The Primary Classrooms at Ridgewood Montessori School are traditional Montessori mixed-aged classrooms for children ages 3 to 5. These classrooms are organized to encompass a 3-year age span.

The multi-age classroom is the practice of teaching different ages together in the same classroom without dividing the student's curriculum. Children progress from doing simple tasks to using more complex material at his or her own pace. The teachers are very aware of each student as an individual; they focus on what each student knows and what their needs are. Children remain with the same teacher for their primary years. This is a wonderful opportunity to build a stable and strong connection with each child.

Dr. Montessori believed that learning should occur in a multi-age classroom where children at various stages of development learn from each other. Her developmentally appropriate approach was designed to fit each child instead of making each child fit the program.

Older students in the class are sensitive to the needs of those who are younger and want to help them adjust. They show them where everything goes, help them to hang up their jackets, help them to solve problems and to socialize. The older students practice being leaders in the classroom, and this helps to alleviate the pressure between older students competing for the role of "boss."

Our broad-based Primary Program includes science and nature, music and movement, social and emotional development, grace and courtesy, history, cultural activities, geography, language arts and mathematics.

This classroom has up to 20 children with two teachers. Our Primary Program is a five day a week program offering half-days (mornings or afternoons) or full-day.

“There are many things which no teacher can convey to a child of 3, but a child of 5 can do it with the utmost of ease.”

- Dr. Maria Montessori

Contact us today for more details on our primary school programs.