Academics

"Unlocking Potential, Inspiring Lifelong Learners."

Welcome from our Principal

Mrs. Simone Ross

Principal

Welcome to our Village Montessori family. We are delighted to be a part of the educational communities on the island. Within our school community we share respect for self, others, and the environment in an inclusive and nurturing setting.

 

Simone was born in Kingston, Jamaica and moved to the Cayman Islands as a baby. Having lived in Grand Cayman all her life, she has had the opportunity to volunteer and work in the field of education, both public and private. This involvement has enhanced her knowledge of our local education system, our youth and the things our community strives for through positive and active volunteer programs.

Simone has been teaching for over twenty years and her experience has provided her the opportunity to teach a broad range of age groups as well as gaining administrative leadership experience. Ross has been working at Starfish Village/Village Montessori since opening in July 2014. She has had the privilege of working in all age classrooms from ages 18 months to age 12. This has given her insightful hands on experience in working with children with many different learning needs, and styles.

Mrs. Simone Ross

Principal

Welcome to our Village Montessori family. We are delighted to be a part of the educational communities on the island. Within our school community we share respect for self, others, and the environment in an inclusive and nurturing setting.

 

Simone was born in Kingston, Jamaica and moved to the Cayman Islands as a baby. Having lived in Grand Cayman all her life, she has had the opportunity to volunteer and work in the field of education, both public and private. This involvement has enhanced her knowledge of our local education system, our youth and the things our community strives for through positive and active volunteer programs. Simone has been teaching for over twenty years and her experience has provided her the opportunity to teach a broad range of age groups as well as gaining administrative leadership experience. Ross has been working at Starfish Village/Village Montessori since opening in July 2014. She has had the privilege of working in all age classrooms from ages 18 months to age 12. This has given her insightful hands on experience in working with children with many different learning needs, and styles.

With a Bachelors of Arts in Elementary Education and having successfully completed Leadership training through Principals’ Training Center, She also holds a Montessori Toddler certification. She has long believed that every person has the gift of love and talent; it is our jobs as educators to enrich those talents into positive academic or vocational expertise, and foster lifelong learners.

 

Having a natural love for our community and children, Simone thrives to build a strong school culture of caring, community learners, building healthy communication, and relationships.

If young people are to meet the challenges of survival that faces them today, it is imperative that they develop to the fullest extent possible their potential for creativity, initiative, independence, inner discipline and self-confidence. This is the central focus of Montessori education.

~ Dr. Maria Montessori

Our Academic Programs

I8 Months

Toddler Turtles

Children enrolling in the Toddler program must be at least 18 months of age on their first day of school (September 1st).

This program is available five days a week as:
Morning: 7:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Lunch program: 7:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Full day program: 7:45 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Village Montessori’s Toddler Program draws on the idea that even very young children have the innate capacity and special desire to learn. Our program is structured to implement that concept and our classroom and curriculum is enriched with age-appropriate materials and surroundings. The focus at this age is on socialization, self-control, and independence.

Dr. Maria Montessori believed that in order for children to develop critical thinking skills, they must be free to experience and manipulate objects in their surroundings. Additionally, socialization without constant adult intervention allows the child to gain the valuable skill of conflict resolution. The toddler classroom provides a nurturing and safe environment where our students have the freedom to learn through self-exploration and discovery, which brings order and satisfaction to their lives.

3 Years

Casa Butterflies & Parrots

Children enrolling in the Casa class must be at least 3 years of age on their first day of school (September 1st).

Children must be able to use the bathroom with complete independence, diapers or pull-ups are not allowed at any time in the Casa class.

This program is available five days a week as:
Morning: 7:45 a.m. – 12:15 a.m.
Lunch program: 7:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Full day program: 7:45 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Our Casa curriculum is designed to teach children independence, fine/gross motor skills, practical life skills, language, mathematics, geography and culture. We aim to provide positive encouragement and activities that foster growth and development in a nurturing environment. The children are welcome to observe before participating and are given the freedom to repeat activities as often as they choose. In accordance with Montessori philosophy, the adults present are there to allow the children to work as independently as possible.

6 Years

Lower Elementary Stingrays & Eaglerays

Children enrolling in the Lower Elementary class must be at least 6 years of age on their first day of school (September 1st).

This program is available five days a week as:
Full day program: 7:45 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.  

Our Elementary Classroom offers a dynamic environment designed to motivate children, ages 6 to 9 years, to reach their academic potential. Lessons in the areas of language arts, mathematics, geography, science and cultural studies are fundamental to the curriculum. Enrichment activities include yoga, music, physical education, art and language.

The elementary program offers a continuum built on the Casa experience with an environment that reflects a new stage of development and allows the child to explore while developing their own approach to how they best learn. With the integration of arts, science, mathematics, history, geography and language the imagination and drive to explore helps to guide the child’s learning and continues to build the foundation of retaining what is taught. The use of timelines, pictures, charts, and other visual and physical aids help to provide a linguistic and visual overview of the first principles of each discipline while working in small groups or as a class helps to nurture collaboration and solution-oriented learning.

9 Years

Upper Elementary Egrets

Children enrolling in the Upper Elementary class must be at least 9 years of age on their first day of school (September 1st).

This program is available five days a week as:
Full day program: 7:45 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

As children enter the Upper Elementary, they continue on the second plane of development. With each Montessori classroom building upon the principles and foundations of the previous class, children continue to gain a deeper understanding in various academic areas, and their sense of place within their classroom community.

When children enter the Upper Elementary, they should be socially and emotionally adjusted beings who feel deeply connected to their Montessori community. As children continue to gain a greater sense of community, they will see an increase in group projects, field studies, and community service events which is a testament to their increasing self-control and blossoming ability to work in partnership with their peers.

The areas of study will comprise of English/ Language ArtsMathematics ScienceForeign languageSocial studies (Botany, Geography, History, Zoology ) Design and TechnologyICTArts (Music, Dance, Drama and Visual Art)Physical Education and Health Development Personal, Moral and Social Development (Life Skills, Community Service and Citizenship)Religious education.

As children move into the Upper Elementary classroom, they acquire more understanding of abstract concepts. Concrete materials are used to introduce ideas, but children can more easily transfer that knowledge to the abstract.

Our objective is to guide and strengthen the students love of learning by developing their independence and critical thinking skills.

Camps

Village Montessori runs fun-filled, active and engaging theme based camps over all school breaks and for a portion of each summer. While these camps are generally dedicated to our own students we do reserve a limited amount of spaces for children from other schools. Our camps are flexible with half-day, daily and weekly rates depending on the week.

Education is not something which the teacher does, but a natural process that develops spontaneously in the human being.

~ Dr. Maria Montessori

How To Apply

1

Request a Tour

View our classrooms and learn more about Village Montessori education.

2

Submit an Application

After your tour you’re invited to apply for your child.

3

Join Our Village!

Meet other new parents, connect with us and get acquainted with our Village.

Request A Tour!

This is an opportunity to witness firsthand the nurturing and child-centered approach to education that sets Montessori apart. It’s a chance to see how the Montessori approach encourages children to become independent, confident learners who love to explore and discover.

Our Location​

Village Montessori

94 Solaris Avenue, Camana Bay, Grand Cayman.

Request A Tour!

ALL TOURS START AT 3:30 PM.