Lower & Upper Elementary
Our content-specific instructional model allows passengers to learn from multiple educators throughout the school day. This approach supports focused academic instruction, differentiated learning, targeted interventions, and opportunities for enrichment.
At Sankofa Montessori, we are committed to developing confident, capable, and independent learners who demonstrate our Core Values of Love, Joy, Ownership, Purpose, and Reflection.
Lower Elementary | Grades 1–3
Building Strong Foundations. Developing Independence.
Our Lower Elementary program strengthens foundational academic skills while helping passengers develop confidence, independence, and responsibility.
Through structured instruction, collaborative learning, and Montessori-inspired experiences, passengers build essential skills in reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social-emotional development.
Passengers receive instruction from content-specific educators who work collaboratively to meet individual learning needs. Instructional groupings, small-group lessons, and targeted interventions help ensure passengers receive the support and challenge necessary for academic growth.
As passengers progress through Lower Elementary, they develop reading fluency, comprehension, written expression, mathematical reasoning, and problem-solving skills.
In third grade, passengers begin participating in the Georgia Milestones Assessment System, demonstrating their mastery of Georgia’s academic standards in English Language Arts and Mathematics.
Our goal is to ensure passengers develop the academic foundation, independence, and confidence needed for continued success.
Upper Elementary | Grades 4–5
Deepening Knowledge. Strengthening Leadership. Preparing for What’s Next.
Our Upper Elementary program builds upon foundational skills by increasing academic rigor, independence, and responsibility.
Passengers engage in increasingly complex reading, writing, mathematics, and scientific investigations while developing critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and real-world problem-solving skills.
Through content-specific instruction, collaborative projects, targeted interventions, and Montessori-inspired learning experiences, passengers deepen their academic understanding and take greater ownership of their learning.
Fourth- and fifth-grade passengers participate in the Georgia Milestones Assessment System
in English Language Arts and Mathematics, with fifth-grade passengers also assessed in Science.
As passengers prepare for middle school, our program emphasizes organization, leadership, self-advocacy, accountability, and independent learning.
Our goal is to ensure every passenger leaves Sankofa Montessori academically prepared, confident, and equipped for success in middle school and beyond.
Main Subject Areas
At Sankofa Montessori, our Elementary curriculum reflects The Sankofa Bridge, our unique approach that combines the academic structure of traditional public education with the independence, hands-on exploration, and child-centered philosophy of Montessori education.
Our passengers receive focused instruction from content-specific educators who collaborate to meet individual learning needs. Through structured lessons, small-group instruction, hands-on experiences, and purposeful Montessori Work Cycles, passengers develop strong academic skills while building confidence, independence, and critical-thinking abilities.
English Language Arts (ELA)
Using Wonders, passengers strengthen foundational literacy skills, reading fluency, comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and written expression through structured, standards-aligned instruction.
In Lower Elementary (Grades 1–3), instruction emphasizes decoding, reading fluency, comprehension, sentence structure, and paragraph development. In Upper Elementary (Grades 4–5), passengers engage with increasingly complex texts, strengthen analytical reading skills, and develop organized, evidence-based writing.
Through direct instruction, guided practice, and small-group learning, passengers develop the literacy skills needed for academic success.
Mathematics
Through Open Up Resources, passengers develop mathematical understanding through explicit instruction, hands-on materials, problem-solving, and real-world applications.
Lower Elementary passengers build number sense, place value, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and foundational mathematical reasoning. Upper Elementary passengers deepen their understanding of fractions, decimals, geometry, measurement, and multi-step problem-solving.
Mathematical discussions, visual models, and differentiated instruction help passengers develop conceptual understanding and confidence in applying mathematical strategies.
Science
Using STEMscopes, passengers explore life science, physical science, and Earth and space science through inquiry-based instruction, experimentation, and hands-on investigations.
Lower Elementary passengers develop foundational scientific thinking through observation, questioning, and exploration. Upper Elementary passengers engage in more complex investigations, analyze information, and apply scientific reasoning to real-world problems.
Our Science curriculum encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and scientific literacy while preparing fifth-grade passengers for the Georgia Milestones Science Assessment.
Montessori Work Cycle
Our Montessori Work Cycle provides passengers with opportunities to develop independence, concentration, responsibility, and ownership of their learning.
Through purposeful, hands-on activities, collaborative projects, and independent exploration, passengers apply academic concepts, strengthen problem-solving skills, and develop confidence in their abilities.
As passengers progress through Elementary, they take greater responsibility for managing their work, making meaningful choices, and completing tasks independently.
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
Through Second Step, Montessori Grace and Courtesy lessons, and daily community-building experiences, passengers develop self-awareness, emotional regulation, empathy, positive relationships, and conflict-resolution skills.
Our five Core Values – Love, Joy, Ownership, Purpose, and Reflection—are embedded throughout the school day.
As passengers progress through Elementary, they strengthen their leadership skills, practice accountability, and develop greater responsibility for their choices and interactions with others.
Physical Education & Health
Our Physical Education and Health program promotes physical fitness, coordination, teamwork, sportsmanship, and healthy decision-making.
Passengers participate in structured movement activities, cooperative games, physical challenges, and age-appropriate health instruction designed to support physical development and overall wellness.
Through movement and teamwork, passengers strengthen communication, perseverance, confidence, and positive peer interactions.
Targeted Intervention & Enrichment
Recognizing that every passenger learns differently, our instructional team uses academic assessments, classroom performance, and ongoing progress monitoring to identify individual strengths and areas for growth.
Through small-group instruction, differentiated lessons, evidence-based reading and mathematics interventions, and enrichment opportunities, passengers receive additional support and academic challenges aligned with their learning needs.
Our goal is to close learning gaps, strengthen foundational skills, and provide opportunities for continued academic growth.
Georgia Milestones (GMAS) Preparation | Grades 3–5
Beginning in third grade, passengers participate in dedicated Georgia Milestones preparation designed to strengthen academic proficiency, critical thinking, and assessment confidence.
GMAS preparation reinforces Georgia’s academic standards in English Language Arts and Mathematics, with additional Science preparation in fifth grade.
Passengers engage in standards-aligned practice, reading comprehension activities, constructed responses, mathematical problem-solving, and assessment-style questions.
Through intentional instruction, ongoing progress monitoring, and targeted academic support, we prepare passengers to demonstrate mastery of grade-level standards and approach state assessments with confidence.
Sample Primary Daily Schedule
At Sankofa Montessori, our Elementary schedule reflects The Sankofa Bridge, combining structured academic instruction with Montessori-inspired learning experiences. Passengers receive focused instruction from content-specific educators while participating in targeted interventions, Georgia Milestones preparation, enrichment, and purposeful Work Cycles.
Time |
Daily Activity |
| 7:30–8:00 AM | Arrival & Breakfast |
| 8:00–8:20 AM | Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) & Morning Meeting |
| 8:25–9:15 AM | Physical Education & Health or Science Lab |
| 9:20–10:00 AM | Targeted Intervention or Georgia Milestones (GMAS) Preparation |
| 10:05–11:25 AM | Core Academic Instruction — Reading, Writing, or Mathematics |
| 11:30 AM–12:00 PM | Lunch |
| 12:05–12:30 PM | Recess |
| 12:35–1:55 PM | Core Academic Instruction — Reading, Writing, or Mathematics |
| 2:00–2:30 PM | Montessori Work Cycle |
| 2:30 PM | Dismissal |
Please note: This is a sample Elementary schedule. Instructional blocks, subject rotations, lunch and recess times, and enrichment activities may vary by grade level and classroom community. Passengers receive instruction from multiple content-specific educators throughout the school day. Georgia Milestones (GMAS) preparation is incorporated into the instructional schedule for passengers in Grades 3–5.
Enroll your child into the Elementary Montessori Program at Sankofa Montessori Today!
We are still accepting applications for SY 25-26 (July-May)
At Sankofa Montessori, we are here to empower every child to build a life of purpose.