Kindergarten
MAC’s Integrated Kindergarten (IK) is a magical culmination of children’s Primary years; it is the critical capstone of a Montessori early childhood education. Our IK program is specifically designed to empower every student to thrive.
MAC's Integrated Kindergarten engages students academically, socially, and emotionally. The morning is spent in the classroom where students participate in work that serves as the pathway to the beginning stages of reasoning and abstraction. The Kindergartners work individually and in small groups as they continue to refine and consolidate their skills in reading, writing, math, science, practical life, and self-regulation within the community. In the afternoon, the students have the opportunity to work in their Kindergarten cohorts and when possible, buddy with Lower Elementary. The Kindergartners participate in Art, Music, Movement, and time with MAC’s Literacy Specialist. These classes offer diverse and intellectual experiences that incorporate elements of history, cultural awareness, storytelling, and physical self-expression into the curriculum.
The Kindergarten year is when children continue to mature socially and emotionally. Because MAC offers mixed-age groups and a low student-teacher ratio, older children show not only a willingness, but sheer delight in leading their peers by giving lessons and helping them practice new skills, this reinforces social development and builds character in the student’s leadership skills, patience, and empathy.
The activities created by Maria Montessori accurately reflect the emotional, social, and cognitive needs of students in a given plane. Skipping the third year, or enrolling a student in a non-Montessori setting, risks placing them in an environment where the skills and lessons don’t follow with best practices for their developmental needs.
Why Integrated Kindergarten at MAC?
More Focus On Academic Rigor
Because children in Montessori classrooms work at an individualized pace taught to them in the way that they learn best, they can soar without limits. This ensures that students are engaged, especially in their IK year when their abilities are prime for laying academic foundations that last for life. There is more focus on academic rigor and teachers use progress monitoring tools to create individualized instruction. Children cement their curiosity, love of learning, and intellectual development through the IK program.
Growth of Leadership Skills
IK students develop their voices and their role as leaders during this year. These oldest students have the unique opportunity to understand what it means to be a leader through their strong IK cohort and know their importance within the classroom. Our teachers give direct instruction about the responsibility that accompanies leadership, and our IK students practice these skills each day. Whether it is assisting a younger child with a lesson or leading a small group, IK students leave Primary with the confidence that will endure throughout their schooling.
Expansion of Knowledge and Curiosity
In response to their rapidly developing curiosity and excitement to dig deeper into subject matter, our IK students spend several afternoons each week with other IK and Lower Elementary students participating in advanced art and music. This opportunity creates a strong foundation for relationship building, social-emotional development, and prepares the IK student to dive right in without a learning curve when they reach 1st grade at MAC.
Tuition Assistance
We strive to increase financial accessibility to MAC and have several opportunities to help families afford a MAC education. MAC offers financial assistance options to eligible students including our Tuition Adjustment program, Curtis Park Scholarship, Endowment Scholarship and Middle School Merit Scholarship. Click here to learn more.
Program Highlights
Integrated Kindergarten is a Pinnacle Year for our Students
We track each child’s growth carefully and use Transparent Classroom to keep detailed records to ensure the Montessori curriculum is aligned with common core standards. You can expect your IK student to experience a robust and comprehensive year full of academic and social-emotional growth.
To learn more about our IK program and curriculum, download the program profile below.
Now accepting applications! To learn more about our admissions process click below.