Our Programs

A program for every stage.

From newborn to ten years old — each Montessori environment is designed for exactly where your child is right now. Campus availability is noted on each program.

Not sure which program fits?

Call either campus or book a tour — we'll walk you through the right fit for your child's age, stage, and location.

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Infant Nido
6 weeks – 12 months
Both Campuses

Infant Nido

The Nido (Italian for "nest") is a peaceful, home-like environment for your youngest child. Caregivers nurture secure attachment while providing sensory-rich experiences that support each baby's individual development.

Every infant follows their own natural rhythm for eating, sleeping, and play — guided by attentive, trained caregivers who know each child by name.

Low child-to-caregiver ratio for individual attention
Developmentally appropriate sensory materials
Floor work supporting natural movement milestones
Consistent primary caregiver for secure attachment
Open communication with families daily
Ages
6 weeks – 12 months
Hours
7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Campuses
Chesterton & Valparaiso
Inquire About Enrollment
Toddler Program
12 – 24 months
Both Campuses

Toddler Program

Toddlers are driven by a powerful need to do things for themselves — and our Toddler Program is built entirely around that drive. Children explore with their hands, practice language through song and conversation, and develop real independence.

The environment is carefully sized and organized so toddlers can access materials, make choices, and care for their classroom — building confidence with every small success.

Child-sized environment promoting independence
Practical life activities (pouring, folding, preparing snack)
Rich language environment with songs, stories, and conversation
Outdoor time daily in all seasons
Gentle, consistent daily rhythm
Ages
12 – 24 months
Hours
7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Campuses
Chesterton & Valparaiso
Inquire About Enrollment
Pre-Primary
2 – 3.5 years
Both Campuses

Pre-Primary

The Pre-Primary bridges toddler life and the full Children's House experience. Children deepen their independence, refine motor skills, and begin engaging with Montessori materials in a more structured yet still warm environment.

Friendships take root, communication blossoms, and children start to understand themselves as capable members of a community.

Introduction to Montessori sensorial materials
Fine and gross motor development activities
Social-emotional learning and conflict resolution
Art, music, and movement integrated daily
Toilet learning supported in partnership with families
Before and after care available: 7:00 – 8:00 AM & 3:00 – 5:00 PM
Ages
2 – 3.5 years
Hours
8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Campuses
Chesterton & Valparaiso
Inquire About Enrollment
Children's House
3.5 – 6 years
Both Campuses

Children's House

The Children's House is the heart of the Montessori method — a richly prepared environment where children aged 3.5 to 6 work independently and in small groups across language, mathematics, sensorial exploration, science, geography, art, and practical life.

Three-year age groupings allow older children to mentor younger ones, and younger children to be inspired by what they're growing toward. The work period is three uninterrupted hours — time enough for deep focus.

3-hour uninterrupted work cycle each morning
Language, math, science, geography, art, and practical life
Multi-age grouping (3.5–6) for mentorship and inspiration
Hands-on Montessori materials for concrete to abstract learning
Before and after care available: 7:00 – 8:00 AM & 3:00 – 5:00 PM
Ages
3.5 – 6 years
Hours
8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Campuses
Chesterton & Valparaiso
Inquire About Enrollment
Children's House – Kindergarten
5 – 6 years
Both Campuses

Children's House – Kindergarten

Part of the Children's House Program

Children in their Kindergarten year become leaders of the Children's House. They take on greater responsibility, pursue more complex work, and serve as models for the younger children around them.

This year of celebration, mastery, and mentorship is one of the most powerful experiences in a child's Montessori journey — and one that sets them apart when they move forward.

Advanced Montessori language and math work
Leadership roles within the classroom community
Special research and project-based extensions
Kindergarten celebration and transition preparation
Elementary readiness assessment and family conference
Before and after care available: 7:00 – 8:00 AM & 3:00 – 5:00 PM
Ages
5 – 6 years
Hours
8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Campuses
Chesterton & Valparaiso
Inquire About Enrollment
Lower Elementary
6 – 10 years
Chesterton Campus Only

Lower Elementary: 1st thru 4th Grade

Elementary-aged children are driven by big questions: How did the universe begin? How do societies work? What is my place in the world? The Lower Elementary program meets these questions with imagination, research, and collaborative exploration.

Children work in small groups and independently on long-range projects, hands-on math and language extensions, science experiments, and cultural studies — all guided by a trained Montessori educator. Lower Elementary is offered exclusively at our Chesterton campus.

Cosmic Education — science, history, geography, culture
Advanced language arts: reading, writing, grammar, composition
Concrete Montessori materials leading to abstract math
Collaborative research projects and presentations
Community-based learning and service
Ages
6 – 10 years
Hours
8:00 AM – 3:15 PM
Campus
Chesterton only
Visit the Chesterton Campus
Childcare
All ages
Both Campuses

Childcare

We understand that families need flexible care options around the school day. Both campuses offer before- and after-class childcare for our Pre-Primary and Children's House programs.

Before-class care runs from 7:00 to 8:00 AM and after-class care from 3:00 to 5:00 PM. Our Infant Nido and Toddler programs run the full day, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with flexible drop-off and pickup anytime.

Before-class care: 7:00 – 8:00 AM
After-class care: 3:00 – 5:00 PM
Offered for Pre-Primary and Children's House
Infant Nido & Toddler: full day 7 AM – 5 PM, flexible pickup and drop-off
Available at both Chesterton and Valparaiso
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Next Steps

Questions about which program is right?

We're happy to talk through your child's age, stage, and readiness. Tours are available weekdays at both campuses.

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