Ridgemont Montessori School, McLean

At Ridgemont, we foster a love of learning within our students and create a setting where children learn at their own pace in a cooperative atmosphere. We feel fortunate to have a sense of community present, not only within our classrooms, but also within our parent group. was founded in McLean in 1965 and has served McLean and its surrounding areas since that time. We enroll 65 students in our school and adhere to the Montessori principles established by Dr. Maria Montessori and the Association Montessori Internationale. By visiting our website, we hope you will learn more about a Montessori education and what Ridgemont can offer your child. We welcome the opportunity to speak with you about Ridgemont and to have you visit our school. The Montessori Environment When your child steps into a Montessori classroom, a whole new world of activities and materials is made available to him. The Montessori classroom is a child-sized environment which offers your child a means for exploration, continuing development of movement, independent functioning, language development and positive social interaction. Dr.Montessori called the classroom a ”prepared environment”. The Montessori materials are kept on low shelves that are easy for a young child to reach. Children are free to choose the materials they want to use as well as select the place in the classroom where they want to work as long as they don’t interfere with the work of others. Our only requirement is that the classroom materials be used with purpose and that everything be returned to its original place when finished. Within this framework,The Ridgemont Montessori School is dedicated to offering a joyful and supportive learning environment. We realize that each child is a unique individual with different needs. We are sensitive to this diversity and provide a classroom environment where children develop a love of learning and a curiosity about the world in which they live. Our students learn at their own pace in a cooperative atmosphere. They are encouraged to make choices in order to develop a sense of independence and self-worth. The Montessori materials provide concrete learning experiences and the joy of discovery. We believe that the impressions formed today have a lasting impact on a child’s attitude towards learning and life itself. Toddler Classroom The Toddler class at Ridgemont Montessori School is a small community of children, numbering no more than nine students. The environment provides opportunity for socialization, language enrichment, sensorial exploration, and coordination of movement. Sharing and cooperation are also stressed. We want your child to feel secure in what may be his first experience away from his family. Hours and Days The Toddler class meets Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. The minimum age requirement is 18 months. It is suggested, though not required, that children enter by their second birthday in order to benefit from at least six months in the program. Toddler students may move into the Primary classes at around 3 years of age. Readiness is determined by the Toddler teacher and the child’s parents. A child entering the Primary class must be toilet-trained. Nutrition Each day at mid-morning, the children come together for a snack. They assist the teacher in preparing the food, setting the tables, serving each other, and cleaning up afterward. This is a popular daily event! Parents provide the daily snack for the Toddler class. The menu schedule is set up at the beginning of the school year. Primary In a mixed-age setting that is a part of a Montessori environment, a true community is formed. The children remain in the same class and usually have the same teacher for the three or four years that they are at the school. They learn from each other in a cooperative atmosphere where respect for one another is encouraged. The younger children have many opportunities each day to observe the work and activities of their older classmates. On the other hand, the older children grow in self-confidence and learn responsibilty from being the oldest. They also have an opportunity to reinforce their knowledge when they are able to share it with their younger classmates. There are three Primary classes at Ridgemont comprised of children between three and six years of age. Our class sizes range between 18 and 20 students. When considering a Montessori education for your child, it is best to keep in mind that the Primary Montessori program takes three to four years to complete. The Primary Montessori classroom is divided into four curriculum areas: Practical Life, Sensorial, Mathematics and Language. Geography, art, and music are also a part of the daily life in a Montessori class.