Junior High
Grades 7 & 8
Junior High: Level Overview
Grades 7 & 8
As the culmination of the Oak Hill experience, the Junior High program introduces new styles of learning to students which many have not experienced in prior Montessori classrooms. The classroom is team-taught, and the curriculum is experiential and interdisciplinary, all the while being student-centered. Learning out of textbooks is balanced by learning through the hands and the body. Junior High is where the lessons truly delve more into the abstract, all the while granting students the freedom to utilize materials from memory or the imagination to support and enhance the learning experience. Our Junior High program positions our students for success in the next steps in her/his educational journey.
Purpose and Goal
The seventh and eighth grade years are critical for both the intellectual and emotional development of young women and men. The intentional structure of the students being in the same classroom with the same teachers all day creates mutual trust and a collegial nature which is rarely found during this age range. Every day in the Junior High challenges the head, hands and heart to help each student reach his/her highest potential.
Classroom Structure
To an outside eye, Junior High looks a lot more like “traditional school” than the rest of the classrooms at Oak Hill. Textbooks are utilized to support pedagogy, and the students have a larger quantity of assignments to turn in as homework than any other level; however, the freedom of work choice is seamlessly integrated into the curriculum as well. Junior High students encounter math seminars, humanities simulations and opportunities to express themselves through spoken word performances and film festivals. Art and Music are delivered at a level where students graduating our programs will be prepared to continue their artistic endeavors if they choose to do so.
Alumni often reference back to the freedom they experienced in Junior High as one of the most influential elements of their successful transfer into the High School level. Getting out of the classroom for day trips and long outings is a crucial portion of the Junior High experience as it builds leadership skills and strengthens the bonds of the community. Whether it is a trip to the science museum or going to Washington D.C., Oak Hill strongly believes that learning happens outside the classroom as much as it does in it.
Targeted Outcomes for students after completing the Junior High program
Comfort with constructive feedback leading new levels of creative, independent and critical thinking
Familiarity with the concepts of Algebra and Geometry streamlining the transition to High School mathematics
Personal knowledge of current events, government and civics leading to engaged and informed citizens
Excellent communication skills in the areas of writing, speaking and listening
Hands-on experience taking problems through the scientific method/using scientific experimentation
An understanding of the interconnected nature academic subjects share
Extensive skillsets in collaborative problem solving and group work dynamics
Refined time management, prioritization and research skills
OHMCS has adopted and implemented an Upper School Literacy Plan to assess and appropriately support all learners in achieving intended outcomes.
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
“We appreciate the care and guidance the teachers and staff provide to help our children not only academically but also socially and emotionally.”
-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.