Montessori Preschool & Elementary in Poway, CA
Grades 4–5 · Montessori Upper Elementary
Montessori Elementary School in Poway - Grades 4–5
Advanced academics, real research and student leadership for grades 4–5, with strong preparation for middle school.
Prefer to talk first? Call (858) 673-1756
- Grades 4–5
- 1:10 teacher–student ratio
- Care 7:30–6:00
- WASC accredited
Grades 4–5 at a glance
- Grades
- 4th and 5th grade
- Classroom
- Multi-age, two-year cycle
- Class
- Owls
- Ratio
- 1 teacher for every 10 students
- Teachers
- Credentialed Montessori teachers
- Leadership
- Daily community meetings run by students
- School day
- 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
- Extra care
- Before- and after-school child care, 7:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
- Enrichment
- Spanish, music, art, P.E. and digital literacy
- Service
- Regular visits to Poway Gardens Senior Living, and caring for Monte Vista Road
- Field trips
- Such as the USS Midway, Mission San Juan Capistrano and Old Town
- Location
- Northwest Poway, an easy commute from Rancho Bernardo (RB), Rancho Peñasquitos (PQ), Scripps Ranch, 4S Ranch and Escondido
- School type
- Private, nonprofit Montessori school, WASC accredited
The capstone of Montessori Elementary
What students learn in grades 4–5
Students take on leadership in the classroom community, strengthen their skills through research and collaborative work, and learn to manage their own time and learning.
Mathematics
Multi-digit operations, place value, factors and multiples, advanced fractions and decimals, ratios, percentages, integers, probability and statistics, graphing and a pre-algebra sequence with variables.
Geometry
Angles, triangles and quadrilaterals, congruence and similarity, perimeter and area, the Pythagorean theorem, the circle’s area and circumference, and the concept of volume.
Language and literature
Literature circles and novel studies, essays and non-fiction writing (including autobiography) with editing and revision, poetry, figurative language, spelling and cursive.
Grammar and current events
Advanced study of every part of speech, sentence analysis and style, plus regular current events discussions.
History
The story of humanity and human evolution, California history, then U.S. history from early peoples, exploration and colonization through westward expansion.
Science
Simple machines, magnetism and electricity, ecosystems and food chains, cells, body systems, health and nutrition, weather, the water, carbon and nitrogen cycles, and matter and the periodic table.
Geography and measurement
Advanced mapping skills, plus imperial and metric measurement of length, weight, capacity, temperature and time.
Practical life
Research and computer skills, cooking, animal care, planning special events and running community meetings.
Personal growth
Time management, setting and prioritizing goals, public speaking, teamwork, giving and receiving feedback, and being assertive without being aggressive.
Highlights, year by year
A sampling of what students explore in each year. Every child moves at their own pace.
Fourth grade
- Place value, rounding and averaging
- Factors, multiples and decimals
- Squares, cubes and the concept of variables
- The seven “triangles of reality” and quadrilaterals
- Expository writing and literature circles
- California history and human evolution
- Simple machines, magnetism and electricity
- Ecosystems, food chains and cells
Fifth grade
- Ratios, percentages and probability
- Integers and the pre-algebra sequence
- Mean, median, mode and range
- The Pythagorean theorem and the circle
- Essays, autobiography and poetry
- U.S. history, 1620–1900
- Body systems and the periodic table
- Weather and metric measurement
A typical day in grades 4–5
Arrival and animal care
Students care for classroom pets and set daily goals in their planners.
Student-run community meeting
Announcements, discussion and class business, led by the students.
Morning work period
An extended great work period for lessons, individual work, research and projects.
Lunch and recess
Shared outdoor lunch and free play for balance and connection.
Afternoon enrichment
Rotating classes in Spanish, music, art, P.E. and digital literacy.
Dismissal and after-school care
Students finish classroom responsibilities before dismissal, with optional care until 6:00 p.m.
Leadership and service
Running the classroom
Students plan and lead daily community meetings, care for classroom animals and take responsibility for their belongings, behavior and shared space.
Poway Gardens Senior Living
Regular visits build inter-generational friendships between our students and local seniors.
Caring for our community
Students help keep Monte Vista Road clean in front of our school and take part in community service projects.
Role models for younger students
As the oldest students on campus, Owls practice being role models for the whole school community.
Enrichment every week
Spanish
Conversational skills and cultural awareness.
Music
Rhythm, singing and percussion, with performances such as the annual Spring Fling.
Art
Advanced projects in painting, sculpture and mixed media.
Physical education
Fitness, teamwork and healthy competition through games and sports.
Digital literacy
Typing, safe and responsible internet use, research methods and digital citizenship.
30-second look
Step inside our Elementary classrooms
Ready for what comes next
What CMS families say
“Our older children thrived after CMS – one is at MIT and another is succeeding at Francis Parker. The foundation at CMS is truly special.”
“Not only is he excelling academically and socially, he has learned to be independent. Most important, he loves to learn.”
“My older child is now in a public high school in the Poway district and his experiences at CMS not only prepared him academically but socially as well.”
Partnering with families
Regular conferences, reports and family events help us support each student as they prepare for middle school.
Ready for middle school
CMS graduates move on with a strong academic foundation and real strengths in independence, organization and leadership.
Grades 4–5 questions
What grades are included in Upper Elementary?
Grades 4 and 5 learn together in one multi-age classroom, the Owls.
What is the teacher–student ratio?
Elementary classrooms have a 1:10 teacher–student ratio.
What are the school hours?
The Elementary day runs 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Before- and after-school care is available from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
How are academics different from grades 1–3?
Grades 4–5 emphasize advanced lessons, independent research projects and time management skills that prepare students for middle school.
How do students develop leadership skills?
Students run daily community meetings, take responsibility for classroom care and take part in community service, including visits to Poway Gardens Senior Living.
How do CMS students transition to middle school?
CMS graduates transition smoothly with a strong academic foundation and strengths in independence, organization and leadership.
What enrichment classes are included?
Spanish, music, art, P.E. and digital literacy are part of the weekly schedule.
What field trips do students in grades 4–5 take?
Trips may include the USS Midway, Mission San Juan Capistrano, Old Town, science labs and service projects at Poway Gardens Senior Living.
Is Country Montessori a private school?
Yes. CMS is a private, nonprofit Montessori school in Poway, serving children from age 2½ through 5th grade since 1989. We are WASC accredited and a full member of the American Montessori Society, with a 1:10 teacher–student ratio in Elementary.
How much is Elementary tuition?
Current tuition is listed on our Tuition & Fees page.
Can I bring my child on the tour?
Yes, children are welcome on tours. Book a tour online or call (858) 673-1756.
See how Montessori prepares students for middle school
Tour our 4th and 5th grade classroom to see research projects, collaborative work and student leadership in action.
12642 Monte Vista Rd, Poway · (858) 673-1756
Our other programs
Ages 2½–5
Preschool & Kindergarten
Our preschool and kindergarten program builds independence, focus and confidence through hands-on work.
Explore preschool & kindergarten →
Lower Elementary
Grades 1–3
Long work periods, small-group lessons, plus Spanish, music, art and P.E.
Explore grades 1–3 →
Ages 2½ through 5th grade
Summer Camp
Weekly themes such as sports, science, adventure and creativity, led by experienced CMS educators.
Explore summer camp →