“To Educate the Human Potential”

“Empowering Imaginative Minds, Unleashing Infinite Potential”

At Discovery Montessori Academy, we are committed to nurturing the potential of every child, including those with special needs, gifted students, twice-exceptional learners, dyslexia, and those for whom English is a second or third language. Our objective is to create an inclusive and nurturing environment that embraces the diverse abilities of all students through a whole-child approach. We believe that every learner deserves tailored support that recognizes their unique strengths, weaknesses, challenges and needs. By fostering a culture of acceptance and understanding, we aim to empower each child to thrive academically, socially, emotionally, and linguistically.

Our holistic approach includes a bridging program specifically designed to address learning gaps and enhance skills to help students improve academically. This program, along with individualized learning plans, collaborative strategies, and community involvement, supports varied learning styles. We emphasize collaboration among educators, families, and specialists to ensure that all students receive the resources and encouragement they need to reach their fullest potential.

Individualized Education Plans (IEPs)

At the heart of our Inclusive Learning Support Program is the development of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) for students who require tailored support. These plans are crafted after careful observation and assessment of each child’s unique abilities and challenges. We utilize hands-on Montessori materials that align with each student's learning style. Collaborating with educators, specialists, and parents, we outline specific educational goals that address academic, social, and emotional needs. IEPs are dynamic documents, regularly reviewed and adjusted to reflect progress and changing needs. This personalized approach ensures that each student receives the targeted interventions necessary to thrive in the classroom.

Bridging Program

Our bridging program is specifically designed to help students who may be experiencing academic gaps. This initiative focuses on enhancing foundational skills in key areas such as literacy and numeracy, enabling students to catch up with their peers. Montessori Classrooms support a Push-in model. Through targeted push-in target group sessions and individualized instruction, students receive the support they need to build confidence and competence in their learning. The bridging program also incorporates hands-on activities that engage students and make learning enjoyable. By addressing these gaps early, we aim to foster a lifelong love of learning and empower every child to reach their full potential.

Support for Special Needs

Recognizing the varied needs of students with special needs, our program provides support for those with ADHD, hyperactivity, dyslexia, and twice-exceptional learners. We implement evidence-based strategies tailored to each child's unique profile, ensuring that they receive the appropriate accommodations and modifications in the classroom. This includes structured routines, sensory breaks, and multi-sensory teaching techniques. Additionally, we provide professional development for our staff to equip them with the skills necessary to support these learners effectively. By fostering an understanding and inclusive environment, we enable all students to engage meaningfully with their education.

Inclusion (push in & push out)

In line with Montessori principles, our program emphasizes inclusion through both push-in and push-out strategies. We foster collaboration among teachers, learning support teachers, and external professionals to create a comprehensive support network for students.

Push-in support involves learning support teachers working alongside classroom teachers to provide targeted assistance within the general education setting, ensuring that students receive individualized support while remaining integrated with their peers. Conversely, push-out services allow for specialized instruction in a separate setting when needed, providing focused interventions that address specific learning challenges.

Regular team meetings will ensure that all stakeholders are informed and actively involved in planning and implementing support strategies. This collaborative approach helps create a cohesive learning environment where every student can thrive, benefiting from the combined expertise of all educators and specialists. By working together, we aim to build a strong foundation for inclusive education that aligns with the values of the Montessori philosophy.

Gifted Learning and Talented Tenuousness Program

Our program addresses the unique needs of gifted students by providing enrichment opportunities that challenge their intellectual curiosity. In our IB-Montessori multi-age classrooms, students work at their individual academic levels, fostering a personalized learning experience. We offer differentiated instruction that enables gifted learners to explore advanced concepts and pursue independent projects aligned with their interests. By encouraging critical thinking and creativity, we empower these students to excel academically while developing their social and emotional skills. Regular assessments help identify their strengths and ensure they are consistently challenged.

 

At DMA, teachers focus on each child's strengths, recognizing that every student brings unique talents and curiosities to the classroom. Our role is to nurture these attributes while allowing students to reveal their potential as they become ready for new lessons. The multi-age setting enhances creativity, as younger students gain inspiration from older peers. This environment allows all children to learn at their own pace, leading to academic success tailored to each student’s readiness.

Montessori as an Intervention for Children with Dyslexia

Montessori education offers a unique intervention for children with dyslexia by implementing a systematic, multisensory, and sequential approach to reading instruction. Dyslexia, a language-based learning disability, often stems from deficits in phonological processing, making reading challenging. Montessori classrooms are well-equipped to address these needs through explicit instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, and encoding & decoding strategies, word recognition, fluency, and reading comprehension.

Montessori teachers and classrooms are naturally equipped to provide all of the instruction required to

effectively help students diagnosed with dyslexia.  In Montessori settings, children engage in activities that enhance phonemic awareness, such as storytelling, rhyming games, and sound games. The use of tools like the Moveable Alphabet aids in understanding English language structure, while materials like Grammar Boxes and Interpretive Reading Cards provide opportunities for syntax and vocabulary development.

 

The mixed-age environment allows dyslexic students to practice literacy skills frequently with direct teacher support, reducing stigma and fostering confidence.  Additionally, the emphasis on individual and small group instruction ensures that children receive the necessary remediation, promoting fluency and comprehension through repeated practice and multisensory experiences.

 

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

For students for whom English is an additional language, our program offers comprehensive support to facilitate language acquisition and integration into the classroom. We employ specialized EAL instruction that focuses on vocabulary development, conversational skills, reading and comprehension strategies. This instruction is embedded within the broader curriculum, allowing students to learn English in context. Additionally, we provide resources such as bilingual materials and peer support to enhance their learning experience. By fostering a welcoming environment that values linguistic diversity, we help EAL students build confidence and succeed academically.

 

Chinese as an Additional Language (CAL)

Our Chinese as an Additional Language (CAL) program at our school is designed to cater to the diverse linguistic needs of our students by offering tailored instruction for both native and non-native speakers. We offer a in-school developed structured Chinese Program to facilitate language acquisition and integration into the classroom.

In the native-Chinese stream, students engage in advanced language studies that enhance their literacy and cultural understanding. Meanwhile, the non-native stream focuses on building foundational skills in vocabulary, conversation, and comprehension. Additionally, our IB Montessori classroom provides a bilingual setting that promotes exposure to both Chinese and English, allowing students to develop their language skills in a rich, immersive environment. This dual-language approach not only fosters bilingualism but also cultivates an appreciation for cultural diversity, preparing our students for success in a globalized world.