Primary School

Program explanation

Dr. Montessori developed the Primary program (ages 3-6) based on children’s actual development at this exciting age.  Dr. Montessori realized that children this age are capable of so much more than we typically give them credit.  That is why the HMS Primary program has such tremendous breadth and depth.  The foundational goal of the Primary program is for the child to develop a sense of order, concentration skills, coordination and independence (OCCI).  These are the foundation because without them, children do not have the necessary focus and skills to become successful students.  But the curriculum is so much more than OCCI.  Realizing the potential of young children, Dr. Montessori included Practical Life, Sensorial, Language (reading and writing), Math, Science (Earth science, astronomy, botany, zoology and anatomy), Cultural (geography), Art, Music, Spanish and Physical Education in the Primary program.

Harbor Montessori’s program has rigorous academics that often prepare children two or three years beyond their counterparts.  For example, the typical kindergartner who has been at HMS for three years is reading and doing four-digit addition.  In the Montessori program, each child is given individual lessons that contain kinesthetic, auditory and visual components.  What does that mean?  Every child’s needs are met – no matter what style of learner they are, no matter how quickly they master material, no matter how slowly they need to go in a subject they find more challenging.  Children are not bored waiting for others to catch up, nor left behind because they simply needed more time to master a concept.  Please note that we work for mastery and true understanding, not rote memorization.

Another important aspect of the Montessori Primary program is the multi-age classroom.  Younger children develop intrinsic motivation because they want to do what they see the older children doing.  Older children solidify their mastery of a subject when helping to teach a younger child.  The children also have the opportunity to experience different social roles, no matter what their birth order might be.  Lastly, the children develop leadership skills as they move through the three-year program.

Last, but not least, the Montessori program is unique as it addresses the development of the whole child.  Grace and courtesy is continually taught and reinforced as a foundation of social development.  Lessons to assist children with emotional development are included, in addition to, fine and gross motor development.  

Our curriculum allows children to work individually or in small groups.  All of these components (our four pillars noted at the bottom of this page) come together to create self-confident, compassionate, independent, articulate and academically well-prepared students who are ready for the challenges that lie ahead in our Elementary program.