St. Maria Montessori School

By | July 27, 2020

I welcome you and your family to St Maria Montessori School situated in Old Donholm Estate. The school offers Playgroup, a Montessori Kindergarten and 8-4-4 Primary School, up to Class 5.

The school opened its doors in 2011, and has grown quite steadily ever since due to the focus on providing quality educational services.

We understand that it is of utmost importance to you as a parent, to have confidence that your child is being cared for, and is making progress, within a secure and stimulating educational environment.

I can therefore assure you that from the moment your child enters our school, his or her needs will be at the forefront of all we do at all times. We urge you to pay us a visit in order to confirm the same.

The school currently offers:

  1. Playgroup
  2. Kindergarten
  3. Primary School to class 4.

Our teaching is based on the Montessori methodology at Kindergarten level and the National 8-4-4 Curriculum at Primary School level.

THE CURRICULUM

We offer a blended curriculum aimed at an all rounded development of the child. We embrace each child individually; nurturing a zest for learning, a willingness to take risks, and instilling a curiosity about the world as we prepare our students, to become principled, productive, and healthy young adults.

THE KINDERGARTEN MONTESSORI CURRICULUM

(Ages 3 – 6)

The Montessori Method of education, developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, is a child-centered educational approach based on scientific observations of children that has been tested, with over 100 years of success in diverse cultures throughout the world.

It is a view of the child as one who is naturally eager for knowledge and capable of initiating learning in a supportive, thoughtfully prepared learning environment.

It is an approach that values the human spirit and the development of the whole child—physical, social, emotional, cognitive.

Hallmarks of Montessori

Components necessary for a program to be considered authentically Montessori include multiage groupings that foster peer learning, uninterrupted blocks of work time, and guided choice of work activity. In addition, a full complement of specially designed Montessori learning materials is meticulously arranged and available for use in an aesthetically pleasing environment.

The teacher, child, and environment create a learning triangle. The classroom is  prepared by the teacher to encourage independence, freedom within limits, and a sense of order. The child, through individual choice, makes use of what the environment offers to develop himself, interacting with the teacher when support and/or guidance is needed.

Montessori education offers our children opportunities to develop their potential as they step out into the world as engaged, competent, responsible, and respectful citizens with an understanding and appreciation that learning is for life.

Given the freedom and support to question, to probe deeply, and to make connections, Montessori students become confident, enthusiastic, self-directed learners. They are able to think critically, work collaboratively, and act boldly—a skill set for the 21st century.  

In addition the Kindergarten curriculum covers the following areas; while still incorporating the requirements of the Kenya Institute of Education (K.I.E) curriculum. 

  1. Number work
  2. Language
  3. Reading
  4. Play
  5. Religious Education

THE PRIMARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM

(Ages 6 – 13)

The Primary school curriculum is based on the 8-4-4 system. It covers the following subjects;

  1. Maths
  2. English
  3. Kiswahili
  4. Science
  5. Social Studies
  6. Religious Education

In addition to this we blend the 8-4-4 curriculum with subjects such as French, ICT, STEM methodology and a growing number of extracurricular activities.

THE PLAY GROUP CURRICULUM

(Ages 2 – 3)

The Play Group activities are geared towards fun, play and socialization. The overall aim is to preparing the child to transit to formal schooling.

The play group activities are divided into;

ON ARRIVAL

Greet the children and help the children and help the children to settle down.

CHOICE TIME (1 Hour)

Help the children choose from among the classroom centers and activities. Guide them in their choice of play and how to play with the toys. Observe and interact with the children in extending play and learning.

CLEAN-UP (10 MINUTES)

Help the children clean up the room, guiding them to place materials in the appropriate bins and areas. A clean-up song always makes the work more fun!

BREAK TIME (30 MINUTES)

Help the children wash their hands and retrieve their snacks. Sit with the children, engaging them in open-ended conversation. Help children clean up their place and select a book to enjoy while their classmates finish snack.

CIRCLE TIME (40 MINUTES)

Enjoy finger plays, sing songs, share books and stories in support of early literacy skills.

OUTDOOR CLASSROOM (40 MINUTES)

Explore the ODC centers and climbing equipment. Make natural discoveries, dig in the sand, ride bikes and care for the garden.

DISMISSAL

Greet parents and caregivers. Share highlights of the day or important information.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Extracurricular activities complement and facilitate students’ academic studies.

While providing ways to socialize, relax, have fun, and become refreshed, extracurricular activities keep students physically fit, increase their energy and stamina, widen their interests, and promote mental agility.

Students may participate in a wide range of activities such as music, swimming, ball games, painting, dance, field trips and holiday camps.

Watch out, for our growing list of exciting new programs under development.

ST MARIA SCHOOL & PARENTS

Parents are encouraged to discuss the school’s learning and behavior expectations with their children at the start of each school year.

Interactive review days are set where parents review methodology and teaching outcomes.

Being a small school, parents are more than welcome at short notice to pop in and discuss their child’s progress.

Parents can offer additional support by encouraging their children to read every night, recap on the child’s progress and make notes on the child’s diary.

Parents can also help by providing children with a designated place to study at home and helping children develop a regular study routine.

ADMISSIONS REGISTRATION

  1. The process commences with a visit by the parent to the school.
  2. Formal interviews are held with the parent/s
  3. Subsequently interview with the child to note the child’s development stage.
  4. Fill in an Admission form
  5. Pay an admission fee of Kshs.3,000
  6. Provide a copy of birth certificate
  7. Provide 2 passport photographs
  8. Transfer letter from former school (if transfer)
  9. Copy of ID of the parent/sponsor
  10. Copy of PIN Certificate for the parent /sponsor.

Contact us for more details

Contacts

E-mail: info@stmariaschool.sc.ke
Phone: +254 728 124 453

Address

St. Maria Montessori School
Hse No. 33,
Old Donholm Estate,
Nairobi,
Kenya.

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