Welcome to The Enfield Montessori School Parents

What is unique about the Montessori approach to education?
The Montessori educational movement is concerned with the total development of the child/person from birth to maturity. The prepared environment provides the conditions and materials for the children to develop their potential spiritually, physically, intellectually, aesthetically, and socially. This self-directed and guided development helps the child to grow at his/her own pace.

What are the school hours of operation?
School is in session Monday through Friday, except for teachers’ in-service days and holidays. Class begins at 8:05am. The school day concludes at 12:00 noon for pre-k students under the age of 5 years and at 2:30pm for all other students. (Please note that the month a child reaches age 5, he/she will stay a full day of school.)

Is transportation available to students?
Parents provide transportation to and from school for all pupils 2 to 4 years of age and for students living outside of Enfield, CT. The town of Enfield provides transportation for Enfield residents who are 5 years of age and older.

Is there a dress code?
Students in the Junior Classes are required to wear uniforms. Parents who have children in the Primary Classes may purchase uniforms if they so desire. On the days that students have physical education classes, gym uniforms should be worn. Gym uniforms may also be worn on scheduled early dismissal days. These uniforms must be purchased through the school.

Is there a lunch program available?
Parents must provide lunches for their children. Please Note that as of this year 2008/09 the school will now be a Peanut Free facility - there are many children with a peanut allergy so please remember to pack your child's lunch accordingly - Some alternatives to peanut butter are Sun Butter made from ground sunflower seeds and Soy Nut Butter - just make sure they are processed on equipment that doesn't process peanuts.

Are nursing services provided?
A school nurse from the Enfield public school system visits EMS once a week. The nurse maintains the health records, performs the appropriate screenings, administers medications according to Connecticut State Law, teaches about health issues and cares for children with school related illnesses and injuries.

Is physical education a part of the curriculum?
Physical fitness is an important component in education at EMS. Each level has weekly physical education classes. Parent volunteers direct the Primary Classes while a paid gym teacher directs the elementary level children.

Is art or music taught?
Art lessons and crafts are taught at all levels. Each teacher teaches music using the Montessori curriculum. The recorder is taught to students at the junior level.

Is computer technology part of the curriculum?
Each classroom is equipped with computers. The students utilize typing, word processing and tutorial applications as a part of their learning process. Computers with CD ROMs, and Internet connections are also provided under supervision.

How does my child complete a Montessori education at EMS?
The EMS program is structured so that it is completed when a child finishes sixth grade. Departures before the completion of the sixth grade means it is quite likely that your child will not have derived the full benefit of the EMS program.

Why is a deposit required that is refunded when my child completes
sixth grade at EMS?
EMS asks parents to make a commitment to the entire EMS program when they enroll their children. This commitment should be made with the understanding of the way the EMS program is designed.

Correspondingly, the School is making a commitment to your child to staff for and deliver costly resources for your child’s education. Any premature departures mean much higher costs per student in the upper grades. The forfeit of your deposit for early withdrawal helps support the educational commitment EMS had made to your child.