Our Mission:
Guiding your child to make
their own discoveries
Small home-based Classical Montessori school with an emphasis on Math
Sequoia Montessori School is a home-based microschool in Palo Alto for children ages 5-12. Our small, peaceful environment provides quiet, smooth work periods, ample opportunities for individualized learning and one-to-one interaction between each child and the guide, strong relationships with the children and their families.
A typical day at our school consists of two uninterrupted work periods, each followed by recess. During the first period, the children work with authentic Montessori materials, solve math problems, and take lessons in language arts, science, and history. After lunch and the first recess, the second work period consists of personal reading time followed by Book, Math, History, or Athletics Club, depending on the day of the week. All children participate in the clubs and are divided into two age groups. We also host a Drama Club, open to all children, and stage performances a few times a year. Finally, Math Kangaroo and Chess clubs are offered as part of the after-school program.
As long as the weather permits, we spend recess time outside at the community park just around the corner, engaging in physical activities and playing sports. This helps our children maintain a high level of energy and achieve deep focus during the following work periods. On Fridays, we visit the Mitchell Park public library, which is conveniently located within walking distance from the school, and take educational field trips to Bay Area parks, farms, and museums on a monthly basis.
Authentic Montessori education
We believe that freedom of learning is crucial to developing critical thinking. Our school offers individualized education that allows children to pursue their interests while building strong academic skills. We provide authentic Montessori hands-on materials and an environment carefully prepared to encourage children to learn independently or in small groups at their own pace. This fosters motivation and enthusiasm for learning.
Advanced Math and Science
In our school, children learn to appreciate the beauty and enjoyment of mathematics and scientific exploration. The authentic Montessori math materials, which we use extensively, are created to encourage the discovery of patterns, hands-on exploration of concepts, and a foundational understanding of the mathematical world around them. To enrich the approach even more, we use advanced math materials from Beast Academy, which add a strong academic component to the curriculum. Children work at their own level, and those who are ready are encouraged to progress beyond their age-level program into more advanced studies.
Mixed-age classroom
Learning in a mixed-age classroom environment strengthens children's academic, collaboration, and communication skills. Older students often mentor younger classmates, which gives them the opportunity to reinforce their own knowledge and skills through teaching. Younger students, in turn, are motivated by their interactions with more advanced peers and inspired to work hard to reach a similar level of understanding. These interactions naturally build collaboration skills, while children still have opportunities to engage and compete with peers their own age. Together, these interactions create a rich and engaging learning environment for children of all ages.