WHAT TYPES OF PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED AT THE CHILDREN’S HOUSE AND COMPASS JUNIOR HIGH?
We are a Montessori school for children from infancy through 8th grade. The curriculum presented in classroom communities is organized in developmental cycles. Nido: 3 months to 16 months; Young Children’s Community: 16 months to 3 years; Primary: 3 to 6 years; Lower Elementary: 1st to 3rd grade; Upper Elementary: 4th to 6th grade; and Compass Montessori Junior High: 7th and 8th grade. The most important factor in program placement is developmental readiness.
WHAT IS THE TEACHING PHILOSOPHY?
We are an independent school that follows the teaching philosophy and methodology developed by Dr. Maria Montessori. You will find an overview of this philosophy as part of this packet.
ARE THE TEACHERS CERTIFIED?
Our faculty have attained professional Montessori certification at well respected AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) and AMS (American Montessori Society) teacher training centers.
HOW CAN PARENTS BE INVOLVED AT THE SCHOOL?
Classroom visiting days, conferences, adult learning workshops, and volunteer opportunities are among the many ways families connect to the life of the school. In addition, families receive Waypoints, our weekly newsletter.
Partnering with families to raise exceptional learners is what The Children’s House is about. We create a social fabric for families and value meaningful communication between school and your home. The Children’s House Parent Association (CHiPA) welcomes parents to be involved in the life of our school by attending monthly meetings and events throughout the school year.
HOW IS THE SCHOOL BUSINESS STRUCTURED?
Our school is an independent, non-profit, tax-exempt educational institution governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. A 3.8 million dollar annual operating budget relies on income from tuition, fees, grants, and gifts.
WHAT ARE THE SCHOOL CALENDAR AND SCHEDULE OPTIONS?
Our academic year begins in early September and ends in mid-June. Our summer program begins one week after the close of the academic year. The school day schedule for Kindergarten through sixth grade is 8:30-3:30 and Junior High students attend 8:00-3:00 Monday through Friday. Extended hours are available from 7:30-5:30. A calendar overview is included in this packet.
IS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE?
Yes. Tuition assistance is available to qualifying families for children in Primary through Junior High. For the 2022-2023 school year, 24% of students ages three and older, received tuition assistance. Please see the Tuition Assistance webpage for details: traversechildrenshouse.org/tuition_assist.asp
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE CHILDREN’S HOUSE AND A PUBLIC MONTESSORI PROGRAM?
The Children’s House and Compass Junior High is an independent Montessori school. Our independence allows us to fully implement the Montessori methodology by prioritizing the key components of the philosophy: balanced, mixed age classrooms where children learn skills of collaboration and community; authentic assessment based on ongoing observation by well-trained teachers; uninterrupted time for children to work in the prepared classroom environments with hands-on materials; and a commitment to making decisions based on students.