Our Primary Program

The Cornerstone Montessori School currently has two Primary classrooms, each serving children from three- to six-years of age. The mixed-age grouping allows the children to learn from one another, promoting a sense of community and respect. The younger children look up to the Kindergarten students, who in turn reinforce the lessons they have previously learned by showing others. The students choose their work and progress as they become ready, always gently guided by the Directress. They work daily with language and math, and progress from basic to more advanced lessons based on their mastery of the material. They may also work with the Practical Life and Sensorial work, as well as cultural and nature activities. They follow units of study based on the seasons and events throughout the school year, such as Thanksgiving, Winter holidays, plants and animals, and gardening. It is truly an experience to "follow the child." Our Primary classes will not have more than 20 students at one time, and maintains a balance between age groups.

The Kindergarten Year

The three-year cycle is completed with the Kindergarten year, the time when the two previous years of lessons come together and inspire them to seek their biggest challenges. Kindergarteners from both primary classes meet for lunch, and then spend the afternoon with both lead teachers for their challenging work and new lessons. They have their own art class, as well as their additional lesson in French. They participate in service for the other children by setting up lunches for the 1^st- and 2^nd-year Primary children, instilling a sense of leadership and giving of themselves. Each child is evaluated at the end of the school year to show their progression and level of skill in reading and math.

The Lower Elementary Program

The Lower Elementary program, encompassing grades 1-3, is the next step in Montessori education. The well-rounded curriculum, designed to engage the naturally inquisitive minds of children from 6- to 9-years-old, is similar in content to that of a traditional academic program, but is presented using the Montessori Method.

The students continue to develop their mathematic and language arts skills with more advanced lessons on familiar Montessori materials. Each student has his or her own weekly work plan, which is developed with the guidance of the Directress. The students set their goals in math and language arts, and work with the Directress to map out which tasks they will need to complete in order to achieve those goals. They learn to manage their time, knowing that they are responsible for making sure the work is done. Students progress when they have mastered a skill and have demonstrated their readiness for the next level of study. They work both independently and cooperatively, and provide support for each other in their individual challenges.
 
The Directress designs group lessons using stories, music, visual aids, and other concrete materials, with an emphasis on open-ended research and in-depth study. Class projects are developed with an integration of the arts, math, science, geography, history and language that sets the child’s imagination and abstraction in motion. A practical life exercise in making cranberry sauce resulted in lessons on measurement, chemistry, economics, and geography, as well as teamwork and cooperation.
 
The Lower Elementary curriculum is designed to include what is required of the public schools according to Virginia's Standards of Learning. While we do not administer standardized tests, we do evaluate each student to ensure that he or she is meeting all the appropriate benchmarks.

Our Enrichment Programs

French

Our French program introduces the children to French cultural activities through music, games and food, and teaches them to initiate and participate in basic conversational exchanges in French. They experience a curriculum that is integrated with the classroom units of study, and learn corresponding vocabulary in French. Our Kindergarten and Elementary students have additional small-group lessons each week, allowing them to develop their language skills at their appropriate level.

PE

Our Physical Education program is comprehensive, based on Virginia’s Standards of Learning and best practices. The program is designed to teach the children a variety of skills and experiences with different sports in an exciting and creative manner. The pace is more challenging and rigorous for the Elementary students, as their needs for Physical Education are a part of the required curriculum for school-aged children. Each class meets for one hour each week, outside on the playground as much as possible or in the Great Room, depending on weather conditions.

Music

The Music program introduces children to rhythm, sound, song and dance. Children experience different instruments, their sounds and origins, and examples of how the instrument is traditionally used. They listen to and participate in the singing of a variety of cultural songs, as well as the familiar children’s songs. The Elementary students begin to learn more about music theory and are more involved with the different instruments. Our 3^rd year Elementary students begin working with the recorder, reading sheet music and playing together. Each class meets for 30 minutes each week. We have two programs during the year; one during the winter holidays, and one at the end of the year.

Art

The Art program is tailored to meet the needs of each age group, taking into account the different levels of skills and ability. The lessons are consistent through the classes, though become more involved and challenging with the Kindergarten and Elementary students. The younger Primary children begin with line and color, and create works of art using the basic skills of each style. The older students learn more about different artists and their methods, and use different media to achieve their own masterpieces. Art classes are taught weekly, and the program culminates with an art show at the end of the school year, allowing the children to display their work in a gallery setting.

Drama

The Drama program is exclusive to our Elementary students, who have the opportunity to gain confidence through public speaking and working as a team. They have their auditions and roles, scripts and props. The Spring production is The Taming of the Shrew, which has been adapted to their level of experience by the Drama teacher. They will have two productions through the school year, in the fall and the spring, which will be performed for the rest of the school and the parents.

Field Trips

We have many outings throughout the year, such as our school-wide trips to Great Country Farms in Bluemont, VA. Most family members have attended as well, and we encourage parents and siblings to join us for the trips. We have also visited Frying Pan Park for a springtime lesson on animals, and Imagination Stage. The Kindergarten class has a few of their own trips, visiting places such as the Kennedy Center, Curiosity Zone and Mount Vernon and Glen Echo Park. Our Lower Elementary students follow their units of study, and recent trips have included the Air and Space Museum, Oakton High School Planetarium, the White House, Imagination Stage, and more.