Our Programs
Every West Hills Montessori program is designed to nurture and preserve your child’s natural curiosity while revealing their individual paths of interest. Specially prepared environments meet the physical, cognitive, and social needs of your child, while satisfying their intrinsic interests and igniting the flame of lifelong learning.
Each classroom and curriculum addresses the specific needs of the age group it serves. The following key philosophical features span every level of our Montessori curriculum and assure a full and successful experience for your child:
Mixed-age groupings:
Children are grouped in mixed ages and abilities (15 months – 2+ years, 3-6, 6-9, 9-12) to allow for natural social interactions across peer groups, collaborative learning, and peer to peer teaching. Children are challenged according to their ability (rather than their age) and move through the curriculum at their own pace.
Open-ended Curriculum:
The Montessori curriculum, which is ungraded and open-ended to allow for individual learning styles and pace, follows your child’s own interest and abilities. Montessori teachers (Guides) offer carefully prepared lessons in which concepts are presented sequentially to lay a strong foundation for future learning and deeper comprehension. Our AMI certified Montessori teachers are trained to oversee your child’s process, assuring a complete experience of the integrated curriculum at every level.
Freedom within limits:
Each Montessori environment is carefully prepared to support your child’s developing independence by allowing a large measure of liberty within clearly defined limited based upon respect for self and others. This approach forms the basis of self-discipline. Children choose freely from among the activities they have been presented, and they choose where and with whom to work. Freedom of choice is limited only by the child’s ability to meet reasonable social expectations within a respect-based community.
Montessori Program Options:
We offer the following Montessori program options to meet your child’s individual needs:
Ages 15 months to 2+ years (Lake Oswego):
Ages 3 to 6 (Both Campuses):
Ages 6 to 12 (Vermont Street):
Extended care options:
Our Programs
Every West Hills Montessori program is designed to nurture and preserve your child’s natural curiosity while revealing their individual paths of interest. Specially prepared environments meet the physical, cognitive, and social needs of your child, while satisfying their intrinsic interests and igniting the flame of lifelong learning.
Each classroom and curriculum addresses the specific needs of the age group it serves. The following key philosophical features span every level of our Montessori curriculum and assure a full and successful experience for your child:
Mixed-age groupings:
Children are grouped in mixed ages and abilities (15 months – 3 years, 3-6, 6-9, 9-12) to allow for natural social interactions across peer groups, collaborative learning, and peer to peer teaching. Children are challenged according to their ability (rather than their age) and move through the curriculum at their own pace.
Open-ended Curriculum:
The Montessori curriculum, which is ungraded and open-ended to allow for individual learning styles and pace, follows your child’s own interest and abilities. Montessori teachers (Guides) offer carefully prepared lessons in which concepts are presented sequentially to lay a strong foundation for future learning and deeper comprehension. Our AMI certified Montessori teachers are trained to oversee your child’s process, assuring a complete experience of the integrated curriculum at every level.
Freedom within limits:
Each Montessori environment is carefully prepared to support your child’s developing independence by allowing a large measure of liberty within clearly defined limited based upon respect for self and others. This approach forms the basis of self-discipline. Children choose freely from among the activities they have been presented, and they choose where and with whom to work. Freedom of choice is limited only by the child’s ability to meet reasonable social expectations within a respect-based community.
Montessori Program Options:
We offer the following Montessori program options to meet your child’s individual needs:
Ages 15 months to 3 years (Lake Oswego):
Ages 3 to 6 (Both Campuses):
Ages 6 to 12 (Vermont Street):
Extended care options:
The Toddler Community (Lake Oswego Campus) – Ages 15 months to 2+ years
The Toddler Community serves our youngest students, ages fifteen months to 2+ years. A child must be a confident walker to be ready for the Toddler class.
In this home-like setting, twelve children learn and live as a group, under the careful oversight of a trained Montessori Toddler Guide and two assistants.
As toddlers explore the world together, they naturally develop respect for self and empathy for others. They spend their days in a specially prepared environment where their drive towards independence is supported and nurtured through activities that develop motor skills, body control, independence, and confidence.
Growing in Respect, Empathy, Community
Rich in opportunities for physical, sensorial, intellectual, and social learning, culture of the Toddler classroom offer children many and varied experiences that support their growing minds and bodies.
The Toddler Community (Lake Oswego Campus) – Ages 15 months to 3 years
The Toddler Community serves our youngest students, ages fifteen months to three years. A child must be a confident walker to be ready for the Toddler class.
In this home-like setting, twelve children learn and live as a group, under the careful oversight of a trained Montessori Toddler Guide and two assistants.
As toddlers explore the world together, they naturally develop respect for self and empathy for others. They spend their days in a specially prepared environment where their drive towards independence is supported and nurtured through activities that develop motor skills, body control, independence, and confidence.
Growing in Respect, Empathy, Community
Rich in opportunities for physical, sensorial, intellectual, and social learning, culture of the Toddler classroom offer children many and varied experiences that support their growing minds and bodies.
Montessori Primary Program (Vermont Street & Lake Oswego) – Ages 3 to 6
Curiosity, Exploration, Independence
The Montessori Primary curriculum is designed to help your child develop mastery of self and environment, and to gain social awareness which is essential for success in school and in life.
Academic subjects are introduced through concrete, manipulative materials which utilize all five senses and lay the ground work for future abstract thinking.
Curriculum
The Primary teacher provides a sequence of lessons and activities which naturally engage and challenge the young child. These lessons span five areas of learning, including:
- Practical life and social skills
- Sensorial exploration
- Cultural studies (including music and art, science and botany, history and geography)
- Mathematics
- Language
Group Lessons
Although the greatest part of each morning is devoted to individual lessons and work, your child will also enjoy daily group activities such as singing, storytelling and outdoor play. Listening and speaking skills are emphasized as the children are introduced to cultural explorations which include basic Spanish conversation, counting and songs.
Extended Day Program (ages 5- 6)
The Extended Day program is for primary students ages 5 and older who are ready for a longer school day beyond 1:00. Once a child is 5 years old, they are required to stay for Extended Day until 3:00pm.
Five Areas of Learning
Practical Life & Social Skills
Practical living activities prepare your young child to care for themselves and their environment while gaining a sense of personal mastery and self-confidence. Performing such tasks as sweeping, polishing, and washing, children develop coordination of movement, concentration, and the ability to follow a task through to completion. Beginning with practical and social skills to build independence and self-esteem, children learn to keep track of their belongings, to care for their environment, and to treat others with grace and respect.
Cultural Subjects
Your child will learn about people and cultures throughout the world through exploring their geographic region and topography, history, food, music, artifacts, holiday celebrations, and other cultural observations.
Sensorial Exercises
Scientifically developed Montessori materials are designed to heighten your child’s senses, thus allowing them to more deeply internalize, understand and classify their environment. Through distinguishing, categorizing, and comparing concrete concepts such as shape, dimension, and color, your child will develop a foundation for understanding the abstract.
Mathematics
Your child will learn basic mathematical functions and operations by using manipulative materials such as rods, beads, sandpaper numerals, and Cards and Counters, which give concrete form to the abstraction of numbers. The Montessori materials are self-correcting, thus allowing your child to learn to solve mathematical problems based upon a real experience of the concept.
Language
The Montessori approach to language begins with the enrichment and building of new vocabulary through individual and small group language lessons. Simultaneously, your three year old will begin using simple sandpaper letterforms and alphabet cutouts to learn the sounds of letters and the ways they can connect to form simple phonetic words and, later, sentences and stories. Concurrently, your child will develop the small muscle coordination necessary to master writing, through the exercises of the practical life and sensorial areas of the environment.
Group Lessons
Although the greatest part of each morning is devoted to individual lessons and work, your child will also enjoy daily group activities such as singing, storytelling, and outdoor play. Listening and speaking skills are emphasized as the children are introduced to cultural explorations which include basic Spanish conversation, counting, and songs.
Extended Day Program (ages 5- 6)
The Extended Day program is for primary students ages 5 and older who are ready for a longer school day beyond 1:00. Once a child is 5 years old, they are required to stay for Extended Day until 3:00pm.
Montessori Primary Program (Vermont Street & Lake Oswego) – Ages 3 to 6
Curiosity, Exploration, Independence
The Montessori Primary curriculum is designed to help your child develop mastery of self and environment, and to gain social awareness which is essential for success in school and in life.
Academic subjects are introduced through concrete, manipulative materials which utilize all five senses and lay the ground work for future abstract thinking.
Primary Program Curriculum
The Primary teacher provides a sequence of lessons and activities which naturally engage and challenge the young child. These lessons span five areas of learning, including:
- Practical life and social skills
- Sensorial exploration
- Cultural studies (including music and art, science and botany, history and geography)
- Mathematics
- Language
Group Lessons
Although the greatest part of each morning is devoted to individual lessons and work, your child will also enjoy daily group activities such as singing, storytelling, and outdoor play. Listening and speaking skills are emphasized as the children are introduced to cultural explorations which include basic Spanish conversation, counting, and songs.
Extended Day Program (ages 5- 6)
The Extended Day program is for primary students ages 5 and older who are ready for a longer school day beyond 1:00. Once a child is 5 years old, they are required to stay for Extended Day until 3:00pm.
Five Areas of Learning in Primary Program
Practical Life & Social Skills
Practical living activities prepare your young child to care for themselves and their environment while gaining a sense of personal mastery and self-confidence. Performing such tasks as sweeping, polishing, and washing, children develop coordination of movement, concentration, and the ability to follow a task through to completion. Beginning with practical and social skills to build independence and self-esteem, children learn to keep track of their belongings, to care for their environment, and to treat others with grace and respect.
Cultural Subjects
Your child will learn about people and cultures throughout the world through exploring their geographic region and topography, history, food, music, artifacts, holiday celebrations, and other cultural observations.
Sensorial Exercises
Scientifically developed Montessori materials are designed to heighten your child’s senses, thus allowing them to more deeply internalize, understand, and classify their environment. Through distinguishing, categorizing and comparing concrete concepts such as shape, dimension, and color, your child will develop a foundation for understanding the abstract.
Mathematics
Your child will learn basic mathematical functions and operations by using manipulative materials such as rods, beads, sandpaper numerals, and Cards and Counters, which give concrete form to the abstraction of numbers. The Montessori materials are self-correcting, thus allowing your child to learn to solve mathematical problems based upon a real experience of the concept.
Language
The Montessori approach to language begins with the enrichment and building of new vocabulary through individual and small group language lessons. Simultaneously, your three year old will begin using simple sandpaper letterforms and alphabet cutouts to learn the sounds of letters and the ways they can connect to form simple phonetic words and, later, sentences and stories. Concurrently, your child will develop the small muscle coordination necessary to master writing, through the exercises of the practical life and sensorial areas of the environment.
Group Lessons
Although the greatest part of each morning is devoted to individual lessons and work, your child will also enjoy daily group activities such as singing, storytelling and outdoor play. Listening and speaking skills are emphasized as the children are introduced to cultural explorations which include basic Spanish conversation, counting and songs.
Extended Day Program (ages 5- 6)
The Extended Day program is for primary students ages 5 and older who are ready for a longer school day beyond 1:00. Once a child is 5 years old, they are required to stay for Extended Day until 3:00pm.
Montessori Elementary Program (Vermont Street Campus)
Where Primary children engage in sensory explorations of the physical world, the elementary child will explore the whole of the universe and the evolution of humanity through the power of the imagination. The Elementary program is creative and open-ended, offering in-depth study of geography, biology, history, language, mathematics, science, music, and art. This approach supports your child’s development of critical executive functioning skills such as planning, organizing, strategizing, and problem solving.
Montessori Elementary may be the perfect fit for your confident, inquisitive, self-directed child.
Contact Us to schedule a classroom observation and tour of our facilities.
The Keys to the Cosmos
The Montessori Elementary Program provides a natural continuation of the foundational work in the Primary, within a collaborative learning environment designed to serve the inquisitive nature of your older child.
Montessori Elementary Program (Vermont Street Campus)
Where Primary children engage in sensory explorations of the physical world, the elementary child will explore the whole of the universe and the evolution of humanity through the power of the imagination. The Elementary program is creative and open-ended, offering in-depth study of geography, biology, history, language, mathematics, science, music, and art. This approach supports your child’s development of critical executive functioning skills such as planning, organizing, strategizing, and problem solving.
Montessori Elementary may be the perfect fit for your confident, inquisitive, self-directed child.
Contact Us to schedule a classroom observation and tour of our facilities.
The Keys to the Cosmos
The Montessori Elementary Program provides a natural continuation of the foundational work in the Primary, within a collaborative learning environment designed to serve the inquisitive nature of your older child.
Extended Care Options:
Nap Program (ages 3 – 4)
All three and four-year-old children who are enrolled in the 9am–3pm program will participate in the school nap program. A nap is not provided for children in the half day (9am–12pm or 9am–1pm) classes.
Nap rooms are staffed by at least two adults. Nap is mandatory for those children who are not yet old enough to join the Extended Day portion of the Montessori class, which traditionally occurs around age five. A quiet rest time begins at around 1:15, stories are read and music is played. After a period of rest, children may engage in quiet activities such as table games, reading books, art projects, and puzzles.
After School Care (ages 3 – 12)
Our after school programs (PM Care) provide a fun and engaging experience for children who stay for a longer day at school. In after care, your child will enjoy supervised arts and crafts, indoor and outdoor games and play, snacks, and stories. The PM Care Program operates from 3:15-5:00 pm for our Elementary Programs, 3:00-5:00 pm for our Primary Program, and 3:00-4:00 pm for our Toddler Program.
Our extended care programs follow the guiding principles of Montessori education, including:
- Beautifully prepared child-sized environments where children learn and play in many different ways, individually and in pairs and groups, inside and outside, at tables and on the floor.
- Bright and attractive materials provide for sensory and intellectual experiences.
- Children are free to choose activities that interest them and are supported in regulating their own social interactions with confidence and grace.
Summer Program
West Hills’ Summer program merges a Montessori approach with traditional learning and play, music, arts and crafts, and outdoor activities. Flexible full-day programs provide an active and educational learning experience for currently enrolled children ages 15 months-12. Any additional summer space will be offered to siblings, alumni and new students registered for the upcoming school year.
Toddlers at the Lake Oswego Campus and children ages 3-6 at both campuses attend a Montessori class, led by our AMI trained staff. Lower Elementary children at the Vermont Street Campus enjoy theme-based summer sessions including songwriting, drama, yoga, and Spanish. Our summer program is offered in June and July, 5 days a week at both campuses.
Extended Care Options:
Nap Program (ages 3 – 4)
All three and four-year-old children who are enrolled in the 9am–3pm program will participate in the school nap program. A nap is not provided for children in the half day (9am–12pm or 9am–1pm) classes.
Nap rooms are staffed by at least two adults. Nap is mandatory for those children who are not yet old enough to join the Extended Day portion of the Montessori class, which traditionally occurs around age five. A quiet rest time begins at around 1:15, stories are read and music is played. After a period of rest, children may engage in quiet activities such as table games, reading books, art projects, and puzzles.
After School Care (ages 3 – 12)
Our before and after school programs provide a fun and engaging experience for children who stay for a longer day at school. In before and after care, your child will enjoy supervised arts and crafts, indoor and outdoor games and play, snacks, and stories. The program operates in the morning from 7:15 a.m. until the start of the Montessori school day at 8:45am, and in the afternoon from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Our extended care programs follow the guiding principles of Montessori education, including:
- Beautifully prepared child-sized environments where children learn and play in many different ways, individually and in pairs and groups, inside and outside, at tables and on the floor.
- Bright and attractive materials provide for sensory and intellectual experiences.
- Children are free to choose activities that interest them and are supported in regulating their own social interactions with confidence and grace.
Summer Program
West Hills’ Summer program merges a Montessori approach with traditional learning and play, music, arts and crafts, and outdoor activities. Flexible full-day programs provide an active and educational learning experience for currently enrolled children ages 15 months-12. Any additional summer space will be offered to siblings, alumni and new students registered for the upcoming school year.
Toddlers at the Lake Oswego Campus and children ages 3-6 at both campuses attend a Montessori class, led by our AMI trained staff. Lower Elementary children at the Vermont Street Campus enjoy theme-based summer sessions including songwriting, drama, yoga, and Spanish. Our summer program is offered in June and July, 5 days a week at both campuses.