Curriculum

The Junior High curriculum is interdisciplinary, experiential and student-centered.

		What Do We Mean By Inter-Disciplinary? Each day is an exploration in the arts, humanities and sciences. Science is explored in the lab, in the workshop, in small group discussion as well as outdoors.
		What Do We Mean By Experiential? We emphasize learning-by-doing. Book-learning is balanced by the work of the hands and feet. We emphasize practical work with concrete materials and manual tools.
		What Do We Mean By Student-Centered? The curriculum grants the student sufficient freedom to explore his or her own interests and curiosities. The community provides the boundaries students need along with the structured care of skilled, mentoring adults.

Our Fundamental Tenets

		Respect We hold a foundational respect for a child’s humanity and, therefore, their individuality.
		Freedom In terms of both physical and intellectual movement, freedom of exploration is essential.
		Balance The curriculum balances and integrates the arts, humanities and sciences.
		Practical We emphasize practical work with concrete materials and manual tools. We learn with our head, hands and feet.
		Nature The intensity of indoors studies are tempered by outdoors study and the practice of wilderness skills. In other words, nature is also our classroom.
		Learning takes place on three levels, each carrying equal importance: 1) Four key ways to knowledge (Will I learn to read, write, listen and speak better?) 2) Mastery of content and skills (Will I learn the facts and skills that I need to be successful at the next level?) 3) Patterns of thought (Will I become a creative and critical thinker who can make connections across traditional boundaries?)
		Emotional Intelligence Emotional intelligence is as significant as cognitive aptitude. We learn with our head, hands, and feet as well as our heart.
		Community The classroom is a community, an organism that is directed and cared for by both students and adults.
		Nature The intensity of indoors studies are tempered by outdoors study and the practice of wilderness skills. In other words, nature is also our classroom.

 

Characteristics and Needs of Adolescents

Our Junior High curriculum is designed to meet the unique developmental characteristics and needs of adolescents.

 

The Natural Growth of a Junior High

1964

Oak Hill Montessori School is founded, serving children ages 3-6.

1995

The Elementary program is founded, serving children ages 6-12.

1997

The Infant and Toddler Communities are founded, serving children ages 8 weeks - 33 months.

1998

Oak Hill Board of Directors approves future growth plan which includes junior high programs. Junior High Committee sponsors parent on fact-finding mission to national seminar on Montessori adolescent programs.

1999

Oak Hill hires prospective junior high teacher and sponsors his 3-year elementary level training at Washington Montessori Institute.

2000

Junior High Committee presents 5-year feasibility plan to the Board, receiving approval to move ahead. Focus Group involving members of the larger Montessori community meets to sketch out a model program.

2002

Inaugural class of 7th graders enter Junior High.

Junior High FAQ

		Do other Montessori schools have Junior High programs?
		How is the Junior High different from the Montessori elementary classroom?
		Will my child be able to get into schools like Mounds Park and St. Paul Academy in 9th grade?
		Do you have bus service to and from the school?

Do other Montessori schools Have Junior High programs?

Yes, at least a dozen other schools around the country have developed either two-year or three-year middle or junior high school programs in the last 20 years. Many more are being planned as we speak. The movement for Montessori-style junior high programs is definitely gaining steam. Although these programs vary greatly, we have the good fortune of being able to learn from and borrow the best components of each in order to mold a program that works for Oak Hill.

How is the Junior High different from the Montessori elementary classroom?

Students in Junior High will have considerable freedoms, including freedom of thought and movement, as they do in the elementary. One key difference is that the early adolescent, due to her stage of development, needs more structure and accountability. Without sacrificing the respect and trust that is integral to the Montessori method, she will be given firm boundaries and guidelines within which she is able to direct her own learning.

Furthermore, the Junior High program encourages more exacting academic standards. We attempt to balance the teenager’s need for a social identity with his need to gain competence in a variety of skill areas. In order to allow you the freedom to choose your child’s future high school, we need to make sure that your child is prepared. This means that Junior High does entail more required work, and considerably more homework than the Montessori elementary.

Will my child be able to get into schools like Mounds Park and St. Paul Academy in 9th grade?

Having talked at length with admissions directors from Mounds Park Academy and St. Paul Academy, students from small alternative schools (Waldorf & Montessori in particular) have excellent reputations. "We have found that Montessori students are very good at making connections with other adults, and that goes along way in easing their transition into a large school." She also added that students from these schools are found to be creative, confident, and have a wide variety of extra-curricular interests, all of which demonstrates "a well-rounded and enthusiastic student." Roughly 25 percent of the students that make up SPA’s ninth grade class come from the outside.

Here is a rundown of the application process, in no particular order:

     P Teacher recommendation

     P Transcripts (either narrative or graded or both)

     P 8th grade standardized test scores

     P All students interview and spend half day on campus

We will do everything we can to assist you in the process of selecting your child's high school.

Do you have bus service to and from the school?

Unfortunately, no. OHMS is a private, non-profit school and does not have its own bus service for students.