Enter a Primary classroom at Forest Hill Montessori School, and you will see children engaged in a variety of activities. Some may be tracing sandpaper letters as a preparation for writing, or composing music to be played on the tone bells. Some may be preparing apple slices, or sketching a chrysalis they watched develop from a cocoon. Another group may be studying the relationships between the different geometric solids, while others are engaged in caring for the classroom plants, exploring fractions, writing passages in their journals, or folding napkins to be used at lunch. In an environment that affirms collaboration and community, children teach and learn from each other. An atmosphere of tranquility and industry envelops the room.

In our Primary classrooms, children explore, experience, and discover, through guided use of manipulative learning materials designed to engage their sense sand stimulate their intellect. A cornerstone of Montessori education is the multi-age classroom. Forest Hill Montessori School's Primary classrooms are organized into three year age groupings of children 2 1/2 to 6 years.

Within this atmosphere of collaborative learning, children are encouraged to treat each other with kindness and respect. Recognizing the "absorbent  minds " of young children, Dr. Montessori saw that children learn naturally from their environment and from each other. Our beautiful and bright classrooms are designed to be stimulating and comfortable places to learn and explore. A vast array of activities is always available with tasks ranging from the simple to the complex. All lessons, tasks and activities in the Montessori classroom share an important underlying purpose, to lead the child to a greater sense of independence, confidence and knowledge.  Within this paradigm, learning and growth are seen as synonymous with living. Each classroom curriculum is divided into the areas of Mathematics, Language, Practical Life, Sensorial ,and Culture. Daily lessons in French are taught using the A.I.M. Gesture Approach. Throughout the course of the week, children all take part in Art Lessons, Music, Physical Education, and our Library Program.