Montessori Learning for Ages 6-12

The Montessori Method

At Black Mountain Montessori school, our kind and experienced elementary teachers are passionate about nurturing a life-long love of learning within each student through enriching studies and innovative learning approaches.  They balance focus on the physical, emotional, social and intellectual development of each student. Our goal is to empower each student to reach their highest potential in all areas of life.

Elementary classrooms are dynamic, carefully prepared, multi-age settings that encourage a sense of family and community.  Having a range of ages in each classroom allows for each student to learn at their own pace without standing out, and allows us the ability to meet a wide range of academic needs.  There are also many mentoring opportunities in which older students help younger students. The social interaction and collaborative learning in our classrooms helps create strong peer relationships.  

Dr. Maria Montessori teaches us that the elementary aged child shows a growing capacity for tackling problems, reasoning, socializing and harnessing the imagination.  Montessori elementary curriculum provides opportunity for self-development and self-discovery. Our teachers support students in exploring their own strengths, talents and curiosities— ultimately leading to a strong sense of self, confidence, and the will to succeed.  We encourage students to think for themselves, question, research, analyze what they’ve found, and reach their own conclusions.  

Our elementary students work with a wide array of hands-on materials.  In most areas of study, rather than simply using textbooks, we have students use reference materials, libraries, and the internet to acquire information for class presentations and more.  The methods used in the Montessori elementary curriculum literally help students learn how to learn, providing a strong foundation for higher education and beyond. Elementary teachers at Black Mountain Montessori perform regular student assessments and academic tracking without enforced testing.  They communicate progress regularly and are very accessible.

The Montessori curriculum encompasses an interdisciplinary approach and emphasizes the interconnectedness of life, as well as emphasizing the unique role and responsibility human beings have on our planet.  The Five Great Lessons and other presentations provide a framework for our well-rounded Montessori elementary curriculum: mathematics, language arts, the sciences, social studies, history and geography. Each of The Five Great Lessons is designed to give students an inspiring big picture view of the world and life.  These lessons are exciting and aim to awaken a child's imagination and curiosity— motivating students to do further research. The Five Great Lessons are presented every year to our students: 

First Great Lesson: Coming of the Universe and the Earth

Second Great Lesson: Coming of Life 

Third Great Lesson: Coming of Human Beings

Fourth Great Lesson: Communication and Signs

Fifth Great Lesson: The Story of Numbers

Elementary Montessori students also enjoy afternoon enrichments such as art, gardening, practical life skills, outdoor leadership skills with Asheville TAASC, and physical education.  Education continues outside of school grounds with real-world experiences, like field trips and service projects.  Community involvement is promoted through partnerships with local colleges, community gardens, and the arts. The community and service activities are fun for students while nurturing responsibility, empathy, and a habit of helping others. 

Students who complete the Black Mountain Montessori program through elementary will have honed the multidimensional skills necessary for succeeding in the 21st century, including critical thinking, working collaboratively, and thinking creatively across disciplines.  They become self-assured, content, communicative and inquisitive— advantageous characteristics for thriving throughout life.