We've Expanded Our Programs!
Now Accepting Applications:
Spring Semester 2025
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Toddler: 15-36 Months
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Early Childhood: 3-6 Years
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Elementary: 1st-6th Grades
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
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
CLAUDIA DILIBERTO
Lead Early Childhood Guide
Claudia holds a Bachelor's Degree in Law from USMP College in Peru. She has worked, as a volunteer, with children with special needs in schools and private homes for over 9 years.
Claudia enjoys developing personal relationships with students. In doing so, this helps her students build confidence in their own abilities. Her hopes are to guide them to reach their optimum potential and become lifelong learners.
She enjoys reading, playing soccer and teaching Spanish.
LUCY AVILES
Lead Early Childhood Guide
Lucy holds a NYS Teaching Assistant Certificate with more than six years of experience as a teachers assistant for bilingual, ENL and special education programs at North Elementary School in Brentwood, NY. She discovered her passion for working with children during her teen years and decided to study early childhood education, and in addition to working with elementary children, has also worked with SIFE students for over five years.
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.
MARIA ARROYO
Lead Toddler 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.