Offering Pre-K through 6th grade

Full Day/Half Day and Summer Camp Sessions

Mission Statement

Green Friends Montessori School supports the holistic development of each child and aims to awaken in each child the internal drive for exploration. Our peaceful educational community promotes care, responsibility, and leadership.

Admission Policies and Procedures

Admission is considered for children from 3 years through 6th grade. It is Green Friends Montessori School’s (GFMS) policy to provide an environment that is free from unlawful discrimination of any type, including discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. This policy governs all aspects of our school’s operations.

Values Statement

We, Green Friends Montessori School, believe in Dr. Montessori’s philosophy and method and abide by the principle that each child develops at his or her own pace through individual discovery. We recognize the child’s need for hands-on experiences to develop his intelligence and sense of self, and we provide scientifically prepared classrooms where children guide themselves from simple to complicated concepts in language, mathematics, and the sciences, as well as sensorial explorations and practical life skills. Our educational community promotes the development of positive personality strengths, problem-solving skills, self-confidence, and a sense of responsibility to oneself, others, and the environment. Our nature-based Montessori experiences are developed to increase the child’s natural curiosity and respect for the world around him.

The Elementary Program

Introduction

In the Montessori Elementary program (1st-6th grade), each student follows his or her natural drive for learning at an individualized pace. In this learning environment, the student is nurtured as an enthusiastic, curious, dedicated, responsible, and self-directed manner. Utilizing open-ended 3 hour work periods, the student is able to dive deeply into studies and projects and is allowed freedom of movement through the classroom, and choice of independent or collaborative work.

Elementary Curriculum and Learning Experiences

The students utilize hands-on materials to explore increasingly abstract concepts in all the curricular areas, including practical life, math, geometry, language arts, history, geography, and the sciences. What's more, art, music, physical education, and Spanish language are also interwoven into the elementary curriculum. The Montessori philosophy follows a spiral curriculum, in which the student returns to major themes in the curriculum every 3 years, exploring concepts in increasingly detailed and abstract ways. Through this learning style, the student gains a solid understanding of the interrelatedness of the curricular areas and their individual learning experiences.

During the elementary years, the student transitions from concrete to increasingly abstract thinking and develops his or her power of reasoning. Social relationships, a sense of community, individual and collective responsibility, and justice are important developments in the elementary student. From the ages of 6-12, the student derives great satisfaction and enhanced learning through collaborative, small-group work. In the Montessori elementary environment, socialization becomes the catalyst for learning. Students' interest fuel each other, and each student's natural abilities are utilized and appreciated by the group. Though students frequently work in pairs or small groups on projects, the need for individual work is also honored and respected in this environment.

Natured-based Focus

At Green Friends Montessori School, nature studies are interwoven into many curricular areas. We recognize the profound importance of helping youth connect with nature as they discover their personal identities and place in the world, while becoming stewards of their communities and the Earth. Utilizing access to 150 acres of open space adjoining the school, the students explore restored prairie, forest groves, agricultural land, and riparian habitat along Blackberry Creek. Hands-on learning is conducted on topics such as habitats and ecosystems, animal behavior and lifecycles, phenology, botany, gardening and agriculture, earth and soil science, water quality, and habitat restoration. Elementary students have daily access to the outdoors for nature studies, recreation, and yes, play!

Assessment and Homework

In the Montessori environment, there are no tests. Rather, meaningful assessment of a student's learning is conducted collaboratively by the teacher and student through observation of the student's work, one-on-one discussions, the use of a work journal, and teacher and student evaluations of projects. Since there are no time lags during the school day waiting for the class to move on or catch up, time is used effectively and efficiently, thus homework becomes unnecessary for the elementary student.

Our Programs

Ready to Get Started?

Green Friends Montessori School in Elburn is conveniently located for Elburn, La Fox, Campton Hills, Maple Park, and surrounding area children.

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​Offering Pre-K through 6th grade