What is Maria Montessori Charter Academy?

MMCA is a public Montessori elementary school developed by parents and teachers for the South Placer County area. The goal of the program is to achieve academic excellence in an environment where students can become independent, enthusiastic, competent, life-long learners who are compassionate, tolerant, and socially responsible citizens.

 

Why do we want a charter Montessori school?  

Many parents would like their children who have attended Montessori pre-schools to continue with Montessori educational methodology and philosophy, yet some parents are unable to afford ongoing private tuition. Still others are dissatisfied with the educational experience they’re experiencing at a traditional public school and are looking for an alternative. The founders of the school believed that this exceptional educational program should be available to all students.

 

How is a charter school different from other public schools?

Charter Schools offer an important innovation in public education. They are performance-based public schools that are free of many of the complex regulations that often constrain innovation in traditional programs. In exchange for substantial freedom in governance, programming, staffing, and budgeting, the school is held to strict accountability for high student achievement.

 

What grades does the school include? 

The school serves children in grades K-8. The first year started with grades K-2 with classrooms being added in the following years as the enrollment grew. In addition, in Fall 2009 the school started a private Pre-K program as well.

 

Where is the school located?

Rocklin, CA. Rocklin is located in South Placer County, the fastest growing county in the state. 1850 Wildcat Blvd., Rocklin, CA 95765

 

When did the school open?

September 5, 2000. It “re-opened” as a new, independent charter school on July 1, 2008.

 

Who can attend Maria Montessori Charter Academy?

All California students are eligible for admissions regardless of race, gender or religious affiliation. Preference is given to enrolled students, siblings of enrolled students, students with Montessori experience and Rocklin residents. If oversubscribed, students will be admitted by a lottery system.

 

How much parental involvement is required?

A high correlation exists between parental involvement and student success in school and all parents are expected to participate as partners in the education of the child. The school will try to match each family to their strengths, interest, and abilities with the needs of the school. Each family will be expected to contribute 40 hours of volunteer time per family, per year and resources to help support the school’s success.

 

How may I enroll my child(ren) in this school?

Please go to our Enrollment page for specific enrollment information

 

Why do Montessori classes have more students than traditional classes? 

The Montessori classroom is designed to be a mini-community. The multi-age makeup of the group facilitates meaningful observation and exposure to advanced lessons, peer modeling, and the opportunity to solidify one’s understanding of the material by “tutoring” others. Experts in the implementation of Montessori programs indicate that each age group within the classroom should consist of 6-8 or more students to create a meaningful social group. Classes typically include a span of two to three years in age.

 

What kind of ratios will MMCA have in the classroom?

The average classroom is about 17:1; we have (2) Teachers per classroom, both California certificated and Montessori trained.

 

Won’t classrooms be chaotic or noisy with so many children?

Montessori classrooms are often a surprise to visitors. Students are concentrating intently on their work, speak in calm tones, and demonstrate respect for their peer’s need for space and focus. They move freely about the environment and often assist each other with their tasks. Children in the classroom typically work individually or in pairs or small work groups and the teacher provides lessons at the time of individual readiness. This “normalization” of the classroom occurs when the children begin to “work” seriously with the materials.

 

How is the layout of the classroom different from traditional classrooms?

Montessori classrooms have more square footage than traditional classrooms and much of the work, at the lower grades, occurs on small mats on the floor. As the children grow older, desks are more common. The space is broken up into smaller areas by the placement of low bookcases and other materials in the prepared environment that create an element of privacy yet permit the teacher to observe all areas of the room. Additionally, students will be excused to work on specific projects in the hall area and on the deck. These areas are visible from the classroom.

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How will the age groups be clustered at MMCA? 

 

For the current school year, MMCA will have:

(1) pre-K Classroom

(2) K-1 Classrooms

(2) 2-3 Classrooms

(2) 4-5 Classrooms

(1) 6th grade Classroom

(2) 7-8 Classrooms

 

Space permitting, MMCA’s long term goal would be a configuration consisting of:

(2) pre-K Classrooms

(2) K-1 Classrooms

(2) 2-3 Classrooms

(2) 4-5 Classrooms

(1) 6th grade Classroom

(2) 7-8 Classrooms

 

How are Special Education Students included in the program at MMCA? 

MMCA welcomes children of diverse backgrounds and various levels of ability that are able to progress in an environment where independence, self-motivation, and freedom with responsibility is the foundation of the academic culture.

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MMCA is a member of the Placer County SELPA, and follows the policies and procedures of the SELPA. 

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