Lower Elementary

Elementary Program (Ages 6–12)

Our Montessori Elementary program is designed to inspire curiosity, independence, and a lifelong love of learning. Students are grouped into multi-age classrooms creating a collaborative community where children learn from and support one another. Within this three-year cycle, each child experiences being the youngest, middle, and oldest member of the class. This dynamic fosters leadership, empathy, and confidence as children naturally learn to both seek help and offer it. Building on the strong foundation of the Primary years, the Elementary program nurtures students into capable, thoughtful, and joyful learners.

Cosmic Education

At the heart of the Elementary experience is Cosmic Education. This was Maria Montessori’s vision for helping children understand the interconnectedness of all things. The cornerstone of Elementary begins with the Great Lessons, inspiring stories that introduce the “big picture” and spark curiosity about the world around them. As children grow, their thinking shifts from asking “What is it?” to “Why is it?” It is through exploration of cause and effect, systems, and interdependence, that students begin to understand both the natural world and human society. With teachers acting as guides, students learn to navigate social dynamics, resolve conflicts respectfully, and develop essential life skills such as communication, compromise, and responsibility.

Hands-On, Interdisciplinary Learning

Learning in the Elementary classroom is active, interconnected, and driven by curiosity. Subjects such as biology, history, grammar, mathematics, and the arts are woven together to support critical thinking, creativity, and deep understanding. Students begin with hands-on Montessori materials and gradually move toward more abstract thinking, independent research, and written work. Through storytelling, visual materials, and guided inquiry, children explore the vast scope of human knowledge from the origins of the universe to the development of civilizations.The classroom environment encourages both individual and small-group exploration, with students sharing discoveries and contributing to a rich culture of learning. This approach allows children to pursue their interests while gaining exposure to a broad and meaningful curriculum. Learning extends beyond the classroom through “Going Outs,” where students visit real-world locations connected to their studies. These experiences foster independence, responsibility, and collaboration while helping children see the relevance of their learning.

A Curriculum That Grows With the Child

Our integrated curriculum allows each child to progress at their own pace, building confidence and genuine self-esteem through meaningful achievement. With guidance from teachers, students are encouraged to explore their interests deeply, both in the classroom and beyond.

This continuity of learning nurtures independence, intrinsic motivation, and a lasting sense of curiosity.

A day in the life of the Acres Grove Student

Students arrive and begin individual classroom activities between 7:30am and 8:30am. Our work period will start around 8:30am including OLE (Outdoor Learning Environment), indoor classroom lessons and work period, morning snack, and some outdoor free play. Lunch will be after our morning work period and transition to indoor rest or nap period based on the child’s needs and age. After the rest period, an afternoon snack is provided and we allow time for the children to transition to afternoon activities, extended day programming, additional outdoor activities, and free play. Our school closes at 5:00pm M-F.

We will shift this schedule during the warmer summer months so the children spend more outdoor time in the morning/early afternoon and spend more classroom time as the temperatures rise in the late afternoon.


*All snacks provided by Acres Grove. Students will be required to supply daily lunch. Please keep in mind that we are a nut free school.