance. Results.

Millhopper Montessori School (MMS) offers a state-of-the-art learning experience unparalleled in traditional education today.

On a safe and welcoming campus, our private educational program for ages 2 through 8th grade features a challenging and comprehensive curriculum in a family-like atmosphere.

Time-tested methods, instilled by specially skilled educators, nurture both academic excellence and the human spirit.

Founded in 1977, MMS combines Montessori principles with best practices to nurture a child’s social, emotional and cognitive development. Children come to us full of potential and leave enthusiastic learners, out-of-the-box thinkers and high achievers prepared for the ever-changing world.

Outstanding Educators. Understanding Mentors.

Children become creative thinkers when teachers engage learners at the level of delight. MMS faculty are wholehearted leaders and mentors along your child’s educational journey. Highly credentialed educators are attuned to child development and are keen observers of your child’s unique self and stage. Our teachers know when to encourage exploration, when to intervene, and when to raise the level of challenge to promote optimal learning. Working in concert, lead teachers, teaching assistants and subject specialists combine Montessori principles with foremost educational practices in a holistic style, crossing borders of age and interest to ignite each child’s natural curiosity, creativity and eagerness to learn. MMS students forge ahead, guided, yet free to set the pace — a proven formula that develops self-directed learners and high achievers.

STATE-OF-THE HEART TEACHING +STATE-OF-THE ART LEARNING A low student-teacher ratio enables small-group learning and one-on-one attention for your child.

A Vibrant Learning Environment In this positive, energized setting, children are passionate, not pressured — free to learn the way they do best.

Multi-age, high-tech classrooms are inclusive and expansive, breaking down social barriers and exceeding prescribed limitations. Older and younger children guide and inspire one another, building confidence and self-reliance, while making smooth transitions to each new level of learning.

Learning is more fun among friends In this international learning community, individuality and diversity are celebrated. Children feel accepted and free to be themselves.

Parental involvement is encouraged, and teachers forge mentoring relationships that have positive impacts on the lives of students well beyond their cherished days at Millhopper Montessori.

SAFE & SECURE The Millhopper Montessori campus is gated and secure.

BEGINNERS AGES 2-3

THEIR VERY FIRST

HOME AWAY FROM HOME Your child is a creative thinker, problem solver, artist and explorer. Our preschool curriculum is designed specifically for these developmentally formative years. Starting at age two, The Little House program brings the comfort of routine so children know what to expect and feel safe to explore their first home away from home. Gently steered, hands-on experiences foster a child’s innate curiosity and desire to investigate. Our Beginners are encouraged to discover something new every day—and they do. Because, when learning is in step with natural inclinations, children master their world by leaps and bounds.

For Each Age, The Right Stage Childhood is a time of great transformation. Our thoughtfully structured curriculum addresses the unique developmental needs of children at every stage, tapping into a child’s inherent learning capacities from ages two through early adolescence.

• Beginners Ages 2-3 • PreSchool and Kindergarten Ages 3-6 • Lower Elementary Grades 1-3 • Upper Elementary Grades 4-5 • Middle School Ages Grades 6-8

FREE TO EXPLORE Children are free to explore, finding independence, self-discipline and delight within a carefully created environment.

PRESCHOOL/ KINDERGARTEN AGES 3-6

Building the Right Foundation For Success Our holistic curriculum combines visual, kinesthetic and auditory methods to bring out your child’s fullest potential. Caring, observant teachers provide developmentally appropriate challenges in a safe haven. Learning building block concepts and honing tactile skills, children become self-directed learners, while developing the critical-thinking and problem-solving skills of high achievers. Reading and Spanish begin in the preschool years, taking advantage of a profound proclivity for language at this age.

The comprehensive program complements core subject areas with a strong physical fitness component as well as music, arts and after-school enrichment activities for an all-around, well-rounded learning experience.

Listening to a Mozart concerto, assembling a community map, celebrating a new culture, or having a grand time marching in the Cat in the Hat parade —it’s all in a fun-filled day’s work preparing the creative and compassionate citizens of tomorrow.

Clean and Orderly

Knowing by Showing

Children have a strong sense of order and routine. Our classrooms are clean and organized. Self-directed children choose their activities and put things back where they belong, learning to manage their own personal space within a respectful sense of community.

In our multi-age classrooms, a curious two-yearold watches an accomplished three-year-old and learning blossoms. A four-year-old guides a younger student and gains self-confidence, while deepening and solidifying newly acquired knowledge and skills.

The Millhopper Montessori Classroom The design and flow of Millhopper Montessori classrooms for early childhood and lower elementary students create a learning environment that accommodates choice. Each day, Millhopper teachers thoughtfully prepare their classrooms with materials and activities that entice and engage the child to learn. There are well-defined spaces for each part of the curriculum, such as Math or Culture. Above all, the classrooms are big and bright, warm and inviting, to help children feel calm and at right at home.

MMS

INTELLIGENT CLASSROOM

Child-Centered Teaching children are. You’ll find teachers sitting on the floor or at a table, beside and among children, observing and guiding one-on-one and in small groups. Teaching does not interrupt learning, as children are encouraged to follow an inherent tendency to seek what comes next.

Hands-on Learning Sensory learning is the hallmark of our early childhood programs. Children use specially designed, multi-purpose tools and delve into sequenced, hands-on activities. A child may hone fine motor skills, while discovering a new language concept.

One discovery leads to another as children investigate the way to understanding, naturally and joyfully.

MAKING CONNECTIONS

GAINING CONFIDENCE

LOWER ELEMETARY GRADES 1-3

Taking Learning to the Next Level At MMS, we divide our elementary program into upper and lower divisions to meet children’s specific developmental needs. Our lower elementary students benefit from a balance of structure and freedom, gaining self-reliance, along with valuable self-correction and time management skills. An advanced reading methodology catapults students forward in their coding and comprehension, and our own reading therapist enhances interest and enriches ability. While building the essential blocks of knowledge, students connect learning to the real world through a variety of socially conscious activities. Participating in a local food drive, planting a sustainable garden and more, students make great strides in the lower elementary years, raising them up for success.

A comprehensive arts and athletics curriculum promotes health and self-expression from the earliest ages. As students grow they play on flag football, basketball and soccer teams and enjoy expanding opportunities to join an awardwinning vocal ensemble, a theatrical choir and drama and thespian clubs.

MMS students are on the move! We place a premium on physical fitness. Our students are healthy and active — they play at recess, have PE four days a week from kindergarten through 8th grade, and have the opportunity to participate in local sports leagues.

UPPER ELEMETARY GRADES 4-5

From Abstract Concepts to Concrete Knowledge In Upper Elementary, Students expand their intellect and horizons. The core subjects are integrated with a 21st century STEAM-enhanced curriculum focusing on the essential areas of science, technology, engineering, math and the arts. A more structured, cross-curricular program engenders optimum learning at or above grade level. Orchestrated lessons allow for in-depth immersion and exploration of interwoven concepts, building critical thinking and adaptability. Students develop a grasp of the world and their place within it, building intellectual creativity and critical emotional intelligence. Students emerge from the upper elementary grades respectful, honorable and high achieving, well prepared for the challenges and inspirations of middle school.

MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADES 6-8

GIVE YOUR CHILD THE

MILLHOPPER MONTESSORI

ADVANTAGE

Our middle school program provides advanced academics in an emotionally safe setting designed for the emerging needs of adolescents. Middle School students develop character, discover individuality and build intellectual acumen as they mature into compassionate, creative leaders. Students become skilled communicators and effective collaborators, scoring high on standardized tests and exhibiting high executive function. The STEAM-enhanced curriculum is taught in an authentic, multi-disciplinary context, engaging young minds in real-world applications. Outside the classroom, students become members of the National Junior Honor Society, rise to the challenge of a leader-developing ROPES course, complete community internships and much more. They graduate from MMS exceptionally prepared for high school and the world to come.

MMS graduates are known for being poised and accomplished, ready to excel in the area’s top high schools — the majority of MMS graduates are accepted into Advanced Placement, Cambridge and International Baccalaureate programs.

Speech, Drama and Debate are an integral part of the Millhopper Way. Students move from the early steps of public speaking to advanced skills of researching, writing and delivering impactful speeches on current and crucial issues. In formal debates, theatrical recitations and stage performances, students learn to make and express informed opinions eloquently and artfully.

“ I wouldn’t want our kids to be anywhere else.”——— Middle School Parent

8505 NW 39th Ave., Gainesville, FL 32606 | P: 352.375.6773 | www.millhopper.com Millhopper Montessori is affiliated with the American Montessori Society, and is accredited by the Florida Kindergarten Council and the Florida Council of Independent Schools.

FIND MORE AT

MILLHOPPER MONTESSORI

Call today for a personal tour.