The 2020 school year has just begun and Noozhawk’s Private & Independent School Guide is sure to make things easy when planning for your child’s education! Our school guide provides you and your child with all the necessary information about private schools in Santa Barbara County.
To give parents the tools to help make informed decisions about which school is the best fit for their kids in Santa Barbara, Noozhawk has conducted a series of interviews with representatives of local private & independent schools for this year’s school guide.
In this interview, Noozhawk spoke with Brian Cogswell, Head of School at South Coast Montessori to learn more about what they offer at their school.
South Coast Montessori
Question: What is the name of your school and what grade levels do you offer?
Answer: South Coast Montessori and we offer programs for children ages 3 months to 6 years old.
Q: How is your school operated or governed?
A: We are a 501c3 non-profit governed by a diverse Board of Directors which exists to advance the school’s mission and service by providing counsel and advice on its ideas and initiatives which the school may wish to pursue. The Board is charged with the ultimate responsibility for financial, legal and strategic planning and policy issues for the school.
Q: Describe what the typical model student looks like to your school?
A: Montessori is a child-centered approach to learning in which all children are respected and valued as individuals. Our environments are designed to meet the needs, interests and abilities of all children in the group. Montessori children learn at their own pace. When a child demonstrates readiness they are guided by the teacher to explore activities that provide increasing challenge. Children are not compared to each other and evaluations are based on the progress of the individual. Because of our individualized learning environment all children are welcome and celebrated at South Coast Montessori.
Q: What challenges is your school facing due to COVID-19? What are your plans for remote or in-person instruction?
A: We are open for in-person instruction.
Q: Describe the typical day in the life of a student at your school for in-person and/or distance learning instruction.
A: Our daily schedules can be described as an individualized approach in a group setting.
Infant
Infants typically set their routine. Our team is excellent at anticipating the needs of infants and learn their cues for hunger and sleepiness. They tell us when they’re hungry or sleepy and we follow their lead. Most of our infants take 2-3 naps a day and receive 3-5 bottles in the loving arms of our caregivers. For infants 6 months and older, we alternate solids and bottles. Food is offered at our weaning table with the presence of a caregiver at all times.
Routine happenings in our infant program:
• Daily outdoor playtime (weather permitting), field trips to the park, nature stroller walks
• Hourly diaper checks (poopy diapers changed immediately)
• Snack time at the weaning table
• Use of utensils and self-feeding encouraged at every meal
• Quality time with caregivers on the floor and during caregiving activities
Toddler
The South Coast Montessori toddler community is an environment that bridges the gap between the infant and the primary. This environment is for the young child who is ready to make a conscious effort toward independence and ready for more advanced work. Throughout the day, the development of the whole child is celebrated and supported. Close and careful observation is utilized by the adults, while children are given guidance as needed, as well as the time and space to develop at their own rhythm.
Typical schedule in our toddler classrooms:
• 8:30-10:30am – Morning work period of lessons, free work choice, food preparation, snack
• 10:30-11:30am – Outdoor time in garden, sand box, climbing structures and grassy field
• 11:30am-12:00pm – Community lunch
• 12:00pm-waking – Nap
• 2:30pm –Prepare for go-home or extended day in the garden
Primary
Our primary classroom is a community of children and adults. The classroom consists of children from a multi-age span of three to six years. This creates a “family” like group where older children model and help care for younger children, and younger children look up to and learn from the older children. Varying levels of ability blend easily in a multiage setting, no child feels left behind, and everyone learns at their own pace.
Daily schedule in our primary classrooms:
• 8:30-11:30am – Uninterrupted work period
• 11:30am-12:00pm – Community lunch
• 12:00-1:00 pm – Outdoor play
• 1:00 – 2:30pm – Nap or afternoon work period
• 2:30pm –Prepare for go-home or extended day in the enrichment room
Q: What curriculum is available and taught at your school?
A: Dr. Maria Montessori observed that the transformation of children from birth to adulthood occurs through a series of developmental “planes”. These transformations relate to the child’s physical, intellectual, social, emotional, and spiritual aspects of development. At each level of the South Coast Montessori program, the implementation of the Montessori principles change in scope and manner to embrace the child’s changing characteristics, needs, and interests at each plane of development.
Montessori materials teach through hands on learning, spontaneous engagement, active involvement, and self-directed activity. Montessori materials have a control of error inherent in their design. This allows children to work independently, unafraid to make mistakes and to become comfortable with the fact that errors are essential to the process of learning. While making independent choices and exploring concepts largely on their own, Montessori students construct their own sense of individual identity. They become independent and confident individuals.
Q: Can you describe your student to teacher ratio?
A: Our child/teacher ratio for infant care is 3 to 1, in our toddler room it is 6 to 1 and in the pre-school program it is 12 to 1.
Q: How does your school select/hire teachers? In what ways have these teachers either prepared or trained for distance learning?
A: South Coast Montessori is dedicated to the principles of Association Montessori International (AMI), a globally recognized organization created by Maria Montessori to ensure the authenticity of the method. Our lead primary teachers are AMI certified and have received their diplomas from AMI training centers. In addition to meeting all the California State requirements for child care, we hire teachers who are dedicated to the Montessori principles and are committed to promoting curiosity, inquiry, engagement, community and peace in all our environments.
Q: Does your school measure student progress? If so, how do you measure this individual achievement?
A: The Montessori curriculum is carefully structured and sequenced based on the developmental needs of each individual child. Teachers maintain careful records of each student’s individual progress. Portfolios of work are kept for older children. Children are not compared against arbitrary standards or the performance of their classmates. Parent teacher conferences are held twice a year to discuss student progress. Additional conferences can be held at a parent or teacher’s request.
The child is intrinsically motivated to learn. In a Montessori classroom, children do not work for grades or external rewards. Children work and learn because they are interested in gaining an understanding of the world around them.
Q: How does your school support students who have academic, social, or emotional difficulties?
A: Montessori Education is for all children without distinction of race, religion, socioeconomic status and physical or neurological differences. We believe every child is a valued member, with opportunities to contribute and feel part of the group. All children develop their resilience, empathy and compassion, learning to work with others who have their own challenges. We work with children, their parents and specialists (as necessary) to support and offer learning plans that meet the needs of all children to reach their potential.
Q: How can parents get involved at your school during COVID-19 and thereafter?
A: We encourage our families to be part of the South Coast Montessori community by participating in a thoughtfully prepared handful of all-school events. Throughout the year there are also opportunities for parent volunteers to enhance the classroom experience for all children. We have modified our community events by limiting the group sizes, hosting them primarily outdoors, and implementing social distancing and mask wearing.
Q:What is the cost or tuition to attend your school?
A: Please visit https://www.southcoastmontessori.org/tuition-and-fees
Click here for more information about South Coast Montessori.