Autumn Hill Academy

Teaching Philosophy

Autumn Hill Academy's well-balanced curriculum will ensure that your child will receive the best possible opportunities for individual growth. At Autumn Hill Academy, we have adopted two European pedagogies that are recognized as leaders in early childhood education – the Montessori Method and the Reggio Emila Project Approach . As a result, Autumn Hill has developed a unique, well-balanced curriculum that values both art and academic subjects equally. Montessori's philosophy states that children, working at their own pace, are internally motivated to learn. They develop concentration and perseverance as they absorb complex skills through active involvement with concrete materials. At Autumn Hill, we advocate this philosophy. Using a variety of concrete materials, students absorb high levels of academic skills in Language Arts and Mathematics. Children gain an excellent foundation and become confident, independent learners. "The mind is engaged through the hands." …Marie Montessori The Reggio Emilia Project Approach also highlights that children are naturally inquisitive and eager to learn. Project work involves students working in small groups, brainstorming and designing projects that are personally meaningful. Teachers challenge students to use their higher-order thinking skills by planning projects that are large and complicated. During this process, children represent their knowledge through different modes of expression: words, drawing, painting, movement, sculpture, drama, music and more. Projects require students to think, debate different opinions and look at the world from new perspectives. Project work challenges students both intellectually, socially and emotionally.