At Marymoor Bilingual Montessori, we value a supportive learning environment. We respect each child's individual learning style and need for self-directed learning.

* We are celebrating “30 years” of teaching preschool and Kindergarten children.

* Our school has 2 classrooms. There are no more than 20 children in each classroom with a Montessori – licensed lead teacher and an assistant.

* We have mixed ages in the classrooms 3, 4, 5 turning 6 years old.

* The student to teach ratio is 10 to 1.

* All the lead teachers have been teaching here for a minimum of 10 years.

* We have 2 parent-teacher conferences each school year.

* We have 2 new parent meetings in September and October when we explain to the parents the 4 different areas of the classroom – practical life, sensorial, language and math.

* We have a Mother’s visit in November. We invite the mothers to come into the classroom with their children and enjoy the activities their children are doing in school.

*We have a Father’s visit in February. We invite the fathers to come into the classrooms with their children and enjoy the activities their children are doing.

* There is a “Fun Friday” event each month. These activities are organized by the parents. This is a wonderful opportunity for parents to meet other parents and the other children in the school.

* We also teach Spanish or daily basis in bilingual classroom.

* Our preschool offers an opportunity for children, ages 3 to 6 to experience Spanish as a second language in a warm environment.

* All students are welcome, regardless of race, origin and religion or beliefs.

* Learn more about the Montessori approach here.

The Montessori Classroom

The classroom is a well balanced community of children ages 3 to 6. It is much like a family group.

The prepared Montessori environment has five different areas in the classroom where the children are able to learn in their unique time frame:

The Sensorial Area

Children live the world of senses, through sight, touch, sound, taste and smell. The sensorial Montessori materials enable them to clarify, classify and comprehend their world.

The Practical Life Area

It provides the link between home and school. With child size tools that really work, the young child is able to perform the same activities they have seen adults to do, such as scrubbing, pouring, sweeping and polishing. The motions help them gain gross motor control and hand-eye coordination.

The Language Area

It contains the tactile foundation for writing and reading. Marymoor Bilingual Montessori School provides the child the Spanish sand-paper letters and matching objects to learn the sounds and develop their vocabulary. The children have Spanish lessons during circle time, as a group, and also individual lessons associated with their age and level of Spanish knowledge.

The Math Area

The Montessori mathematical materials allow the child to go from the concrete to the abstract through manipulation and experimentation. The child learns the concept of "how many" because they can hold the amount in their hands. Later on they can perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division using concrete materials.

Arts and Music

They are integrated into the prepared environment as part of the day to day activities. Through music and movement activities the children will be able to sing songs in Spanish and also learn some Latin dance steps.

To become fluent in a foreign language experts agree it is best to begin learning it prior to age 10. Yet in the United States, foreign language instruction rarely begins before junior or senior high school. By that time, no matter how hard they try, most students will never achieve the pronunciation, intonation and facility with grammar of a native speaker.

Here are some interesting articles, statistics and research about the influence of the Spanish language, and the importance of bilingual education:

Why is the Spanish language so Important?

Studies have found that learning a second language at an early age has many benefits:

There is a positive effect on intellectual growth.

Students are left with more flexibility in thinking, greater sensitivity to language, and a better ear for listening.

It opens the door to other cultures and helps children understand and appreciate people from other countries.

It will help your children to have a positive attitude towards learning a second language.

Students have increased job opportunities where knowledge of another language is a great asset.

Please feel to contact us for additional information about the programs and their availability.