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Elementary Program

Connecting to the World

The Elementary Program—designed for children ages six to twelve, grades one through six—offers your child an unparalleled opportunity for growth in this new period of life. Your imaginative, social and creative child needs an environment with appropriate freedom and limitations, with an expansive curriculum to support their curiosity and prepare them for the challenges of the future.

Learning without Limits

Your child will study both broadly and deeply, covering many subjects not attempted in conventional schools. Elementary students gradually move from concrete to abstract, from simple to complex, from distinct to integrated and interrelated. At the same time, they collaborate with the teacher to ensure that their work is challenging and purposeful—and that basic standards are met. In that way, the teacher is in charge of the minimum scope of work—your child is in charge of the maximum.

Elementary children with guide and lesson on floor

The Teacher is an
“Enlightened Generalist”

To quote Bruce Lee: “A teacher is never a giver of ‘truth;’ he is a guide, a pointer to the truth that the student must discover for himself.” We couldn’t agree more. Our AMI credentialed Montessori teachers don’t have a specific area of expertise; instead, our teachers have a broad knowledge of all subject areas – more than enough to help your child discover interests in any area imaginable and challenge them to deepen the field of study through research. Instead of giving the right answers, the teacher will ask your child the right questions to inspire them to find their own answers.

The Format Mirrors
Your Child’s Developmental Needs

Your elementary age child has a strong drive for social connection. Children at this age begin develop deeper friendships and a connection to the community around them. We embrace your child’s natural need for social exploration by giving lessons in small groups and encouraging children to work with a variety of others on follow-up projects and research into subjects of intense interest. In a Montessori elementary program, children help children before adults help children, resulting in teamwork, independence, and a true learning community.

Child on floor working on timeline lesson

Engagement is Essential

Real learning occurs when children are engaged—not when the teacher makes a blanket assignment. Curiosity is championed in our Elementary Program, and your child is encouraged to explore concepts to a level of detail limited only by their imagination.

two children standing in a puddle, bent over to look at what's in it

Learning Beyond the Classroom

We want children to be comfortable navigating the world, not just their classroom. We have excellent books, but not everything there is to read about a topic. Therefore, children must go beyond the limits of the classroom to find the information or resource they need. ‘Going Out’ is a planned undertaking by a small group of children. They find a resource in the community, schedule the outing, arrange for transportation and staff or parent supervision, prepare for the experience, and conduct themselves with dignity while out in public. Each trip is an entire course of study on independence, responsibility, and good citizenship—to say nothing of the intellectual rewards that children get from such experience.

Developing Flexibility, Resilience and Grit

We believe children learn to be adaptable by supporting them to solve their own problems, rather than solving problems for them. With the help of a supportive adult, your child can, most often, find the solution that is best for him. In the Elementary classroom, this problem solving may take place individually or as part of a class meeting, as the children take on greater ownership of their collective space and experience.

Learning in Context
for Deeper Understanding

Unlike in a conventional program with a separate time of the day for each subject, your child will gain a much deeper understanding of concepts by learning in context. The starting point for all courses of study is a series of “Great Lessons.” These impressionistic and scientific stories give your child the “big picture” of astronomy, earth science, geography, physics, biology, history, anthropology, cultural and social studies, language, math, music, and art. Meaningful learning happens when children understand the “why” as much as the “what”—and are inspired to learn even more on their own.

Achieving the State of “Flow”

Think about how you do your best work. Is it when you are interrupted by others or when you work to an external time table? Probably not. Why, then, is it any different for your child? Our class day consists of long, open-ended work periods that respect your child’s curiosity and concentration. They may choose to form or join a group to work with concepts introduced in a lesson. And, because they are free to move around the classroom, it’s not uncommon for ideas to spread; children are stimulated not just by the lessons they receive, but by each other.

Learning as its Own Reward

We have high expectations for your child, and believe that rewards and punishments appeal only to the lowest levels of their intellect. By questioning the universe and their place in it, Montessori students develop the problem solving and critical thinking skills necessary to navigate the next great period of transformation: adolescence.

Our Alumni Excel in School—
and in Life

Years of watching our students matriculate to high school, college, and beyond confirms that an authentic Montessori elementary is an excellent education for life. They excel in school and careers of choice but, more importantly, emerge as confident, well-adjusted, happy adults.

six MSB alumni standing by rock climbing wall

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Learn More

We invite you to learn more about our school, our programs, and our community. Complete either form below, and our Director of Admissions will reach out to talk more about how MSB can benefit your family.

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Contact Us

PO Box 422, 21 Patterson Road, Lenox Dale, MA 01242

The Montessori School of the Berkshires (MSB) is a private independent coed school which inspires children to develop independent thinking, self-assurance, inner discipline, and a love of learning in an authentic Montessori environment nestled in the scenic Berkshire hills. We serve children in toddler, preschool, elementary, middle, and adolescent programs. MSB is an equal opportunity employer and provider. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability, cultural beliefs, marital status, or ethnic origin in employment or the administration of admissions programs or policies.