Mornings are the time for our main academic work cycle. This is a large block of time when children are working on any number of practical life or academic tasks. They may be creating art, learning multiplication, or feeding a classroom pet. Each child is working on their own tasks during the work cycle and may be pulled into individual or small group lessons with the lead teacher.

More information about each classroom can be found here:

Primary

Elementary

HPM starts at age 3 (Preschool) and serves children up to age 12 (6th grade). Our program is separated into Primary and Elementary. Primary classrooms serve ages 3 to 6, and our Elementary classroom serves ages 6 to 12.

Regular school hours are 8:00am to 3:30pm. Children must arrive before 9:00am unless they have a doctor’s appointment that day. Children can be picked up at any time of the day.

Drop-in Extended Care is available from 7:30-8:00am and 3:30-5:30pm.

Drop-in Extended Care is available from 7:30-8:00am and 3:30-5:30pm. Extended care is $15 a day and is charged at the end of the month based on the number of days your child uses Extended Care. Extended Care is free for all families approved for Action for Children.

Each child has some freedom around how they spend their days but are expected to choose practical and academic work during the work cycle. Classroom teachers help guide the children towards work that will best serve their development. Younger children have more playful work choices, and as children grow in age, they gain more mature classroom responsibilities.

Montessori education covers academic content similar to all schools, though children may move more quickly or slowly through the content depending on their skills.

Montessori schools all follow very similar teaching styles and materials so if a child moves to another Montessori school, they experience very little transition.

HPM students who have moved to traditional schools have had very positive experiences. All classrooms have some kind of expectations and procedures, whether they are Montessori or traditional classrooms. Shifting to another school simply requires a child to learn a new set of classroom procedures.

No. Your child will spend a good amount of time doing academic work at school, so we encourage families to spend their time playing, adventuring, reading, cooking, and doing household tasks together.

Healthy, vegetarian snacks are provided once in the morning and once in the afternoon.

Lunch is not provided. Please send a healthy, nut-free lunch with your child each day. Microwaves are available for food that needs to be heated.

Children who attend Extended Care will be provided with breakfast in the morning and an additional snack in the afternoon.

We do not give quizzes, tests, or homework. No official grades are provided, but we do provide Progress Reports twice a year to identify what social-emotional, practical, and academic skills your child is either currently working on or has mastered. These Progress Reports can be provided if/when your child transitions to their next school.

Parent-Teacher Conferences are held twice a year. Additional meetings can be set up with your child’s teacher at any time. Teachers will respond within 24 hours to email.

More details can be found in our Community Handbook. You may also email info@humboldtparkmontessori.com. We will be happy to answer your questions.