Programs
SBM Programs: Early Childhood - Kindergarten - Elementary - Before and After School - Summer
Montessori Early Childhood Programs
Silver Bow Montessori School has offered an Early Childhood Program (ages 3 through 6) since 1988. The school’s bright, well-equipped, and well-staffed Montessori early childhood classroom offers children more autonomy, individuality, and opportunity for social interaction than more traditional preschool classrooms.
The professional staffing, highly developed curriculum, facilities, equipment, and programs offered by Silver Bow Montessori School are unique in Southwest Montana. Families have enrolled students from as far away as Dillon, Whitehall, Anaconda, and Deer Lodge. Hundreds of former students attending all of Butte’s public and private schools can attest to the value of investing in Montessori early childhood education. It’s as important as saving for college.
We want to emphasize that the Montessori early childhood classroom is a three year program. We ask parents to consider the importance of beginning their child’s school experience at age 3, or as soon as the child is toilet-trained, and continuing through the three-year curriculum. This gives the child the opportunity to participate as both beginner and experienced leader, to develop the most effective habits and appreciations early, and to work with the full range of the curriculum.
In order to offer each child the most individual attention, we will be offering both morning and afternoon sessions for children enrolled half-days. We will limit the enrollment in each session to a desirable level. Accordingly, if your child will be coming for a half day and you have a preference for morning or afternoon, please enroll or gain placement on the waiting list as soon as possible to ensure availability.
We encourage you to consider continuing Montessori education for your child at Kindergarten age. The enriched Montessori environment offers your child all of the academic preparation provided in the traditional Kindergarten class plus the autonomy, individual pace and breadth of curriculum that are particular strengths of Montessori education. Our full day program includes hands-on projects and an emphasis on art, science, world cultures, music, and the love of reading.
For the Kindergarten-aged child, the third or fourth year of Montessori experience is an important time of growth, synthesis and transition. The child gets to be a leader within the early childhood classroom, while joining the elementary aged children for regular library trips. You may want to consider that school costs for kindergarten-aged children are generally eligible for the childcare tax credit to the extent that your family qualifies for that credit.
The Montessori elementary classroom continues the early childhood program’s focus on the whole child. It is a multi-aged classroom that provides each child individualized opportunities for hands-on learning and positive social interaction. The curriculum and environment are designed to nurture the physical, intellectual, social, and emotional development of the students. The broad variety of Montessori materials stimulates multi-sensory learning and independent thinking. The classroom community is a learning laboratory for the child’s responsible participation within a democratic society. Frequent field trips and interactions with people from throughout the community are part of the elementary experience.
Students currently enrolled in the Early Childhood Program at Silver Bow Montessori may directly re-enroll into the kindergarten and elementary classes. Students coming from other schools will follow the elementary admission process for Silver Bow Montessori School. This admission packet is available upon request. We would be glad for the opportunity to meet with you to provide any further information.
Before and after-school care is available to enrolled students. Please refer to the Tuition and Payment Schedule for further information.
Summer Programs and Child Care
Silver Bow Montessori School offers summer camps and child care during summer months. Please refer to the program announcement which comes out in spring of each year.
