Welcome to Portage Collaborative Montessori School

Three, four, and five year-old preschool and kindergarten students attend mixed-age classes daily for a three-hour morning or a three-hour afternoon session. There are 24 children in a class with one teacher and one classroom assistant. Kindergarten students attend free, as in any other public school. There is a tuition fee for three and four year-olds.

In the Preschool/Kindergarten program, much emphasis is placed on the development of the child’s personal responsibility and independence in the classroom. This applies to using materials and to showing respect for the people in the environment, both staff and students. Children choose their own materials from open shelves filled with self-correcting materials and work at their own pace. Over time, the children develop a learning community in which they are able to work for extended periods of time in deep concentration with few interruptions. Learn More

In the lower elementary class, first, second, and third grade students work together in small groups and individually to complete their work. Some work is specifically assigned by the teacher for a child or group of children, other work is chosen freely from the shelves according to the child’s interests and abilities. At any one time, there will be many different activities going on, and most children will be using manipulative materials along with paper and pencil. Most lessons are given to small groups of children at a special lesson table. At times, the whole class gathers for a group lesson or activity. The children are responsible for budgeting their time to complete their assigned work and chosen work according to the class guidelines. While working, the children talk quietly and move about the classroom as needed to accomplish their goals. Older children help to guide younger children and provide positive role models. Learn More

In the upper elementary class, fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students work together. As in lower elementary, the children individually and in small groups, move about and talk quietly as they work. Although there are still many manipulative materials, these older children spend much more time researching in books, writing, and creating project presentations. Science and social studies, in particular, are studied through independent research. The teacher may give a brief introduction to a topic, then the children seek out information from a variety of resources in the classroom, the library, and on the computer. Budgeting time wisely and working independently are crucial skills put into use continuously as deadlines for both chosen and assigned work may extend over days or even weeks. As in Montessori classrooms at all levels, a warm community feeling is fostered as the older children provide positive role models and guidance to the younger children. Learn More

The middle school class at PCMS is a unique blend of Montessori philosophy and traditional academia. It is intended to be a two-year bridge between the Montessori elementary years and formal high school education.

The middle school year is divided into four thematic cycles. These cycles are each approximately six weeks long, and they integrate the given theme into all of the disciplines of study. Since it is a two-year program, seventh and eighth graders work both cooperatively and collaboratively during Natural World (the Sciences) and Social World (the Humanities). Grammar and vocabulary studies are separated into two courses (one for each grade level), while mathematics is grouped based upon individual readiness and mastery. Types of activities target all of the learning modalities, and they are balanced among individual, small group, and class projects, lessons, and/or activities. Additionally, there is a great emphasis on individual student accountability, organization, and responsibility for work while also fostering the development of a community within the classroom and the need to mutually respect, support, and honor one another. Learn More