Beyond the core curriculum, all of our students receive lessons in Spanish, American Sign Language (ASL), Art, Music, and Gardening.
Our older students also participate in either Character Education or Empathy Education.
All of our students are taught Spanish as a second language. In today’s society, especially in the United States, having the ability to speak Spanish can be greatly beneficial in one’s personal and professional life. Infants and young children are essentially sponges when it comes to learning a new language. Research indicates that the brain is at its optimum to learn foreign sounds in children under age 10.
Students who learn a language early improve their chances for native-like pronunciation and a high level of proficiency later in life.
American Sign Language (ASL) is taught to all students at NPMS. The benefits of learning sign language at an early age are numerous. ASL is one of the most widely used languages in the United States, and the fourth-most studied second language at American universities.
At least 35 states have recognized ASL as a modern language. Research has shown that pairing signs with English help learners formulate mental pictures. This multi-modal experience can help create new pathways in the brain for storage and retrieval of information.
Art and music are not taught as isolated subjects in an authentic Montessori classroom. Just as artistic and musical expression are interwoven into the human experience, they are integrated into the life of the classroom in many forms.
Children can express their creativity through a variety of media, including paint, chalk, clay, and textiles. Student are given the opportunity to sing, dance, and play instruments. Music and art are also explored through the context of history and culture. Children listen to and learn about different musical forms from classical and beyond.
Gardening is a wonderful way for children to connect with nature and nurture living things. It provides learning opportunities when studying parts of seeds, flowers, and plants. Children love to dig in the dirt and get great exercise while doing so.
We are fortunate to have a beautiful courtyard garden space where our children can be part of the growing process. They will have ownership of the gardens as well as the food and flowers produced in them.
Students in our lower elementary classroom partake in character education lessons.
Character is the intentional effort of living out one’s core values and working on continuous growth through ethical and compassionate decision-making. Character education is a learning process that enables students to understand, care about, and act on core ethical values such as respect, justice, civic virtue, citizenship, and responsibility for self and others.
Upon such core values, we form the attitudes and actions that are the hallmark of safe, healthy, and informed communities that serve as the foundation of our society.
Students in our upper elementary and adolescent programs move beyond character education and begin to participate in empathy education lessons.
When we put ourselves in another person’s shoes, we are often more sensitive to what that person is experiencing and are less likely to tease or bully them. By explicitly teaching students to be more conscious of other people’s feelings, we can create a more accepting and respectful community.
Through our empathy curriculum, upper elementary and middle school students gain a deeper understanding of empathy and learn how to put it into practice in the classroom and beyond.
You may choose to sign your child up for a variety of enrichment classes with a qualified, background checked instructor for an additional fee. Some of these enrichment classes take place during school hours, while others take place after school.
Classes offered for beginner and intermediate soccer players looking to improve their soccer skills. Taught by qualified, licensed coaches.
- Ages 2-15 years old.
Weekly sessions that focus on teaching calming techniques, mindful movement and increasing focus with a certified children's yoga teacher.
- Ages 3 & up.
Children will learn the art of crafting at a young age! Our classes teach sewing skills and challenge our students to get creative through unique skill-building projects.
- Ages 7 & up.
Gymnastics and tumbling classes that make fitness fun! Beginner to intermediate level students are welcome.
- Ages 2-15 years old.
Professional Ballet & Tap classes. Students learn concentration, balance, and poise along with beginning dance steps and terminology.
- Ages 3-8 years old.
The foundation of the kids' martial arts curriculum is the education and development of life-skills such as positive mental attitude, high goal-setting, perseverance, self-control, and confidence. Instructors are all certified belts.
- Ages 4 & up.
Develop your child's intellect through the royal game of chess! We focus on enhancing the children's motivation, concentration, focus, social skills and creativity. No previous knowledge of chess necessary.
- Grades K-8th
Our music classes provide a fun, comfortable environment for children to start their musical journey. Private and group lessons are offered to accommodate every child's needs.
- All ages welcome!
High energy dance class for all levels. This combination class infuses street dance with urban jazz and teaches students rhythm, flexibility, and coordination. The focus is to inspire students as they gain self-confidence.
- Grades 1st-8th.
Drama club focuses on developing confidence and imagination of the young performers, as well as teaching basic to advance drama techniques. Students explore basic improvisation, learn vocal techniques and projection while playing theater games. Grades 1st-8th.
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