WHY DO SO MANY FAMILIES CHOOSE MONTESSORI?
BEYOND ACADEMICS, WE EMPHASIZE "WHOLE CHILD" DEVELOPMENT
We honor the individuality of each child and guide him or her to focus on exploring unique interests. Each child's independence and empathy grows as he or she becomes a valued member of the school community. Your child will practice collaboration and critical thinking, establishing self-confidence with an intrinsic desire to learn more.
...BUT THE ACADEMICS ARE A HUGE STRENGTH
It is common to a find four-year-olds reading (in English and in Spanish) , six-year-olds practicing multiplication, and nine-year-olds writing comparative descriptions of ecosystems. Our curriculum presents skills during each child's "sensitive period" for learning and then allows hime or her to work at their own pace.
... AND WE'RE A COMMUNITY
Each classroom is a community which extends throughout and beyond the school. We invite parents and community partners into our network of collaboration to support the children. We view our relationship with you as a partnership, working together for the benefit of your child. Because children thrive when home and school work in harmony.
Castle Island has given our son a healthy space to grow socially and
to learn to work within a community that is diverse in all regards.
Emily, Parent, 7 Year Old
Albany NY
OUR PROGRAMS
We offer programs for children from 18 months to 6th grade.
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TODDLER
18 - 36 Months
EARLY CHILDHOOD
3 - 6 Years
ELEMENTARY
Grades 1 - 6
AFTER CARE
3 - 12 Years
SUMMER CAMP
3 - 12 Years
3 EASY STEPS TO ENROLL
Income-based Sliding-Scale Scholarships
1. SCHEDULE A TOUR
2. REGISTER TO APPLY
3. JOIN THE COMMUNITY!
MEET OUR STAFF
Passionate Educators
LETY ARROYO
Lead Early Childhood Guide
Lety holds an AMS (American Montessori Society) Early Childhood Teaching Credential (2017), West Side Montessori School - Teacher Education Program, Manhattan. She is an energetic and fun-loving person and is proud to be a link between the child and the learning environment. She enjoys her role as an observer of each child's individual interests.
MARIA ARROYO
Lead Early Childhood Guide
Maria holds a PAMS (Pan-American Montessori Society) Early Childhood Montessori Teaching Credential from the Learning Collaborative, formally Kennesaw State University, Georgia in 2016.
She began her career as a speech therapist with a Bachelor's Degree from Santa Paula University, loves working with children of all ages. She first started working with children when during her college years as a preschool assistant when Maria fell in love with
the Montessori methodology.
CYNTHIA CHESBRO
Lead Elementary Guide
Cynthia holds a Bachelor's Degree in Human Development
from SUNY Albany and is excited to be starting her elementary Montessori training at the Center for Guided Montessori Studies this academic year. She has worked with children in schools, childcare centers, and private homes for over 10 years. She also has experience living and teaching abroad both in Honduras and Spain, where she taught English and actively worked to improved her Spanish language proficiency. Cynthia grew up in the Albany area, and is looking forward to taking part in the
community here once again.
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DIANE M NICKERSON
School Director
Diane holds a BA in Anthropology and Elementary Education from Hobart and William Smith Colleges (1995) and a MS in Educational Administration and Policy Studies from UAlbany (2003). She found Montessori in her search for an optimal Early Childhood program for her four sons and completed Montessori School Administration for an AMS (American Montessori Society) Credential (2013), from the Center for Montessori Education | NY. She knows that the kind of environment adults provide for children matters. Having researched best practices for pedagogy, she found that the Montessori method provides the best comprehensive approach to acquire languages and to foster children's development toward their potential and joy.