Inspiring Excellence
Elementary PROGRAM
Grades 1 — 8
The Elementary program at AMS offers a unique and enriching education that cultivates a love of learning and independence.
In our classrooms, experienced teachers foster curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving through hands-on, real-world materials and integrated technology, empowering students to explore their interests in a dynamic environment.
Our enriched curriculum encourages students to make connections across language, math, and science, while specialty programs in music, art, technology, and athletics offer diverse avenues for creative expression and skill development. Through these experiences, students gain a well-rounded understanding of concepts and their applications in the world around them.
Cultivating Lifelong Learners
The Elementary experience at AMS is centred around Montessori principles as well as incorporating an ever evolving modern evidence-based curriculum.
Teachers guide each student’s unique learning journey through individualised lessons and small group activities. In addition to core subjects such as English, Maths, and Science, our curriculum embraces the Montessori Culture program, which extends into Botany, Geography, History, and Zoology, offering students a broad perspective on the world and their place within it.
Social and emotional development is a fundamental aspect of the Elementary program, equipping students with the skills to make a positive impact on their school, community, and the wider world.
Upper Elementary builds on the foundations established in Lower Elementary, focusing on applying skills in meaningful, real-world contexts established in the Lower Elementary Program.
As students deepen their knowledge, they continue to develop their curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, strengthening the attitudes and strategies that set them up for success in future studies, including preparation for secondary education. This level of education empowers students to approach learning with confidence and sets them on a path toward becoming lifelong problem solvers with an adaptive and responsive approach to learning.
At Aurora Montessori School, our Elementary Program is designed to create thoughtful, engaged, and resilient students, well-prepared for the future and driven by a strong sense of purpose and community.
Frequently asked questions
How will parents be kept informed about their child’s activities?
Parents are kept up to date on their child’s activities and progress through ongoing communication on Edsby and through the student Agenda. Each AMS Elementary student is required to purchase an Agenda. The AMS Agenda is a vital tool for students to record their work plan for the day, their work to complete, assignment due dates, quiz and test information, and other school-related events. In addition, teachers post information on assignments, quizzes and due dates on their Edsby classroom page. There are three formal reporting periods, a Progress Report Card in November and Semester Report Cards in January and June of each school year. Parents are important partners in their child’s education and are encouraged to observe their child’s classroom and contact their teacher or administration team member at any time should a question or concern arise.
What are the hours of the Elementary Program?
The AMS Elementary Program hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Extracurricular clubs are offered daily that extend the day to 4:30 p.m. Some of the Extracurricular clubs are teacher-run (Cricut Club, Learn to Sew, Hiking, Debate, Art to name a few), others are paid clubs run by third party vendors such as Stem Minds, Boogie Dance, Knowledge Makes Cents and the Travelling Stage. Third Party Clubs are an additional fee.
Are snacks and lunches provided to students?
Families can choose to bring their own lunch and snacks, or they can order daily hot lunch and snacks through Kids Kitchen and Healthy Hunger. Ordering and payments are made directly with these providers. Every Friday is Pizza Day at AMS, orders for pizza are completed three times a year and payment is made directly to the school.
Do you have an extended care program?
AMS offers both before school and afterschool care programs that extend the day from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. There is an additional cost for extended care and space is limited.
What is the class ratio of students to teachers?
Elementary classrooms are capped at a maximum of twenty students per class with one core homeroom teacher and a compliment of specialty teachers for French, Physical Education, Music, Art, Information and Communication Technology and Mindfulness.
Will my child receive homework?
It is important that a love of learning is instilled in each student. We recommend that all students spend quality time reading each night. If a child is a confident and proficient reader, they will more easily enjoy the enriched Montessori curriculum. We endeavor to develop the students’ sense of responsibility by engaging them in planning their activities and setting developmentally appropriate and reasonable time limits for completing each task. All Elementary students take part in a weekly spelling dictation quiz.
If an assignment is not completed during work periods at school, students must take the work home to finish. It is then the students’ responsibility to determine their homework under the guidance and encouragement of the teacher and parent. When students make the decision to take work home, they have demonstrated responsibility and have found the love for learning that will stay with them for a lifetime.
If students are having difficulty completing daily class work, they have the opportunity to complete their assigned work in Study Hall during recess. Study Hall participation is the choice of the student through conferencing with the teacher.
Grade 5-8 students are expected to use their own Edsby account to check their assignments, due dates, etc. and communicate as needed with their teachers. Parents should be aware of this and continue to use their own Edsby account to communicate with teachers. Grade 5-8 students will have an increased amount of work to complete outside of school hours for projects and assignments.
How does the teacher know and assess the level of subject understanding my child has at various points of their elementary education?
In a Montessori classroom, assessment is an integral and ongoing part of the learning process. For elementary students, assessment occurs through a variety of methods, primarily rooted in careful, multi-layered observation of each individual learner. This approach allows teacher feedback and evaluation to be tailored to meet the unique needs of every student. Assessment takes place daily through students' engagement with Montessori materials, participation in lessons, completion of follow-up activities, and involvement in project work—each offering opportunities to practice, apply, and demonstrate understanding of key concepts.
In Lower Elementary, students begin to develop test-taking skills through weekly spelling dictations and math fluency exercises. As students progress into Upper Elementary, they are gradually introduced to more formalized assessments, including quizzes and tests. By Middle School, exams are incorporated as part of their academic experience.
All elementary students from Grades 1 through 8 participate in the standardized CAT-4 assessment once per academic year, typically in the spring. This test offers objective, norm-referenced data that helps gauge a student’s development in foundational academic skills critical for continued learning.
Assessment in Montessori education extends beyond academic achievement. It encompasses social-emotional development, executive functioning skills—such as time management—and the use of effective learning strategies. These areas are explicitly taught and supported with guidance as needed, fostering well-rounded growth in each student.
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