School Overview

About Our School

Established in 2001, CVMCS is a public elementary school and part of the Eau Claire Area School District. It is overseen by a governance board and school board. The school follows the same district calendar, lunch and recess program, and standardized testing process as other schools. In addition to the WI DPI certification, teachers are trained in Montessori philosophy.

Our Montessori Method

Presentations

Students are given individual or small group presentations on a task, project or lesson, called a “work.”  Multi-sensory materials are often used to present abstract concepts in a concrete way.

Multi-aged Classrooms

Classrooms contain more than one grade level which helps develop social skills and encourages mentoring. This arrangement allows students to stay with the same teacher and peers for 2-3 years which develops a sense of community.

Child-Directed Activities  

Children have freedom, within-limits, to choose their own work. There is an emphasis on movement, choice, and repetition. Children work at their own pace, alone or in groups, during long blocks of work time.

Practical Life

Students are given practical life tasks to be done with grace and courtesy. From watering plants and polishing mirrors in Children’s House to weekly jobs in E1 and E2, students are directly taught how to conduct themselves  in the real world.