Village Montessori Elementary: The Big Next Step (and Why It Matters)

Village Montessori is opening an Elementary classroom (ages 6–9) at our Shenandoah campus, a milestone that allows children to continue their Montessori journey beyond Primary within the same values, community, and educational approach that families already trust.

If you’ve ever wondered what makes Montessori Elementary truly distinctive, and why it matters now more than ever, this guide is your go-to resource.

Why the Montessori Elementary Years Are So Important (Ages 6–9)

Montessori doesn’t “end” at Kindergarten—Elementary is where the seeds planted in the Primary years take deep root. The Primary years 0-6 are years of creation, the child develops her conscience, fine and gross motor skills, language, will, and perfects the connection with the senses, which allows her to incorporate the world. The body is ready to serve the mind, and the child enters the second plane of development, 6-12 years of age. 

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What Makes a Montessori Elementary Classroom “Authentic”

AMS emphasizes several core components that distinguish authentic Montessori Elementary education from “Montessori-inspired” models:

1. Multi-Age Community

Elementary classrooms often group students in spans such as ages 6–9 and ages 9–12, building mentorship and leadership opportunities.

Students in multi-age classrooms can advance at their own pace in different subjects, a younger student may share the advanced math lessons and same age language, or any combination. There's no need to 'wait' for the class to catch up.

2. Uninterrupted Work Period

Children engage in 2–3 hour uninterrupted work cycles, which help build concentration, self-direction, and deep engagement.

This is a foundational component of Montessori learning at this level.

3. “Going Out” Experiences

Elementary students often extend learning beyond the classroom, connecting with museums, nature, community organizations, and real-world experts in purposeful ways. Important to note that going out is not a teacher led field trip, it's the continuation of the child's exploration after a lesson. Children plan a trip to meet a local expert who may identify the type of leaf they can't classify; or a mathematician who will explain Pi to them.

4. The Teacher as a Guide

Montessori teachers are trained guides—not lecturers. They prepare the environment, present lessons, observe closely, and support students as they set goals, plan work, and follow through over time, ​​while building a relationship with your child in partnership with you.

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