sunrise montessori academy of independence
Sunrise will be family owned and operated by long time educators from the Independence community. Stephen Ward, just retiring from over thirty years with the Independence School district, and his daughter Lori Smart, a certified Montessori teacher and early education teacher with 16 years of experience.
It has been our passion to bring Montessori early education to Independence as we truly believe that this will impact the children of our community and instill a lifetime love of learning and care of community within each of them. We are thrilled to finally offer this unique, individualized form of education so that we can meet the needs of the children within our hometown community.
The school is conveniently located a few minutes from 291 Highway and I-70 near a major intersection at 16716 E. US 40 Highway so that busy working parents can easily access the school.
programs
Academic Day refers to the period of day that a child is attending class, from 8:30am to 3:30pm. During this time each child will be presented with opportunities for individual lessons and group activities by a certified Montessori teacher. Lunch and two healthy snacks will be served during the academic day. The academic day includes a 30 minute grace period prior to 8:30am for drop off and 30 minutes grace period after 3:30 for pick up.
Academic Half Day is the same academic day, but scheduled from 8:30am to 12:30 pm. Morning snack would be provided only and student would be picked up just before lunch. There is a 30 minute grace period prior to 8:30 for drop off.
Before Care will be provided from 7:00am to 8:30am. It is during this time that children will receive care and choose some Montessori work or non-Montessori activities.
After Care will be provided after 3:30pm until 6:00pm. During this time children will have some free time to choose Montessori and non-Montessori activities as well as some time to explore the outdoors.
class schedule
| 7:00am | School opens
Morning Care begins
Students choose Montessori or non-Montessori activities |
| 8:30am | Academic Day begins
Class begins
Morning Line time |
| 9:00am | Montessori work time
Individual lessons |
| 12:00pm | Outdoor time |
| 12:30pm | Lunch |
| 1:00pm | Rest time |
| 1:45pm | Pre-Kindergarteners class begins
Montessori work time
Individual lessons |
| 2:30pm | Snack begins
Montessori work time continues |
| 3:30pm | Academic Day ends
After Care begins |
| 4:00pm | Outdoor play time |
| 4:45pm | Line time/Group activity |
| 5:00pm | After Care ends
Extended Care begins
Montessori work time/Free play |
| 5:45pm | Clean up time
Prepare to go home |
| 6:00pm | Extended Care ends |
meals and snacks
Healthy fresh food will be our commitment at Sunrise Montessori Academy of Independence. It is proven that children's lives are directly affected by the foods they eat. We believe that through the nourishment of fresh, healthy food, children's body's will perform at their very best, keeping them healthy and helping them to grow and learn. We will provide foods that are low in fat, contain no trans fats, and promise to avoid as many unnatural ingredients as possible. Our promise, we won't feed your children anything we don't feed our own children, and that's a promise. We will educate the children to healthy eating practices and the needs of their bodies and encourage them to try fresh fruits and vegetables as much as possible!
the staff
Sunrise Montessori Academy offers over 45 years of combined experience in education.
lori smart
owner/director
lori.smart@thesunrisemontessori.com
As a Montessori teacher and mother of young children, it became my mission to bring Montessori education to my hometown, Independence, MO. Over the past 16 years working in early education, 12 have been dedicated to Montessori education. I believe with a passion that every child should have the educational opportunity that Montessori provides. They deserve the respect as an individual with needs that differ from that of the next child and should be accepted as who they are, and directed towards who they are destined to become. I am an A.M.S. Certified Montessori teacher who grew up here in Independence and chose to raise my family here as well. I am married with two boys, Jeffrey, 8 years old and Dalton, 3 years old. My husband and I both graduated from William Chrisman High School and have parents and siblings right here in this community as well. Independence is still a great city, and I believe that the work that we do, the impact we have on these children will make a difference for the future of our community. It is what will instill in the children of today, that will become the decisive factor in what tomorrow will bring. Thus, our chosen name, Sunrise Montessori Academy of Independence...bright beginnings every day. Let's work together to make tomorrow a little brighter for everyone!
stephen j. ward
owner/assistant director
stephenj.ward@thesunrisemontessori.com
After moving to Independence in 1975 and beginning to raise my children, I went to work with the Independence School District. I spent the last 31 years at Procter Elementary School here in Independence where I made myself at home. I developed friendships with many families over the years several of which I had the privilege of working with their children, then their children's children and even their children! Generations of students coming and going through those doors, all of them impacting many years of my life. I became very involved with the school as even two of my own children grew up within Procter during my time there. I was a dedicated employee, PTA member, and showed support by volunteering my time to countless school activities over the years. I truly believe that children are what matter towards tomorrow, and I live my life to help mold the future by helping each child know his/her value by showing my support. As my daughter became involved with Montessori education I realized that the principles she learned were very similar to what I already believed. Over the years, through many conversations and after studying Montessori education, I realized the significance this philosophy could have on the children within my own community and the two of us began to plan the possibility of a Montessori school. Throughout the course of the last several years we have envisioned this dream, which has finally come to pass. I believe that our small school, with a family-like atmosphere, will provide an unsurpassed opportunity for early education, that you won't find anywhere else.
|
|
