The Curriculum


The Casa program

The Montessori philosophy empowers the child to control his/her learning experience. The Montessori classroom, referred to as the prepared environment, offers the child an opportunity to explore through carefully selected choices. The materials encourage the child to act on and learn from his/her environment. The materials are divided into five areas: Practical Life, Sensorial, Cultural, Language, and Mathematics. The Progressive Montessori Academy also offers a range of supplemental instruction to all students.

Practical life

These exercises prepare the child indirectly for all other areas of the curriculum with order, concentration, coordination and independence. Practical life materials provide the children with opportunities to take care of themselves and their environment, such as cleaning, tying, and organizing. These exercises strengthen motor skills, and lead to concentration, self-control and order in the environment, which are essential for learning. These exercises provide a foundation for the child to learn to read and write.


A child learns about his/her world through the use of the senses, and these exercises appeal to their curiosity to explore and interact with their environment in a variety of ways. The purpose of sensorial materials is to refine and develop the child’s senses, which help them relate to their environment. Through exploration of the various materials of varying dimension, color, shape, texture, smell, and taste, all the faculties of intelligence are developed.


Language plays an important role in facilitating thought, communication and learning. The phonetic sounds of the letters are taught through sandpaper letters, which prepare the child for writing and reading. Word building and preliminary reading exercises take place through a natural progression, which reflects a child’s personal readiness. Children work on their penmanship, as well as creative writing. All areas of the classroom facilitate the spoken language.


Through the cultural work, the child is introduced to the world and the living things within it. The Montessori classroom offers studies in History, Geography, and the Sciences, including botany, zoology, and geography. Children learn about people and cultures in other countries with an attitude of respect and admiration. This allows children to feel connected to the global community and the Earth.


The world of numbers and their function is presented to the child in the most understandable and exciting manner. First we introduce sensorial and visual impressions of the numbers 1 to 1,000, then guide the child into arithmetic, geometry and algebra. The varied exercises develop and maintain the child’s interest in mathematics, through a solid understanding of basic mathematical principles.

Visual Arts

The children are given the opportunity to explore the world of art. Various media such as tempura and water paints, markers, colored pencils, crayons, collage, etc are available for the child’s use.


The music program develops the children’s awareness and love of music through singing, moving, and listening to music. Older children learn to play the recorder and the keyboard, while younger children play drums, rhythm sticks and bells.


French lessons are presented alongside English lessons for bilingual learning. Presentations will be individual as well as in small groups.

Sign Language

Children are introduced to sign language in a relaxed and fun environment through the use of songs and games.