Adolescent Program
Adolescence is a time of life that involves more change – physical, emotional and cognitive – than any other besides infancy. In addition to being a period of rapid growth, it is a time of great developmental variation. Like all students in what Maria Montessori termed “the Adolescent plane of development,” Mountainside’s 12 to 15 year olds are transitioning to the adult realm. Some students arrive in the Adolescent Program full-fledged teenagers, while others take more time to enter the first stages of puberty. Their bodies and minds are undergoing powerful changes and they are beginning to sort out and tackle grown-up roles, relationships and responsibilities. Though often unsure and untested, they are thirsty for intellectual stimulation, creative expression, independence and internal validation.
In order to nurture and support this sensitive period, we have designed our program around the needs, sensitivities and strengths of Adolescents. In doing so, we have given careful attention to balancing an early Adolescent’s need for activity and movement with the importance of developing attentiveness and concentration. Integrated into the academic areas, or treated as separate entities, our program emphasizes the following:
- The importance of growth as a moral human being
- A sense of membership in, and responsibility to, our community and the greater world
- A responsibility for one’s own education and behavior
- The importance of healthy physical, emotional and social growth
Our Program’s Goals:
- To create a safe, nurturing atmosphere that values respect and involvement
- To create a challenging academic program at all levels and competencies
- To inspire a love of learning
- To help students acquire the tools necessary to learn independently
- To instill in our students the belief that each and every one of them has something important to contribute to the world
THE FARM
The Mountainside Farm is an important component of the Adolescent program. As Adolescents seek to find their place in society and meaning in their work, the farm provides an overarching business model that illustrates the practical application of their lessons. Large, real, meaningful, physical work is also crucial at this stage of development. The farm provides a place for Adolescents to be fully engaged in the process of running a business, and allows much of their academic focus to take on new meaning and connection. The farm creates an ideal place for young Adolescents to realize their capabilities, develop their sense of self, and contribute valuable work to their community while raising money to support their own program. In addition to the farm, students also have the opportunity to engage in 4H Show & Sale.
THE ADOLESCENT ACADEMIC CURRICULUM INCLUDES:
Math
As students transition out of the Elementary grades, they have a growing capacity for abstract thinking and analysis. Thus, the Adolescent Program’s Algebra and Geometry curriculum combines more traditional instruction – including text books, lectures, and lab work with Montessori approaches such as manipulative materials, projects and seminars. The curriculum also follows an authentic Montessori approach in which math is not taught simply as an isolated discipline, but rather in the context of human history and culture. Classroom learning is integrated with the use of mathematics as part of the occupations, science and other disciplines. Students use math to help maintain the accounts for their student run businesses such as the store, livestock sales, lunch programs and in other practical situations.
Language
Language permeates the Adolescent Program as students read, write, spell, present, analyze, memorize, create, sing, teach, and explore the history of words. Because development of written and oral skills requires constant use and practice, students are given boundless opportunities to use language in its many forms, and to celebrate its beauty, power and mystery.
Adolescent students read age-appropriate literature of their choosing. Through seminars and discussion, students learn to analyze plot, literary structure, themes, character, writing styles and figurative language. In addition to reading classic novels, students delve into non-fiction, poetry, biographies, philosophy, newspapers, journals, scripts and the work of peers.
Written and oral skills are honed in a variety of ways. Students may direct their creativity to writing fiction, poetry, scripts or lyrics. Expository writing takes many forms, including composition of reports and essays, proposals, presentations, summaries and outlines and even business letters.
The intimate setting of the Adolescent farm allows for abundant practice of oral skills, as students have to present to potential buyers of their livestock, provide customer service in the student run store or simply converse with diners at the monthly community breakfasts.
Science
Life Science, Environmental Science, and Physical and Earth Science are taught in a three-year rotation. The science curriculum centers around the scientific method while using the local area and Mountainside farm to apply meaningful study and evidence. The curriculum provides a rigorous, integrated, and hands-on foundation in botany, biology, geology, zoology, chemistry and physics. The basis of students’ scientific exploration is the natural environments of the farm itself: the earth, soil, water, plant and animal life and the work students perform there on a daily basis. Students study and apply science using their surroundings as a natural laboratory. They enhance findings with course work, research through textbooks and other printed resources, traditional experimentation, and interviews with experts.
History
The Adolescent history curriculum is a three-year cycle taught in a Humanities format. The historical component of our humanities curriculum focuses on a study of American history during two years and world history in the third-year rotation. Classes include lectures, primary and secondary source reading, seminar discussions, research and formal writing assignments, off-site visits and guest speakers. The Socratic seminar is used to develop critical thinking skills in the analysis of thoughts, ideas and philosophies. Current events are discussed routinely and students constantly tackle topics regarding ethics and justice.
Spanish
Students are introduced to basic conversational Spanish as they enter the Adolescent program. Our native speaker teaches Spanish two times a week. Spanish includes studies organized around listening comprehension, reading comprehension, speaking, writing, singing, online resources and cultural aspects of Hispanic countries. After three years, it is our goal for students to have completed the Spanish I course level and be fully prepared to enter Spanish II as 10th graders.
Creative Expression
Creative expression is essential to Adolescent development as students explore and experiment with their emerging identities. At this age, the developing personality has a natural predisposition to creative expression in many forms. As such, Mountainside offers as many formal outlets as possible to the students. Students share their talents at “Coffeehouse Performances” with peers, parents and other members of the school community. Students also produce two theatrical performances during the school year. The Adolescent art program supports the students in their exploration of artistic expression. Using a variety of media students explore design, drawing, painting and sculpture. The focus on art appreciation with art history is interwoven into the academic curriculum.
Internships
A week-long career related internship is an important element of the Adolescent curriculum, as it is a way to explore the ideas of learning and leading, as well as the adult world of profession and work. It is a highly anticipated learning experience! The internship program offers an extremely valuable opportunity for our students to deepen their understanding of themselves, of others, and of what it takes to actually work. This opportunity allows the young Adolescent to see how involved and complex an adult’s job can be. The location is selected by the students based upon their personal interests.
Trips
The school year begins and ends with an Odyssey trip, which is a key component of the Montessori Adolescent program’s academic and social experience. The goal is to provide a rich educational experience for the students with a focus on learning and bonding. During the winter term, our 9th grade students plan their own international trip. Students are responsible for all aspects of raising money, planning, organizing, and navigating these trips. This is another example of the level at which students are involved in and responsible for their own education with the support and guidance of adults around them.