LOWER ELEMENTARY
Exploration, Discovery, and Growing Independence For Students in Grades 1–3
The Lower Elementary Program at Uxbridge Montessori School supports children as they transition from the early years into a new phase of intellectual curiosity and social development. Designed for students in Grades 1 to 3, this program builds on the foundation laid in the Casa years and introduces greater independence, deeper academic exploration, and purposeful collaboration.
Program Highlights
- Individualized academic planning based on developmental readiness
- Multi-age classrooms supporting collaboration and leadership
- Daily outdoor time for physical activity and nature exploration
- Emphasis on inquiry, research, and project-based learning
- Grace and courtesy lessons that support respectful behavior and emotional intelligence
An Environment for Academic and Social Growth
At this stage, children begin to move from concrete thinking to more abstract reasoning. Our Lower Elementary classroom is designed to meet this developmental shift—offering freedom within structure so students can explore meaningful work at their own pace, while also building essential academic and social-emotional skills.
Montessori materials are still used to introduce complex concepts in a concrete, visual way, allowing students to truly understand before they move on to abstraction. This ensures long-term retention and mastery—not just short-term memorization.
Key areas of study include:
- Language Arts – Grammar, reading comprehension, spelling, vocabulary, and both creative and expository writing
- Mathematics – Place value, operations, memorization of math facts, fractions, and foundational problem-solving
- Cultural Studies – History, geography, botany, zoology, Earth sciences, and early research skills
- Practical Life & Social Skills – Conflict resolution, time management, work planning, and peer collaboration
Children work in multi-age classrooms, which is a hallmark of Montessori education. This encourages natural mentorship, peer-to-peer teaching, and the development of leadership and empathy—key life skills that traditional grade-based classrooms often miss.
Why It Works: The Montessori Advantage
Unlike traditional schools that rely on textbooks and whole-class instruction, Montessori classrooms focus on individualized learning. Lessons are presented one-on-one or in small groups, and children are encouraged to explore topics in depth, based on both curriculum expectations and personal interest.
Children learn to:
- Set their own goals, with support from their teacher
- Choose work that aligns with their readiness and curiosity
- Develop intrinsic motivation to complete tasks and improve their skills
- Collaborate with peers to solve problems and share discoveries
Educators act as guides, not lecturers—carefully observing, coaching, and challenging students to grow, while giving them ownership over their education.
Encouraging Confidence and Responsibility
In Lower Elementary, students begin managing their own work plans, developing executive functioning skills that support lifelong success. They learn how to prioritize tasks, work through challenges independently, and reflect on their progress—skills that are essential for high school, university, and beyond.
They are also encouraged to think critically, ask big questions, and pursue open-ended investigations—fostering a deep love of learning that stays with them well after they leave the classroom.
A Continuum of Learning
The Lower Elementary program is a natural extension of the Casa years, continuing the Montessori philosophy in a more advanced and age-appropriate way. Students who are new to Montessori at this stage are welcomed through a gentle orientation process, where they receive personalized support to adapt to classroom routines, expectations, and materials.
At UMS, students leave Lower Elementary not only with a strong academic foundation—but with the curiosity, responsibility, and resilience to thrive in Upper Elementary and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions
In a traditional classroom, all students are taught the same lesson at the same time, often with limited time for exploration or review. In contrast, our Montessori Lower Elementary program offers individualized learning, small-group lessons, and the freedom to explore topics deeply at a child’s own pace. Students are empowered to take ownership of their learning, work collaboratively, and develop real-world problem-solving skills.
Students receive a well-rounded academic experience in:
- Language arts (grammar, reading comprehension, writing)
- Mathematics (from basic operations to early geometry and fractions)
- Cultural studies (science, geography, history, zoology, and botany)
Practical life and social-emotional learning
All subjects are delivered through hands-on Montessori materials and supported by opportunities for independent research and collaborative projects.
Yes. Montessori students often perform at or above grade level in academic subjects. More importantly, they gain confidence, critical thinking skills, time management, and personal responsibility—making them exceptionally well-prepared to succeed in any learning environment.
A typical day includes:
- A 2–3 hour uninterrupted work cycle in the morning
- Small group or one-on-one lessons
- Independent or partner work
- Outdoor play and physical activity
Afternoon enrichment such as French, music, art, or cultural studies
The schedule balances focused academic work with movement, creativity, and social connection.
Many students join UMS for the first time in Lower Elementary. We provide a gentle orientation process, where our educators introduce classroom routines, materials, and expectations gradually. New students are supported through modeling, peer mentorship, and individualized attention.
Assessment in Montessori is based on observation, student work, skill checklists, and progress conferences. Teachers know each student deeply and track their growth over time. Parents receive regular updates and are invited to conferences where we share student goals, accomplishments, and next steps.
Multi-age classrooms allow younger students to learn from older peers, while older students reinforce their knowledge by teaching and leading. This model fosters community, empathy, and leadership, and gives every child the chance to be both a learner and a mentor.
Discover the Montessori Elementary Advantage
See firsthand how our Lower Elementary Program nurtures independence, academic growth, and a lifelong love of learning. We invite you to tour our school, observe a classroom in action, and discover how Montessori education helps children become confident, curious, and capable learners.