Montecito Community School Montessori Learning Program

Welcome to the Montessori Learning Program at Montecito Community School.  Osborn approaches Montessori education in the same way it does its other programs, with a desire to make it the best learning environment for each child. The Osborn School District and Montecito Community School echo Maria Montessori's vision of a world that values equity and diversity while allowing children to grow into the best possible version of themselves.

The Osborn School District is the first public school district in the state of Arizona to offer a Dual Language Montessori program starting in the Primary years. Families have the option to join our English  classroom or the Dual Language Spanish-English program. To see what sets us apart from other Montessori programs in the area, see our Programmatic Structures page!

The Primary Program:  Ages 3-5 ( Kindergarten)

Primary children possess a remarkable ability to absorb the world that surrounds them. Maria Montessori believed that the years from three to six are the most critical period for nurturing a child’s natural curiosity and for laying the foundation for all future development. This stage of development provides the foundation for all future academic pursuits. 

The goals of the Montessori Learning Program at Montecito Community School are to foster independence and to support children in moving toward a mastery of self and the environment. 

The classrooms are prepared environments designed to encourage children to their self-directed discovery of the world. Interest based activities encourage children to develop a love of learning and trust their own ability to learn. A wide range of activities engage the children at varied levels of ability and maturity, and facilitate the Montessori goals of individualized work, timely progress, independence, and social awareness. 

"The Montessori approach to early childhood education will begin that process in a joyful, secure, and loving environment in which your young child will thrive.

The Early Childhood level, for children ages 3-5, encourages preschoolers to explore and discover, to collaborate with classmates, and to take ownership of their education. The Montessori Method encourages self-directed learning that promotes self-confidence, independent thought and action, and critical thinking, while fostering social-emotional and intellectual growth.

Education for peace is a foundational component of Montessori education at all levels. At the Early Childhood level, the teaching of peace, social justice, and global citizenship is based on fostering respect for all people and living things, and helping children learn the tools for peaceful conflict resolution."

- American Montessori Society

The Elementary Program: Lower Elementary ( Grades 1-3), Upper Elementary ( Grades 4-6)

The elementary years in Montessori are individually paced and challenge children academically but also  safeguards their well being and sense of self.  Engaging as a contributing member of their respectful community, the child will learn to question, think critically, and take responsibility for their own learning- skills that will support them later in educational settings and in life. 

Materials in the Elementary Montessori classroom evoke imagination, aid abstraction, and generate a world view about the human task and purpose. Studies are interdisciplinary and allow the child to think philosophically by posing questions about the origins of the universe, the nature of life, and humankind.  

Specific content subject areas include: history, geography, geometry, biology, mathematics, language, music and art. But note, Montessori is interdisciplinary and the lessons and presentations are carefully woven between each other in an effort to give the child a global perspective of how these elements work in union.