Montessori Preschool & Elementary in Poway, CA
Programs · Ages 2½ through 5th grade
Montessori Programs from Preschool to 5th Grade
Each stage at CMS builds on the one before, from the independence of Early Childhood to the leadership of Upper Elementary, all on one Poway campus.
Prefer to talk first? Call (858) 673-1756
- WASC accredited
- Full member of AMS
- Care 7:30–6:00
- Serving Poway since 1989
Find the right program for your child
Choose a program to see the classrooms, curriculum, daily schedule and parent questions.
Ages 2½–6
Preschool, Pre-K & Kindergarten
A warm Early Childhood classroom where children build independence, focus and confidence through hands-on work.
Explore Early Childhood →
Grades 1–3
Lower Elementary
Long work periods, small-group lessons, plus Spanish, music, art and P.E.
Explore Lower Elementary →
Grades 4–5
Upper Elementary
Leadership, research projects and advanced academics that prepare students for middle school.
Explore Upper Elementary →
Preschool–5th grade
Summer Camp
Seven weeks of themed camps with hands-on activities, creativity and outdoor fun.
See a sample schedule →Programs at a glance
| Program | Ages | Teacher ratio | School day | Enrichment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood | 2½–6 (preschool, pre-K and kindergarten) | 1 teacher per 12 children | 8:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. | Spanish and music; kindergarten adds art and P.E. |
| Lower Elementary | Grades 1–3 | 1 teacher per 10 students | 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. | Spanish, music, art, P.E. and digital literacy |
| Upper Elementary | Grades 4–5 | 1 teacher per 10 students | 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. | Spanish, music, art, P.E. and digital literacy |
All programs offer before- and after-school care from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Every class is led by credentialed Montessori teachers.
The Montessori difference
Why Montessori education works
Children work with hands-on materials at their own pace, building real understanding instead of memorization, in multi-age classrooms where they observe, lead and collaborate.
Child-led learning
Students choose purposeful work, which builds motivation and confidence.
Multi-age classrooms
Older students model leadership while younger students gain support and inspiration.
Whole-child approach
Academic skills grow alongside social, emotional and practical life skills.
One path, preschool to 5th
Families can stay from age 2½ through 5th grade in a consistent, nurturing and rigorous program.
30-second tour
See Country Montessori in action
Program questions
What ages does Country Montessori serve?
Children can start at age 2½ in Early Childhood and continue through 5th grade. Early Childhood covers the preschool, pre-K and kindergarten years, Lower Elementary covers grades 1–3, and Upper Elementary covers grades 4–5.
What are the school hours?
The Early Childhood school day runs 8:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., and Elementary runs 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Before- and after-school care is available for all programs from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Do you offer kindergarten?
Yes. Kindergarten is part of our Early Childhood program, a multi-age, three-year classroom for ages 2½ to 6. Considering public TK for your 4-year-old? See how Montessori pre-K and TK compare.
How small are the classes?
Early Childhood has 1 teacher for every 12 children. Lower and Upper Elementary have 1 teacher for every 10 students.
Do you offer summer camp?
Yes. We offer seven weeks of themed summer camps for preschool through 5th grade, with hands-on activities, creativity and outdoor fun.
See our classrooms in person
Tour during the school day to watch children at work and find the right program for your family.
12642 Monte Vista Rd, Poway · (858) 673-1756