Montessori Primary Program (ages 3-6)
"The greatest gifts we can give our children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence."
~ Maria Montessori
Preschool & Kindergarten
At Agia Sophia Academy we offer a Montessori Primary Program for students ages 3-6. Below are a few things that make ASA unique.
What Makes ASA Unique
Full & Half Day Options
Choose between half-day (4 hours) or full-day (6 hours). Plus as a licensed childcare provider, we can accept DHS Employer Related Day Care vouchers or Dependent Care FSAs.
Music
We believe music is core to fully educating the person; therefore students receive music instructions 3 days a week.
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Classes include dance/movement, theory, history, and application through writing and playing instruments. Students acquire these skills using art songs, classical music, Orthodox music, and American Folk Songs.
Art
We believe Art is a fundamental part of a complete education. It provides experiences, knowledge, and a way of knowing not found in any other curriculum area.
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Art education provides a means for students to be artistically creative, the ability to express themselves, and involves students intellectually and spiritually. It also provides knowledge and skills that transfer to other disciplines and life situations. Art connects us to the fundamental concerns of civilizations, and leads us to a deeper comprehension of our culture and ourselves. Art education allows students to satisfy one of humanity’s fundamental needs to go beyond mere existence – to exercise their God-given desire to achieve and create.
The Art program begins at the Kindergarten level, teaching students the rules and mechanics of drawing. They learn about: line, form, shape, space, value, color, and texture. To create an aesthetic whole they learn about: contrast, emphasis, balance, unity, proportion, movement, and rhythm.
Children also learn and work with various media including: charcoal, ink, clay, collage…to stimulate their imagination and creativity. With respect to color, they learn the basics of color wheel and color mixing, which is a foundational skill for this age.
Art History is integrated into Art program to build a clearer understanding and engage the children in History.
Physical Education (PE)
Students learn to develop the sense of physical and spatial awareness through movement towards the eventual mastery of locomotor and nonlocomotor movement patterns. Manipulative skills & fitness activities strengthen the motor skills and the developing body.
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Students pursue health, physical fitness and active lifestyles based on the National Standards for Physical Education and Dance which aids in developing Muscular Strength, Aerobic Capacity, Muscular Endurance and Flexibility. Through Cooperative Games, Creative Dance, and Folk Dances, the students learn about other cultures, social awareness, cooperation, problem solving, and self and group expression.
Faith & Clergy Visits
Students at ASA begin and end each day with a short prayer service. Additionally, we have one Divine Liturgy a month, as well as visits from local clergy and guests.
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Faith class supplements home and church attendance with consistent reference to and instruction in the Gospels, the Nicene Creed and Divine Liturgy.
Community & Special Events
Each year we host a variety of activities for the students at ASA. These may include, but are not limited to: Passport to ASA, Special Guest Day (i.e. Grandparents Day), Pizza Day with the Board, 100th Day, St. Nicholas Day, Safety Days & other in-house presentations.
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In the past, Agia Sophia Academy also organized and hosted the annual Orthodox Youth Cultural Exchange, where children from Portland’s various Orthodox churches shared their ethnic dances, songs and more, in celebration of Orthodox culture.
What is Montessori?
Montessori is a method of education developed by Dr. Maria Montessori in the early 1900’s. Montessori programs are found world-wide, spanning six continents and becoming extremely popular in the U.S. in the last 50 years. It is founded on the scientific observation of children’s learning processes; teaching abstract concepts in a concrete way through the five senses.
The Montessori curriculum is organized into seven main areas:
Practical LifeSensorialMathematicsLanguageScienceHistory/GeographyArt
The materials are available to children on low shelves with each subject area found in a different part of the room. Each work is designed to be used by hand and absorbed by the mind, providing a strong kinesthetic approach to learning from which all children benefit. Children are usually presented “lessons” individually or in small groups to maximize their learning potential and teach to each child’s readiness. An additional benefit is that this affords an opportunity for the teacher and child to cultivate a strong relationship.
Montessori Resources
Book →Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius
Book →A Parent’s Guide to the Montessori Classroom
Book →Tomorrow’s Child
Magazine →The Montessori Way
Book →Montessori Institute NW
Hosts free parent information nights →
Sample Class Schedule
8:00aDrop-off begins & Greetings
8:15aMorning Prayers
8:30aMorning gathering: Pledge, lesson presentations, group discussions, show and tell, story time
9:00aStudents work independently, in small groups or have lessons with teacher
10:30aSnack Time
11:00aRecess
11:30aP.E./Library/Music/Art (depending on the day)
12:10pHalf-day dismissal
12:30pLunch
1:00pRest Period for Younger Students / Kinders in Small Group Work
1:30pClassroom work time for all those awake: Independent / group work
2:50pAfternoon Prayers
3:00pDismissal
*Schedule subject to change without notice
