The Primary Program

List of 3 items.

Primary Naptime

Full Day Primary students are divided by developmental readiness into either our Primary Nap Program in the gym or a second work period with their guides in the classroom. If the Primary child is still napping or benefitting from a rest period, he or she will be placed in the Nap Program. (We start the three-year-olds and most four-year-olds in Nap then assess readiness for a second work period after the first three weeks of school.) During nap, the children gather in a designated space on campus with soft music, white noise, back rubs, and a sweet rest time with our Nap team and several of our Assistant Guides.
Second Work Period

Once Primary children grow out of their nap they participate in a second work period, which starts with a quiet story time from a chapter book, which we call “zen time”, with lessons in reading comprehension. Following story time, the children are placed with peers of similar academic, social, and emotional development for the remainder of the work period.

The younger children traditionally work with the Assistant Guides in a creative environment, which includes art, stories, practical life activities, outdoor work, on-campus field trips, and gardening. Younger children also participate in Nature Club with students from other classes.

The older children, typically the five- and six-year-olds, but some older four-year-olds on occasion, work with the Lead Guide in a more academic environment that includes our proprietary Kindergarten Curriculum in preparation for elementary school, where the “olders” and “leaders” work on advanced lessons in reading, writing, advanced math materials, conducting science experiments and making maps. Kindergartners also participate in a weekly Science Club with the Kindergarten students from other classes.

We give much thought, observation, and conversation to the question of which afternoon program is best for each child, in an effort to follow each child’s needs and developmental readiness. The child’s Lead Guide ultimately makes the placement decision for each child, and he or she will discuss this decision with parents/guardians. Please note that we put much consideration into supporting afternoon transitions for our children regardless of which program they are enrolled in.
Typical Daily Primary Schedule

We offer both a Morning Program and a Full Day Program for our children. Upon drop-off, your child will enjoy some time outdoors. After moving inside, we begin class time with a group lesson on circle, followed by a minimum of two hours of independent work time. The Montessori-trained Lead Guides give individual, one-on-one, and group lessons to each child during work time, while the Assistants move through the classroom and outdoor work environments ensuring that all the children are busy working on materials (“works”) in which they have already received a lesson, or that do not require a lesson (such as puzzles, games, reading corner, art corner, practical life, and manipulatives). Snack is set out and available during the work period so the children may serve themselves whenever they feel hungry, followed by washing their dishes. After work time, the children reconvene for a brief second circle and community lunch, followed by a second outdoor play period. Morning students are picked up at 12:30, and our remaining students transition into either Nap or Zen Time/Second Work Period, and the children are picked up between 2:30 and 3:00 p.m.

Primary Classes

List of 6 items.

Primary 1

Primary 1 Thunderbirds exist to nurture each child’s inherent drive to discover, achieve, and flourish in a loving community .

Meet the Primary 1 Instructors
Tess Karlan (she/her), Primary 1 Lead Guide
Becca Himes (she/her), Primary 1 Assistant Guide
Jocelyn Jaimes-Marquez (she/her), Primary 1 Assistant Guide
Emily Wilson (she/her), Primary 1 Support Guide & ASP Guide
Primary 2

The Primary 2 Phoenix's exist to empower and uplift children who will build a better world through Love.

Meet the Primary 2 Instructors
Laila Khorrami (she/her), Primary 2 Lead Guide
Ben Gikow (he/him), Primary 2 Assistant Guide
Cesca Longoni (she/her), Primary 2 Assistant Guide
Abby Raffle (she/her), Primary 2 Support Guide & ASP Guide
Primary 3

The Primary 3 Falcons exist to support the child’s growth in an equitable, vibrant, and responsive community! 

Meet the Primary 3 Instructors
Drew Fischels (he/him), Primary 3 Lead Guide
Tiffany Herrera (she/her), Primary 3 Assistant Guide
Meghna Gopal (she/her), Primary 3 Assistant Guide
Caroline Firme (she/her), Primary 3 Support Guide & ASP Guide
Primary 4

The Primary 4 Bluejays exist to nurture the spirit of kindness, gentleness, and community so we continue to grow in love for ourselves, others, and our Earth.

Lisa Miele (she/her), Primary 4 Lead Guide
Lynda McGovern (she/her), Primary 4 Assistant Guide
Asma Fazal (she/her), Primary 4 Assistant Guide
Elizabeth Ponce (she/her), Primary 4 Support Guide
Primary 5

The Primary 5 Hummingbirds exist to nurture love, peace, curiosity, and diversity for the betterment of humankind.

Meet the Primary 5 Instructors
Ryann Flanagan (she/her), Primary 5 Lead Guide
Nicole Hix (she/her), Primary 5 Assistant Guide
Candice Barrera (she/her), Primary 5 Assistant Guide
Cassidy Prince (she/her), Primary 5 Support Guide & ASP Guide
Primary 6

The Primary 6 Cardinals exist to build healthy connections with ourselves, each other and our environment through curiosity and patience.

Meet the Primary 6 Instructors
Jennifer Bourgeois (she/her), Primary 6 Lead Guide
Alex Kinkade (she/her), Primary 6 Assistant Guide & Montessori Intern
Jazmin Castro (she/her), Primary 6 Assistant Guide
Lecs Smoak (she/her), Primary 6 Support Guide & ASP Guide

Primary Program Lead Guides