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Our Program

Maria Montessori Charter Academy (“MMCA”) is a tuition–free, non-profit Kindergarten – 8th grade public elementary school emphasizing the Montessori philosophy within the accountability and framework of the CA state standards.

 

The school was founded in 2000 by a group of parents who wanted to have Montessori education available for all children, not just those who could afford a private school.  With our program, we combine what we believe are the best aspects of the Montessori philosophy with traditional “public school” materials.

 

Our school emphasizes all of the traditional standards-based subjects – reading, spelling, language, math, etc., while also emphasizing a broader curriculum, including geography, botany, zoology, art, practical life, etc. In addition, we use standard-based report cards to give parents a more accurate reflection of their child’s comparative knowledge base.

 

To meet our students’ needs, we put nearly all of our resources into our classrooms. Some of the more unique features of our school include:

 

  • Two CA credentialed teachers (with Montessori training) per classroom

 

  • We have multi-aged classrooms with student to teacher ratios of 17:1 or less

 

  • Interactive, manipulative-based hands on learning environment

 

  • Lessons are given in small, ability-based groups

 

  • Individualized learning plans are developed for every student, backed by continuous assessment of student performance

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Our Philosophy

Montessori philosophy states that a child has an innate desire to learn and produce purposeful, meaningful work. While there are many interpretations as to what exactly a “Montessori education” is, the relatively universal goals of a Montessori education would be to:

 

  • Stimulate the child’s innate love of learning

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  • Provide a nurturing, cooperative learning environment

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  • Incorporate all the senses in the learning experience

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  • Consider the whole child

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  • Encourage respect for self, others, the environment, and all life

Mission Statement

The mission of MMCA is to provide a Montessori-based educational environment which has the tools, programs, resources and support to enable students to become educated to high international academic standards and to develop themselves to their fullest capacity as competent, happy, productive individuals, family members, workers, and contributors to a better society and a peaceful world.

 

This is achieved through a heavy commitment from parents, teachers, community groups, the legislature and, most importantly, the individual child, and is grounded in a philosophy of trust in individuals to seek their own highest levels.

 

The attributes we strive to develop within our students include:

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  • Academic Excellence

  • Artistic Expression

  • Moral Character

  • Practical Accomplishments

  • Conflict Resolution Skills

  • Compassion and Service to Others

  • Visionary Leadership

  • Exceptional Courtesy and Manners

 

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