Ruffing’s program is based upon Montessori’s pedagogy, a foundation of experience and knowledge that transfers from one level to the next as the student advances. It is a time continuum of learning wherein children move with ease and purpose from one program to another.

All levels are multi-aged, covering a span of approximately three years. This fundamental concept is a key component of Montessori education and provides students with an open-ended view of learning, modeling and leadership. In a multi-age classroom, children have the experience of sharing with peers in group activities, but also enjoying the mentoring role of helping younger children.

Dr. Montessori saw the seriousness of purpose in every child who, once exposed to learning about the world around her/him, reaches out for more. Following this line of thought, Montessori allows freedom of choice, enabling a child to pursue activities that appeal to him or her. In the Children’s House, for example, this may be a fundamental task such as aligning rods of different lengths. Such a challenge is a child’s “work,” with each task adding to a foundation for math and visual discrimination competence. Using every sense as a means of learning, Montessori teaches by breaking concepts into incremental pieces, giving the child a sense of accomplishment at every step in the learning process.

Our Programs

The Children's House program serves 3, 4 and 5 year-old children in vibrant, multi-age classroom communities.

For first, second and third grade children, our Lower Elementary provides an interdisciplinary curriculum focusing on math, language, science, the arts, cultural and social studies.

In Upper Elementary, our fourth, fifth and sixth grade students begin to build proficiency in expressing their thoughts in speech, writing and research, while continuing to develop their skills in math, science and cultural studies.

Our Middle School provides a strong academic foundation in literature, history, science, mathematics, humanities, foreign language, music and art through individual and small-group instruction.