Upper Elementary
(Grades 4-6)

Home 9 Programs 9 Upper Elementary (Grades 4-6)

Here, students stretch their curiosity, tackle big ideas, and discover their emerging place in a wider community.

The Upper Elementary program at Sterling Montessori builds upon the foundation laid in the Lower Elementary years. Students ages 9–12 enter a stage of growing moral awareness, reasoning, and abstract thought. They seek a deeper understanding of the world and their role within it.

Teachers act as guides and mentors, helping students apply critical thinking skills, take ownership of their learning, and engage in collaborative problem-solving. Lessons often evolve into larger research projects, community engagement, and creative expression.

Fast Facts

Grades 4-6 combined in a mixed-age classroom

Typical Daily Schedule
8:45 am – 3:45 pm

Focus on independence, collaboration, and critical thinking

Curriculum

Following Montessori’s Cosmic Education model, all subjects are presented as interrelated and purposeful. The curriculum includes:

Language Arts: Writing workshops, literature analysis, grammar study, and public speaking
Mathematics: Advanced operations, fractions, decimals, geometry, and pre-algebra concepts using Montessori materials
Cultural Studies: In-depth studies of history, geography, and world civilizations
Science: Life, physical, and earth sciences through exploration and experimentation
Health Sciences: Human anatomy, wellness, nutrition, and digital citizenship (aligned with NC Standards and the Wonder Years Puberty Curriculum)
Practical Life: Project management, leadership, and community service
Peace Education: Positive discipline, restorative justice, and social-emotional growth

See the Entire Curriculum (PDF)

Second Plane of Development

The Upper Elementary classroom supports the needs of children in the latter stage of the second plane of development (ages 9–12), characterized by:

Developing moral reasoning and emerging leadership
A transition from concrete to abstract thinking
A desire for meaningful work and purposeful contribution
Strengthened collaboration, independence, and self-direction
Expanding imagination applied to understanding complex ideas and systems

Students in this stage are refining their sense of identity, deepening their social awareness, and building the analytical and interpersonal skills that prepare them for adolescence.

black and white image of Maria Montessori

Learn More About Montessori

Explore the principles behind the Montessori method and what they look like in our classrooms. Gain a clearer understanding of how this approach supports children at every stage.

The Montessori Method

The Sterling Difference

Key Characteristics

Grades 4–6 mixed-age classrooms
28–30 students per class
One MACTE-accredited Montessori Lead Teacher and one Assistant
Integrated curriculum meeting NC Standards
Hands-on, inquiry-based learning
Focus on independence, collaboration, and critical thinking
Specials: Art, Music, and Physical Education
Spanish instruction for all grades 3–6

Typical Daily Schedule

8:45–11:30 a.m. — Morning Work Cycle 
11:30–12:30 p.m. — Lunch/Recess 
12:30–3:45 p.m. — Specials / Afternoon Work Cycle 

Health & Wellness Program

Upper Elementary students explore the human body systems through scientific study and discussion. The Wonder Years Puberty Curriculum aligns with NC Health Standards, helping students learn about: