CHILDREN'S HOUSE

Children's House students are 3-6 years old.

     The Children’s House is a unique creation of Dr. Maria Montessori and it consists of children 3 years through Kindergarten. It is a blend of early childhood philosophy, teacher training, and specially developed learning materials.

     At this level the class room is “living room” for children of ages three, four, and five. Work in such areas as sensory development, movement, mathematics, reading, writing, science, history, geography, and practical life are available to the child. Materials are designed and arranged so that they invite the child to activity.

     Two teachers work with each group of children. An individual or small group format occupies most of the children’s class time with part of the day spent as an entire community for sharing, storytelling, teacher presentations, or movement activities.

     Children also have an opportunity to participate in music and Spanish classes. A summer program, as well as before and after school care, completes the full range of offerings for the child at this level.

PRIMARY

Children in the Primary Level are in grades 1-3 and are generally 6-9 years old.

     Once a child turns six years of age, Montessori says that the child enters a second stage of development. Physically there are tremendous changes. The biggest difference, however, between a preschool child and the elementary child is that the elementary child explores his environment and seeks to understand the world around him by using his mind. While the young child understands and learns through his senses, the child in the second stage of development combines memory, imagination and reason instead of sensorial impressions to learn. Montessori would say that the greatest gift is the use of imagination to achieve abstraction.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

     The Middle School level at St. Joseph Montessori School consists of students from 9-12 years old and are in 4th through 6th grade.

ERDKINDER

     Erdkinder Students are 12-14 years old and are in the 7th and 8th grade.

SPECIAL SUBJECTS

     Special subjects at the Children's House level are receive music, Spanish, and "story time." Once in kindergarten, physical education is added to the curriculum. Elementary students all participate in music, art, and physical education. Religion and foreign language are offered as electives. The school also offers additional extra-curricular offerings such as band and bell choir.

TECHNOLOGY

     Technology in the Montessori classroom is used to in a variety of ways. The children use computers to enhance their learning, as well as a tool for completing work in other subjects. Each classroom has access to portable smart boards which enable teachers to present lessons and the students to practice skills. Memberships to special research websites are also useful tools for older students.

ATHLETICS

     The St. Mary Athletic Association would like to welcome everyone to another school year which also means another year of sports for your Rams. I want to start by reminding everyone interested in coaching must attend the Protecting God’s Children Workshop and be fingerprinted. All coaches must have these requirements completed prior to coaching.

     St. Joseph Montessori School was established in 1968 as a preschool preparation program for St. Joseph Academy which was operated by the Sisters of Notre Dame. The Academy consisted of grades one through twelve. Recognizing the value of the Montessori approach to education, parents requested and were granted the extension of the program into the elementary school. Declining enrollment forced the closing of the 100 year old high school in 1977. A cooperative effort between the Sisters and the parent body resulted in the transition of SJMS into a private Diocesan school with a nonprofit status and an elected parent Board of Trustees. After nearly twenty years, St. Joseph Montessori School moved from its original location to its current campus.

     We offer an alternative educational program to families throughout the Central Ohio area. Our school is located in a vibrant and historic residential neighborhood near the downtown area. We serve families from Franklin County, as well as, the six surrounding counties. We recently erected a 4000 sq. ft. addition to our main building, which included a new library and multi purpose room. The multi-sensory approach of the Montessori Method enables our teachers to work equally with students across the learning spectrum. They can easily meet a wide range of student needs. Most importantly, all students work at their own level and are scored on their own individual progress.

     Our school is more than a place of learning; it is a safe community where our students confidently develop their character. They incorporate sound values and relate peacefully and respectfully to one another and to the natural world.

     We at St. Joseph Montessori School believe that, as a result of the program provided in our school, each child will become a confident, competent person – possessing self-knowledge, independence, concentration, inner-discipline, and a spirit of joy – exhibiting care and respect for him or herself, for others, and for the world around – exercising initiative and persistence in completing learning tasks – exhibiting sensitivity, curiosity, creativity, and a spirit of discovery in his or her approach to life and learning.