The Primary Program
Where Independence, Curiosity, and Community Take Root
At Gladwyne Montessori, the Primary Program is more than preschool - it's a three-year journey of discovery, growth, and confidence-building that culminates in the transformative Kindergarten year. Children ages 3 to 6 thrive in thoughtfully prepared classrooms that meet their need for independence, purposeful work, and joyful learning.
Purposeful Spaces, Connected Learners
A Classroom Designed for Exploration
Our Primary classrooms are intentionally crafted for the young learner.
Classrooms are beautiful, orderly, and filled with hands-on materials that encourage choice and deep concentration.
Child-sized tools and accessible shelves foster independence.
Educators serve as guides, introducing lessons at just the right moment based on each child’s unique development.
The Power of Multi-Age Learning
In Montessori, children stay in the same classroom for three years, creating a stable and connected learning community.
- Younger children learn by observing older peers.
- Older children reinforce knowledge by mentoring.
- All children benefit from a culture of mutual respect and collaboration.
This model supports academic growth, leadership development, and social-emotional learning in ways that single-age classrooms cannot.
A Day in the Life of a Gladwyne Montessori Primary Student
Where each moment is an opportunity to grow, explore, and thrive.
Every day in our Primary Program is carefully structured to balance independence with guidance, quiet focus with joyful movement, and academic work with social-emotional learning. While each child follows their own path, every day unfolds in a warm, purposeful rhythm that feels both structured and freeing.
Primary School Day
- 8:45 a.m. | Arrival & Drop Off
- Morning | Uninterrupted Work Cycle
- Midday | Recess & Lunch
- Afternoon | Deeper Work & Enrichment
- 3:00 p.m. Dismissal
- Late Afternoon | Optional Extended Day Program
8:45 a.m. | Arrival & Drop Off
Morning | Uninterrupted Work Cycle
Midday | Recess & Lunch
Afternoon | Deeper Work & Enrichment
3:00 p.m. Dismissal
Late Afternoon | Optional Extended Day Program
The Five Essential Curriculum Domains
KINDERGARTEN
The Capstone Year
The final year of the Primary cycle is when everything comes together.
- Children become classroom leaders, mentoring younger students.
- Academic work becomes more advanced, with guided literacy groups and enriched science and math lessons.
- Kindergarteners take part in cross-classroom specials, fostering social growth and confidence for the transition to elementary years.
Completing the full three-year cycle prepares children to enter their next educational stage with independence, critical thinking, and a strong sense of self.
Meet Our Primary Faculty
YOUR CHILD'S JOURNEY STARTS HERE
Discover Gladwyne Montessori
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