The elementary years are a period of tremendous intellectual activity and interest during which students actively question every part of life and culture. The Cascadia Montessori elementary curriculum accommodates this innate intellectual interest and motivate students to pursue and express their interests in all subject areas. The Cascadia elementary curriculum encompasses introductory and in-depth work and exploration in language, mathematics, music, zoology, botany, geography, art, and drama.

Classroom Community

The elementary student, with their emerging social consciousness, is learning to be both an individual and an integral part of a larger group. At Cascadia this awareness is addressed through small group lessons and projects; collaborative experiences between peers and teachers at every level; individual and group decision-making opportunities regarding class work and community issues; and participation in conflict resolution activities. Encouraging students to participate in meaningful group decisions fosters a sense of belonging and fans a desire to participate in a larger community. This process is further developed through the multi-year tenure that students experience in each level. The levels of Lower Elementary and Upper Elementary each encompass a three year span (first through third year students, and fourth through sixth, respectively), while Middle School encompasses a span of seventh and eighth year students. Leadership and team building skills develop naturally in a multi-grade environment.

Beyond the Classroom

The Montessori elementary classroom cannot contain within its four walls all that students need and desire to know. In-class activities motivate students to continue their learning and growth through small and large group experiences outside of school. These outside experiences, or “Going-Outs,” occur throughout the year and include nature studies and hiking excursions, cultural events, small group research excursions (library, museums, etc.) and an extended (2-4 day) Spring trip to a regional science field camp.