About Montessori del Mundo

Our Mission

The mission of Montessori del Mundo is to prepare all students for success in college and the future bilingual workforce and to build a strong, educated, bilingual community.

At Montessori del Mundo, we believe children learn best when their instruction is individualized to their needs and supports their development with a holistic approach to learning. We also believe that all students benefit from a bilingual education. In order to accomplish our mission and realize our vision to prepare students for success in college and the bilingual workforce, and build a strong bilingual community, we commit to:

• Challenge every child every day
• Promote professional Spanish
• Cultivate a bilingual school community
• Invest in families
• Insist on equity
• Develop a team of educated, prepared, effective teachers

Our vision is for Montessori del Mundo graduates to be bilingual, self-motivated, critical thinkers, with a love of learning, who will shape and advance the integrated communities of the 21st century. MdM is authorized by the Colorado Charter School Institute (CSI), the state’s only non-district charter school authorizer.

Dual Language

Dual language education is shown to close the achievement gap for second language speakers in 95-100% of the cases by fifth grade. English speaking students who attend dual language programs also consistently out-perform their English-speaking peers who are attending school in English only.

The student population at Montessori del Mundo will be made up of approximately 50% native English and approximately 50% native Spanish speakers with a goal of bilingualism and bi-literacy for all students. At Montessori del Mundo we believe that a child’s knowledge is the sum total of their knowledge and abilities in Spanish and in English.

Research shows that Spanish speaking students learn English better and more fluently when they also receive instruction in English. English speaking students also benefit from a bilingual educational experience. The benefits of being bilingual are numerous: better job prospects, better brain function, a more comprehensive view of the world, and the ability to empathize with people different from yourself.

Children do not need to be fluent in Spanish, English, or either language to enroll at Montessori del Mundo. Our goal is to grow each child’s bilingual capacity so that they can perform on grade level or above in both languages, regardless of the language they speak when they enter the program.

Our dual-language model consists of:

90% Spanish / 10% English in Preschool and Kindergarten classrooms

60% Spanish / 40% English in 1st-3rd grade classrooms

50% Spanish / 50% English in 4th-6th grade classrooms

Montessori

The Montessori teaching philosophy emphasizes individualization of instruction, respect for the child and their developmental needs and a balance of freedom and choice within structure and limits. Students are grouped in multi-age classrooms and have the same teacher for three consecutive years. Children learn fundamental skills in reading, writing, math, science and social studies and also explore collaborative skills, time management, personal responsibility, artistic appreciation, diversity and inclusion, activism, and good citizenship.

Teachers give students lessons one on one or in small groups so each child is working at exactly his or her level. Children are encouraged to take the time to master important foundational skills and also to explore their interests and direct their own education.

Montessori students are: independent, responsible, good citizens and friends, collaborative, problem-solvers, self-reliant, persistent, articulate, happy, and prepared for whatever comes their way.

Curriculum

Montessori del Mundo follows the Montessori curriculum for math, reading, writing, science, social studies (including geography and history), art and music. This curriculum includes everything children learn in traditional schools and more! Classrooms consist of mixed grades based on the Montessori philosophy that students teach and learn from each other. This could mean that a first grader could be learning second grade work if s/he shows interest.

Students receive lessons from teachers individually or in small groups.  Students then follow a self-directed education in which they are given the freedom to choose their own works to complete alone, with a partner, or with a group.

Students have a minimum of two hours of Montessori work time in the morning. The community circle gives students and teachers time to discuss happenings in their classroom community and to connect with each other. The language circle provides a time to focus on language skills in both Spanish and English, such as frequently used words. Preschool and Kindergarten students have one recess break in the morning and one in the afternoon. Electives (art, physical education, music, typing) are offered for K-6th grades at midday while preschoolers have a nap. The afternoon consists of more Montessori work time and reading/writing groups.