Ages 3 to 6, including Kindergarten · Five days per week · South Huntsville campus
The Primary years lay the foundation for everything that follows. Children develop the academic skills, independence, concentration, and confidence that will shape their future learning.
THE THREE-YEAR CYCLE
The Primary classroom serves children from ages 3 to 6, spanning the years traditionally known as Preschool, Pre-K, and Kindergarten. Rather than changing classrooms, teachers, and expectations every year, children have the time and consistency to grow into their environment, deepen their learning, and develop genuine confidence.
CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT AND CURRICULUM
The Primary classroom builds the foundational skills children need to succeed in Elementary: strong concentration, early academic readiness, independence, and confidence in learning. Each Primary classroom includes up to 22 children with two teachers, a ratio of roughly one adult to every eleven students.
Learning is guided by the principle of "follow the child." Teachers observe each student closely and introduce lessons when a child is developmentally ready, ensuring that skills are introduced at the right moment for confidence and mastery. Instruction is delivered individually or in small groups, allowing children to progress at their own pace while building strong academic habits.
WHAT CHILDREN LEARN
Children build the foundational skills needed for reading and writing, including phonemic awareness, sound-symbol recognition, vocabulary development, and early comprehension. Pre-writing work strengthens fine motor control, pencil grip, and the ability to form letters with clarity and confidence.
Children develop early mathematical understanding through hands-on materials that build number sense, quantity, sequencing, patterns, and early operations. Our learners become more confident with numbers and develop the thinking skills needed for future abstract mathematical work.
Children develop independence through daily routines that help them take responsibility for themselves in a school environment, including managing belongings, preparing and completing work, and caring for their own needs. Our learners become more capable of managing routines, making choices, and sustaining focus without constant adult direction.
Children learn to care for their classroom as a shared academic space. This daily responsibility builds respect for the learning environment and strengthens habits of organization and accountability.
A central goal of Primary is helping children develop sustained attention, persistence, and the ability to complete meaningful work from start to finish. Through repetition, choice, and engagement with hands-on materials, children build strong academic work habits and become more confident working independently.
By the end of Primary, children are academically and developmentally prepared for the next stage of learning. They are beginning to read, write, and work with numbers while also demonstrating independence, concentration, and confidence in a structured learning environment. We work to ensure each child leaves Primary ready for Elementary: capable, focused, and prepared for more complex academic work.
SCHEDULE OPTIONS
Our Primary community attends five days a week, with three daily options:
HALF DAY
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
SCHOOL DAY
8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
EXTENDED DAY
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Please note that Kindergarten students must attend on a School Day schedule. Schedule options are subject to availability, and families who need an earlier start can take advantage of Early Morning Care, offered beginning at 7:30 a.m.
A FAMILY'S EXPERIENCE
"My daughter has spent the past three years in MSH Primary, and I couldn't be happier with our experience. Whether the curriculum is focused on Spanish, Science, or the History of the Universe, she always has something exciting to share about her day. The teachers are truly amazing individuals who ensure she feels supported and loved every day. I highly recommend this school to any family seeking a nurturing and engaging Montessori environment."
Continuing the Journey
Children who complete the Primary cycle are well prepared to move into our Elementary program, entering with strong academic foundations and a genuine love of learning.
The best way to understand the Primary classroom is to visit. Schedule a tour to see a work cycle in action, or reach out to our admissions team to learn more.