Montessori Elementary & Middle School in Birmingham, AL

Joseph S. Bruno Montessori Academy:
The Joseph S. Bruno Montessori Academy in Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama is a non-profit, private school educating students from preschool through eighth grade. Our goal is to provide the opportunity for all students to grow to their fullest potential cognitively, socially, emotionally, spiritually, morally and aesthetically. Our student population is diverse ethnically and racially, so our students gain tolerance, acceptance, knowledge, and respect for all cultures.

Quality Preschool through Middle School Programs:

Preschool Program (age 3-6):
Each preschool classroom is a community of 25 children and two teachers. The children remain with the same teachers for three years. This means that every year, only one-third of the children will be in the learning environment for the first time. The older and more experienced children assist the teachers in caring for and helping the new children.

Also, the older children gain self-esteem as they become the leaders in the classroom. The teachers come to know each child well, especially their strengths and weaknesses, anxieties, and goals. They monitor each student’s progress presenting sufficient challenges for each one.

Preschool children receive lessons in all of the specific areas of practical life, mathematics, language arts, visual arts, music, cultural studies, sensory perception and gross and fine motor development. Lessons are limited to brief presentations providing the most clear and simple information. At first, just enough is said to capture the child’s interest and imagination. Often the teacher will expand the lesson at another time as the child continues to work with the materials on his own.

It is often the child’s interest which sparks the lesson and creates new curricula. All areas of study are appealing to the children because of the beautifully made hands-on materials. Teachers are also careful to observe each child, providing experiences and lessons which are of particular interest. The classroom changes from week to week evolving and developing to meet the needs of each child.

Lower Elementary (Grade 1-3 / age 6-9):
Children move up to the lower academy with ease and self-confidence. The classroom climate is supportive and non-judgmental. The primary goal is to nurture the immense potential within every child. The children discover a continuation of the same way of learning in an attractive environment with hands-on materials. Lessons are given to children in small groups and they progress as their ability allows. We eliminate possible frustration by providing just the right amount of challenge at the right time. Lessons are repeated until concepts are fully mastered. We want every child to realize success.

When one enters the classroom, children can be observed working on many different lessons and activities. Some children may choose to work alone, while others will work in pairs or in small groups. All are intensely working and pay no attention to a newcomer who enters their environment. The children have weekly work plans. They also choose special work they want to do. Researching an individual topic of interest is a popular choice of special work.

Upper Elementary (Grade 4-6 / age 9-12):
The staff of the elementary II level, which encompasses the 4th, 5th and 6th grades, does provide the opportunity for all students to grow to their fullest potential cognitively, socially, emotionally, physically, morally, aesthetically, and spiritually. First, the cognitive potential of each child is developed in a number of ways. Every child is taught and assessed on their competence in language arts, mathematics, history, geography, zoology, geometry, music, art, and various research skills. This is done individually, in small interchangeable groups, or in a large group setting.

The various learning styles of each individual are met by presenting lessons both visually and orally. Also, the Montessori materials provide a tactile experience. All students are expected and encouraged to continue working with materials until they have mastered and are confident with the concept. For those students needing extra challenge acceleration will be provided. Students are required to record in writing what they are practicing in all disciplines.

Middle School (Grade 7-8):
The middle school program currently includes both 7th and 8th grades. The curriculum is comprised of a two-year program with alternating cycles. In cycle “A”, U. S. history, American literature, and life science are taught. In cycle “B”, world history, world literature, and physical science are taught. Mathematics, language, physical education, art, music, drama and foreign language are taught in both cycles as part of a continuum of skills. Earth science is incorporated into both life and physical science where appropriate. The middle school program is challenging. Although the program is individualized for each student, the expectation level is set high.

Students will work both individually and in groups throughout the school year. Students working individually are required to establish a timetable for completing their requirements. This timetable is reviewed with the teacher and monitored for progress. Students in groups will develop the essential skills of working together towards a common goal. Tasks are divided among group members and are discussed with the teacher. At the end of the project, students will evaluate each group members’ effectiveness in being a part of the team. The use of technology is incorporated into the middle school curriculum in most content areas. Knowing that students must be able to use computers and computer related software, it is a required part of the middle school program for the students to become proficient in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.