Curriculum
Woven in with your child’s academic program (i.e., reading, math, history, etc.) are lessons for holistic living and the broadening of horizons. In following Maria Montessori’s vision, we believe these intra-curricular activities to be a vitally important part of your child’s education.

Art
Dayspring students learn and improve upon the basic skills and fundamental principles of art. Opportunities are given to explore many different mediums through a wide variety of projects. Students will not be graded on their work, but are encouraged to reach their individual potential in artistic ability and knowledge. Art history is also an area of concentration. It is our hope that the children will gain an appreciation of art and use it as an avenue of expression in their lives.

Music
Children will spend time each week singing, learning about, playing instruments, and exploring basic music terminology. Music history will also be taught in an effort to raise their awareness about the fine arts in general. One of our goals in teaching music is to help children relate to and respect traditional genres of music.

Physical Fitness (P.E.)
Conditioning, coordination, and skills training are important to our P.E. Program, as well as fun! We focus on personal physical growth, rather than competitive sports. This is done through cooperative learning and assisting others to develop using a variety of games, drills, dances and activities that will facilitate both physical development and good citizenship.

Practical Life Skills
There are four main areas in the Montessori definitional of “practical life activities”.
They are:

Care of self
Care of the environment
Grace and courtesy
And control of movement

Children are given age appropriate lessons in each of these areas throughout their Montessori years. Part of the curriculum included in the grace and courtesy lessons are the lessons on peace. Dr. Montessori believed that if society is to increase in good will and brotherhood, the change must begin with the children. We offer to each child the opportunity to learn cooperation, courtesy, respect for all life, integrity, an attitude of service, and love for all the earth and its inhabitants. We teach the language of peace and how to use words to solve conflict. Through structured experiences, meal times, class meetings and formal lessons, children gain the tools that are used to live peacefully and gracefully in an often-dissonant world.

Testing and Cumulative
Files
Dayspring tests students who are ages six, seven and eight for reading skills using the Gates-MacGinitie Reading Assessment Test.  For students age nine and above, the Stanford Achievement Test is used. Both tests are administered in the spring.  The SAT Test is one indicator of academic progress.  It is an achievement test to see how students compare with other students their age across the country.  All these measuring tools are used to assess your child’s academic progress. Be aware that students do not receive letter grades for their work until level 6 (approximately ages 11-12).
Each student has a cumulative file which includes school Progress Reports, showing academic and social progress and notes on their classroom performance. This cumulative record is passed on to each new teacher or school in the child’s educational career. Parents have the right to these records at any time.