Our School
The story of Rising Star Montessori
Rising Star Montessori School is a PreKindergarten to Kindergarten private school located in Alameda, California. For over 40 years we have provided a high quality educational program for children based on the philosophy and methods developed by Maria Montessori. In addition to our concern for the health and safety of the children, we emphasize a total education program. This program includes a thorough preparation in the basic academic skills, physical abilities, and extensive curriculum in the cultural subjects.
Our academic excellence thrives in a warm, nurturing environment that promotes the self-esteem of each individual child. We advocate global diversity by studying many cultures, embracing and respecting the people in our modern world. We practice this philosophy of “Education of Peace” in our professional and respectful manner with children, parents, and fellow staff.
History
Ann Rose Gavey and Marion T. Boyd founded Rising Star Montessori in the fall of 1982 upstairs in the First Baptist Church in Alameda. After several years of traveling, Marion moved back to her home state of Louisiana. Ann’s husband, Rex M. Higginbotham, joined as co-owner in February 1996.
The school grew from two classrooms, kindergarten through fourth grade, to four classrooms, kindergarten through sixth grade. In response to a need for a Montessori Preschool offering extended daycare, Our Children’s Cottage at 770 Santa Clara Avenue opened in the fall of 1984. Through the years, we accommodated students from preschool through eighth grade. For several years, the upper grades were at Our Children’s Cottage. The High Street Campus opened in September 1986.
We currently serve children from 2 years and 4 months through Kindergarten. We offer full day PreKindergarten, Transitional Kindergarten, and Kindergarten programs. Our students make successful transitions to local private, parochial, and public schools.
What Our Parents Say
Philosophy
Our philosophy is primarily based on the observations and writings of Dr. Maria Montessori, who was an educator, scientist, and the first woman physician in Italy. Starting in 1907, Dr. Montessori designed classroom materials and a distinct learning environment that fosters children’s natural inclination to learn. Today the Montessori approach is practiced in both private and public schools, preparing children to be the leaders and innovators of tomorrow.
The Montessori learning environment differs from traditional school environments in essential ways including:
– Mixed-age groupings that foster peer learning
– Uninterrupted blocks of work time
– Freedom within a structured learning environment
Our curriculum instructs children in language arts, math, the interrelated study of life and physical sciences, history, culture, geography, the arts, and practical life skills. In addition to primarily using the Montessori method and curriculum, we have integrated traditional public and private school curricula that has a track record of successfully preparing our children for their post Rising Star education. Our school also employs current research and theories in child development and educational methods.
Living our values in everything we do…
Peace
Diversity
We began the school with inclusion in mind. Since opening our doors in 1982, we have been very fortunate to have attracted a very diverse staff and student body. We celebrate the diversity of our staff, families and students through activities and cultural studies. Children learn about the many different cultural celebrations. The winter solstice, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Diwali, Christmas, Las Posadas, Santa Lucia, Lunar New Year and Cinco de Mayo. We encourage parents to come and present their cultural celebrations to the classes.
Community
At Rising Star, we value each child, family and staff member’s contributions in making our school a vibrant learning community. Each week children take turns between various responsibilities that contribute to the classroom; one week they might be the trash monitor or line leader, the next week they may be the class botanist or zoologist.