Spark Studio

Like Maria Montessori, we believe even the youngest children have important work to do, even if the work is imaginary play or working together with wood scraps, ladders, and old tires to build a castle.

The Spark Studio is best imagined as a garden where young learners (usually ages 5-7) embrace Montessori work and Spark Play to learn real-life skills and develop the independence, focus, and kindness needed to learn to love learning and enter the Elementary Studio — each prepared to discover a calling that will change the world.

We take the original principles of Montessori even further by making the top priority of a Spark Guide to equip Spark and older learners (Sheepdogs) to take over studio leadership tasks from adults as soon as possible by offering examples, a rubric, and a recipe for each skill — mirroring the Montessori method of a Guide showing a lesson so the child can do it alone.

LEARNING in Spark

HANDS-ON PROJECTS

Learners explore STEM, art, and the world through multi-sensory experiences, engaging their hands and minds through fun challenges.

GOALS AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Learners develop executive functioning skills like time management, coping skills, conflict resolutions, and how to set and achieve their goals, as well as holding each other accountable to reach their goals.

PRACTICAL LIFE

Learners engage in real-world challenges and real-life experiences. They also learn how to handle all kinds of materials, from ceramics and glue to glass and cleaning supplies.

LEARNING TO READ, TO WRITE, AND DO MATH

Heroes develop the basic skills to become lifelong and independent learners.

Joy + Curiosity = Lifelong Learner

Our goal is for those who enter Spark to become lifelong learners. To do that, they must learn to love learning, which means it has to be fun and engaging. The Spark Studio is the gateway to your child starting their Hero’s Journey.