Elementary
Grades 1-6
Montessori from Kindergarten to 8th Grade
Our Upper School offers a continuous Montessori journey from Kindergarten through 8th grade, rooted in hands-on learning, independence, and real-world relevance. In multi-age classrooms, students build strong academic foundations while developing leadership, collaboration, and critical thinking skills. As a public charter program, this tuition-free offering makes authentic Montessori education accessible to more families—empowering students to grow with confidence, curiosity, and purpose through every stage of their development.
Elementary: Level Overview
Lower Elementary: 1st – 3rd Grade
Upper Elementary: 4th – 6th Grade
Level Overview
Children in the elementary years have an intellectual power unsurpassed at any other age as they become more aware of their potential. They bring to their work two important tools: a powerful reasoning mind and a robust imagination. Students are deeply immersed into the process of researching, classifying and ordering; examining everything from history and botany to language and mathematics.
Purpose and Goal
Elementary students are natural explorers in the world around them. These intellectual tools combined with a natural urge to collaborate opens a field of exploration so vast that virtually any concept or system can be explored. Using both hands-on materials, and tapping into the brain’s developing abstract thinking, the elementary classrooms are designed to advance both academic reasoning and social knowledge.
Classroom Structure
The elementary years are divided into Lower (first – third) and Upper (fourth – sixth) classrooms. Montessori curriculum integrates subject areas to highlight inter-related areas of study creating awareness and curiosity which makes learning even more exciting and challenging. Teachers utilize stories, lessons, charts, demonstrations and scientifically accurate language to enrich and enhance interest in learning.
The elementary years take the next steps in developing a well-rounded person; the outside world becomes a crucial part of the learning process. “Going Out” activities happen frequently to allow students the opportunity to explore what they are learning hands-on. Whether it is a trip to the museum, shopping for food at an ethnic grocer or attending a performance, being out of the classroom enhances the research happening inside of it.
From utilizing the art studio to make pieces which support their studies, to performing in a play, or becoming more versed in their musical talents, elementary students at Oak Hill are enriching their entire being with deeper exposure to art, music and theatre.
Targeted outcomes at the completion of each Elementary level
Lower Elementary
Mastery of 2, 3 & 4 digit math problems using all operations
Writing with proper sentence & paragraph structure while minimizing spelling errors
Knowledge of Continents & Oceans, as well as the Solar System & Universe
Experience researching animal/plant kingdoms as well as basic understanding of scientific method
Exposure to basic mathematical operations of fractions & decimals
Study of cultures, civilizations and History timelines
Able to identify and explain parts of speech
Upper Elementary
Mastery of whole numbers, integers, fractions & decimals using all operations
Exposure to World, United States & Minnesota history
Comfort in presenting research findings both verbally and written
Early exposure to algebraic equations and geometry
Able to read and evaluate fiction and nonfiction materials
Well versed in the scientific method as well as the topics of Biology, Earth Science, Chemistry and Physics
Knowledge of homonyms, synonyms & antonyms through word study
Oak Hill Montessori Community School is proud to be an AMI accredited school, the original organization created by Dr. Maria Montessori in 1929. All lead teachers are licensed teachers who have completed their AMI Certification in addition to a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Why Montessori Matters
Montessori education is designed to support the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally. Grounded in more than a century of research and real-world success, the Montessori method helps children become independent thinkers, capable collaborators, and lifelong learners.
Studies show that Montessori students often demonstrate stronger executive function skills, greater intrinsic motivation, and higher levels of academic achievement and well-being compared to peers in traditional settings.* With mixed-age classrooms and hands-on materials, Montessori environments foster curiosity, concentration, and confidence—empowering children to take ownership of their learning.
Our Mission
Our Vision
Preparing every student for tomorrow by nurturing the love of learning today.
Creating a space for students, families, and community members to thrive as they collaborate to learn, to celebrate, and to serve one another.
Our Values
Independent thinking and self-reliance through purposeful work
Inclusivity in our community and a sense of belonging for all
Compassion for others and the environment around us
A vision for peace through social change
“The teachers at Oak Hill care so much about each and every child individually and as a group, helping them find their path and take ownership of their own education. My children fully enjoy their learning exploration through their reports to their peers, in their self-expressive hands on art in the classroom and the art room and in their musical endeavors in the choir and band. There is no other place I would rather have my kids learning. We are so lucky to have Oak Hill for our kids' school.”
-Oak Hill Montessori Community Parent
What is a charter school?
Charter schools in Minnesota are public, tuition-free, and open to all. They operate independently under a charter—a performance contract—with an authorizing organization (an authorizer) that holds them accountable for academic and operational excellence. Oak Hill Montessori Community School is proud to be authorized by MOCHa (Minnesota Office of Charter Authorizing). MOCHa helps ensure that our school stays aligned with authentic Montessori principles while meeting the rigorous standards of public education.