All teachers and assistants comply with the ongoing training classes required by the Florida Department of Children and Families. The Kingswood staff and student body is a cross section of racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds. The program includes classes in Toddler, Preschool, Primary-Elementary, Upper-Elementary, and Middle School sections. Kingswood is accredited by the Association of Independent Schools of Florida (AISF), which is recognized by the state of Florida as an accrediting institution under the Non-Public School section of the State Department of Education. It is also accredited through the AISF by the National Council for Private School Accreditation. Kingswood is a member of the Dade Association of Academic Non-Public Schools and the National Council for Montessori Education, and, the North American Montessori Teacher Association and the Montessori Organization of Dade.
Toddler Classroom (18 months - 3 years)
The toddler classroom serves children from the age of 18 months through 3 years. Half-day and full-day programs are offered. The focus at this age is on socialization, self control, and independence. Dr. Maria Montessori believed that in order for children to develop critical thinking skills, they must be free to experience and manipulate objects in their surroundings. Additionally, socialization without overbearing adult intervention allows the child to gain the valuable skill of conflict resolution. The toddler classroom provides a nurturing and safe environment where our students have the freedom to learn through self exploration and discovery and, thereby, bring order and satisfaction to their lives. Dr. Maria Montessori believed that in order for children to develop critical thinking skills, they must be free to experience and manipulate objects in their surroundings. Additionally, socialization without overbearing adult intervention allows the child to gain the valuable skill of conflict resolution.
Preschool/ Kindergarten Classroom (3 Years to 6 Years)
Kingswood Montessori Academy has two classrooms serving children 3 through 6 years of age. Each classroom has a certified Montessori teacher and a trained assistant. The enrollment in each class is capped at 25 students. The classroom is designed, equipped, and furnished to facilitate learning in a comfortable, child-centered environment. The carefully designed materials allow children to physically manipulate objects that promote knowledge in the areas of math, language, geography, science, and practical life.
The process is designed to keep learning enjoyable while taking advantage of the childs natural "sensitive periods" for acquiring skills and knowledge. The materials are mostly self-correcting to reduce the need for adult intervention, and allowing personal success in the discovery process. There is a focus on grace, courtesy, respect, and independence. The overall goal is to provide a caring environment in which individual developmental needs are satisfied through the use of manipulative materials and guidance of the directress. The child is free to learn at an individual pace; free from the time pressures of our fast-paced society. Here, the child will gain independence, self-esteem, and respect for others.
Spanish Immersion Preschool Program
Kingswood offers a preschool immersion program, Escuela Montessori, for children 3 6 years of age. This program is taught by Montessori certified teachers who are native Spanish speakers. The full compliment of Montessori materials is available to ensure a well-rounded, full-scale early childhood education. Instruction is in Spanish only. The teachers do not speak English in the presence of the students. Parent/teacher communication is arranged outside of the classroom so the students will not discover that the teachers speak English. We feel this is necessary to promote early Spanish fluency in the students. Of course, the teachers do speak English and will be able to understand the needs of the children. Children completing the kindergarten year in this classroom will be required to attend a six-week English language program over the summer. Graduation from kindergarten and promotion to first grade will be contingent on enrollment and completion of this program. This is a pilot program beginning in the fall of 2001.
It must be understood that long-term outcomes cannot be measured at this time. Our goal is to give the child a complete Montessori education while achieving Spanish fluency. It is advisable to have the children speak, read, and write in English while out of school. The classroom w8ill provide all areas of academic study and preparation, but English fluency will have to be maintained in the home.
Standardized evaluations of these students may not accurately reflect the knowledge and ability achieved due to vocabulary issues. In school, the children will learn common terms such as on top of, underneath, before, right, left, floor, ceiling, door, light, shoe, etc in Spanish. The parents must make every effort to use these common instructional/directional terms in English with their child(ren). We are confident that the transition to the English-speaking classroom will be smooth. The teachers in our elementary level will continue to develop and challenge the Spanish skills while sharpening the English skills.
Primary Elementary Classroom (Grades 1-3, Ages 6-9)
The primary-elementary classroom serves students in the first through third grades. There is a degreed, Montessori certified teacher with two trained assistants. The classroom houses 28 to 35 children, with a 12:1 adult to child ratio. The classroom is well equipped with Montessori materials designed to offer a hands-on approach to learning. Instruction is often delivered in a small group, or one-on-one setting. The mixed ages in a single classroom offer benefits that range from high motivation, to reinforcement of knowledge, to social responsibility and awareness.
The younger children are compelled to improve their skills as they ultimately want to accomplish what they witness the older children doing. Conversely, the older child has the ability to reinforce his/her own skills while generously helping the younger student in need. In addition to a well prepared academic and social environment, the classroom has three birds and two guinea pigs as class pets, as well as the schools miniature farm animals. The two horses, goat, chickens, and cat give the children the opportunity to care for animals that are dependent on them. The level of responsibility learned through this role is of significant value; gentleness and kindness. The overall goal at the primary level is to provide a superior academic base while promoting a high degree of values and responsibility.
Upper Elementary Classroom (4th - 6th Grades)
The upper elementary classroom serves students in the 4th through 6th grades. There is a degreed, Montessori certified teacher and a trained assistant for the 20 students in this class. The students have the advantage of learning in a small, friendly atmosphere, which promotes true and lasting friendships.
Although text books are used more often at this level, the students benefit from the use of Montessori materials that provide a concrete manipulative enhancement leading to the advanced understanding of academic concepts. The students are involved in many travel opportunities ranging from 3-night trips to Sea Camp and Space Camp to 3-week trips to Europe. This year we will host a group of students from a Montessori school in Germany. They will live with host families from our school. Their visit will last for three weeks, during which time we will join them in a one week trip around the state of Florida. Students from Kingswood will be hosted by the German school next year when we travel to Bavaria and live and school with them.
Kingswood Montessori Academy20130 SW 304 Street
Homestead, FL 33030
Map305-248-2308
www.KingswoodMontessori.com
