Montessori school for preschool and kindergarten ages in North Portland
“The first essential for the child’s development is concentration. It lays the whole basis for his character and social behavior.”
– Dr. Maria Montessori
Our programs are all consecutive days per week because young children thrive on regular routine. This allows us to build a stable community of children who happily help and support each other.
Half days are 8:00 to 11:30 am (includes snack). 4 days/week, M-Th.
Full days are 8:00 to 3:00 (snack and lunch included in tuition cost) 4 days/week, M-Th.
“Our schools show that children of different ages help one another. The younger ones see what the older ones are doing… and the instruction is really valuable… the little one learns easily what we should find it hard to impart.”
– Maria Montessori
Our daily routine is to have, as Montessori recommended, a long, uninterrupted work period, in which children are free to choose activities as their interest directs. We support the ability of children to sustain this work period with time for individual lessons, practice with previously shown work, small group activities and some whole-group activities. Every child receives personal attention from the teacher on a daily basis.
We go outdoors daily near the end of the morning, have 11:30 dismissal, then cooking and lunch will occur, followed by a second work period until 3:00.
We take occasional walks in the neighborhood to observe local happenings and seasonal changes.
Enrollment Process
Begin by contacting us to schedule a tour. Our tours are just for adults so that we can fully answer your questions, and so that your child can later have a personal focused introduction to the environment of their own, without competing for adult attention. We want them to love it here from the start!
After touring, we will accept your enrollment forms and deposit to secure a space. Your child’s first visit is scheduled shortly before they begin school, so they don’t have to wait a long time between visiting and beginning school.
At Casita, we find it best for your child to begin as near the young end of our age range as possible (around 3 years old). This allows them to receive the full benefit of our program. We do sometimes have space for an older child, also.