What is the difference between Montessori and Reggio-Emilia?

We appreciate many things about the Montessori curriculum. You will see many Montessori activities and classroom experiences. Reggio focuses on the whole child, documenting each step in visual aids, and providing the foundation for a lifetime love of learning. Reggio permits a wide range of imagination activities as a part of this learning foundation. Open-ended materials and freedom to develop curriculum and projects enhances the classroom environment. A great article by Community Playthings describes a Montessori classroom converting to a Reggio inspired one. http://www.communityplaythings.com/resources/articles/Reggio/MontessoriJourney.html

Will my child learn math and science?

Yes, they will learn math and science. They will find this through inquiry and exploration, not worksheets and time tables. We teach math and science using the innate languages of children. Children experience math in many different concrete ways throughout our classrooms. They can play, sort, count, classify, match, measure, pattern, seriate, and form spatial relations with a variety of equipment and and objects integrated into all activity areas.

What does “a community for a creative childhood” mean?

We embrace the concept of community to mean the classroom, the school-wide community, the dynamic between the family and their school, and our external community. We are very fortunate to be embraced so lovingly by our external community, especially the artistic community in Austin. Within these concentric circles, we embrace the child to provide them with as much expertise and love to further promote their learning growth. Also, our students give back to our community through special volunteer opportunities within the classroom. Our students are supported as they navigate their community, learning to work in large and small groups, working with younger and older students, and understanding that their sense of self is important and valued.