What is the Children's House program?

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Our three Children's Houses serve children ages 33 months to 6 years (preschool and kindergarten. Each classroom has about 27 students, one lead Montessori-trained teacher and one to two assistants. Our program emphasizes language development, mathematical thinking, peaceful problem solving, and physical, social, and intellectual independence. Children stay in the same classroom for three years, ensuring that teachers get to know their unique learning styles and that they become strong, confident leaders. Children ages 3 and 4 are enrolled in our tuition-based preschool, Bright Water Montessori. Prospective kindergartners must enter a lottery to be enrolled in the elementary program. Our work with the children centers on each child's desire to "help me to do it by myself." We provide many practical life and art activities, from baking, sewing, and painting to scrubbing tables and caring for plants. We provide a wealth of language activities that inspire children to be passionate about storytelling, learning the sounds of the alphabet, writing, and reading. To help build children's mathematical thinking and problem-solving skills, we encourage children to work with manipulatives that teach them to count and to understand quantity. Our overall approach is to serve the whole child and help him or her fully develop socially, emotionally, physically, and intellectually.

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What does a typical day look like in Children's House?

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Here is a typical day: ​

• Arrival: The children arrive between 8:45 and 9:00 am (or can arrive as early as 7:15 am for our before-school program). They begin their day by hanging up coats, putting on indoor shoes, and greeting friends and teachers.

• Morning work: Children have an uninterrupted morning of hands-on activities in four main areas: practical life (everyday activities like flower arranging and food preparation), sensorial (hands-on exploration with the five senses), language (spoken and written language), and math using manipulatives like blocks and beads. The teacher shows children new activities one-on-one or in small groups.

• Snack: Children help prepare morning snack for their classmates and have their snack two children at a time throughout e morning.

• Recess: They go outside to our nature playscape for 30 minutes of outdoor play.

• Lunch: We provide a healthy hot lunch in the lunch area.

• Nap or rest: Depending upon their needs, children rest in the classroom or take a full nap.

• Afternoon: Children continue their hands-on activities until their parents pick them up, between 4:00 (when the school day ends) and 5:30 (when after-care ends).

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What is the Children's House program?

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Our three Children's Houses serve children ages 33 months to 6 years (preschool and kindergarten. Each classroom has about 27 students, one lead Montessori-trained teacher and one to two assistants. Our program emphasizes language development, mathematical thinking, peaceful problem solving, and physical, social, and intellectual independence. Children stay in the same classroom for three years, ensuring that teachers get to know their unique learning styles and that they become strong, confident leaders. Children ages 3 and 4 are enrolled in our tuition-based preschool, Bright Water Montessori. Prospective kindergartners must enter a lottery to be enrolled in the elementary program. Our work with the children centers on each child's desire to "help me to do it by myself." We provide many practical life and art activities, from baking, sewing, and painting to scrubbing tables and caring for plants. We provide a wealth of language activities that inspire children to be passionate about storytelling, learning the sounds of the alphabet, writing, and reading. To help build children's mathematical thinking and problem-solving skills, we encourage children to work with manipulatives that teach them to count and to understand quantity. Our overall approach is to serve the whole child and help him or her fully develop socially, emotionally, physically, and intellectually.

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What does a typical day look like in Children's House?

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Here is a typical day: ​

• Arrival: The children arrive between 8:45 and 9:00 am (or can arrive as early as 7:15 am for our before-school program). They begin their day by hanging up coats, putting on indoor shoes, and greeting friends and teachers.

• Morning work: Children have an uninterrupted morning of hands-on activities in four main areas: practical life (everyday activities like flower arranging and food preparation), sensorial (hands-on exploration with the five senses), language (spoken and written language), and math using manipulatives like blocks and beads. The teacher shows children new activities one-on-one or in small groups.

• Snack: Children help prepare morning snack for their classmates and have their snack two children at a time throughout e morning.

• Recess: They go outside to our nature playscape for 30 minutes of outdoor play.

• Lunch: We provide a healthy hot lunch in the lunch area.

• Nap or rest: Depending upon their needs, children rest in the classroom or take a full nap.

• Afternoon: Children continue their hands-on activities until their parents pick them up, between 4:00 (when the school day ends) and 5:30 (when after-care ends).

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What is the Elementary School program.

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A free, public charter school, JJ Legacy is an urban-based Montessori program designed to inspire students to be passionate, life-long learners. We are an intentionally diverse community of children and caring adults. The elementary Montessori program is a holistic approach to help children develop intellectually, physically, and socially into respectful, caring, and engaged young people. Each elementary classroom has about 27 students, one Montessori-trained teacher, and one to two assistants. All Montessori classrooms include a three-year age range, ensuring that teachers get to know children's unique learning styles and that children become strong, confident leaders. Our Elementary school includes these environments:

1. Kindergartners are a part of the Children's House, where they hold the responsibility of the leader.
2. Children in grades 1 to 3 are together in a lower elementary classroom. Our lower elementary classrooms are named Canary Prairie and Eagles Nest.
3. Children in grades 4 to 6 are together in an upper elementary classroom. Our upper elementary classrooms are called Gray Wolves and Black Bears.

Our work with the children centers on children's desires to become independent learners and contributing members of their classroom community. We provide a rich curriculum and hands-on materials in the areas of language, mathematics, geometry, geography, biology, zoology, history, art, and music. Children have ample opportunity to develop their social connections and problem solving skills as they work in collaborative groups.

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What does a typical day look like in an Elementary Classroom?

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A typical day in lower and upper elementary classrooms includes:

• Arrival: The children arrive between 8:45 and 9:00 am (or can arrive as early as 7:15 am for our before-school program).

• Morning work: Children make a to-do list for the day of the work they plan to accomplish. They have an uninterrupted morning of hands-on activities in language, mathematics, geometry, geography, science, history, art, and music. Throughout the morning, small groups of children are invited to lessons with the teacher. During work time, children choose where they work and with whom they work (as long as they are respectful and productive).

• Snack: Children help prepare morning snack for their classmates and have their snack two children at a time throughout the morning.

• Recess: They go outside for 30 minutes of outdoor play.

• Lunch: We provide a healthy hot lunch in the lunch area.

• Afternoon work: Children continue their lessons and hands-on activities until 4:00, when our regular school day ends.

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