Programs

Co-Curriculars

At West Side Montessori teachers value the development and growth of the whole child. We believe outdoor education, drama, music, art, physical education, and technology are critical to a child’s growth.
Experienced teachers provide engaging lessons to students, which contributes to a solid co-curricular program. West Side Montessori has chosen to offer a number of scheduled co-curriculars.

Children's House

Co-curricular programs begin in Children’s House and continue throughout middle school.

List of 3 items.

  • Music

    Children’s House students participate in weekly Music. The Music teacher goes to each Children’s House classroom once a week and leads Music and Movement Circle Time to the whole class for 30 minutes. In the whole group lesson, the class sings, dances, moves, and plays rhythm instruments.

    Kindergarten students also have an additional 45 minutes of music lessons once a week. All Kindergarten children from both campuses take part in Spring Sing, a much anticipated themed event where students perform songs for parents and friends.
  • Outdoor Education

    West Side’s Fisher Outdoor Education Program is designed to help students of all ages build their awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the natural environment that they are a part of.
    Outdoor education is a term that covers a wide range of experiential learning opportunities related to the environment. There are generally no physical walls for an outdoor education classroom, so the students spend almost all of their time outside.

    It is a movement with the intention of reestablishing the human connection to nature by building traits like creativity, resilience, and land stewardship. Moreover, children need room to practice skills like coordination and spatial awareness as they grow and build their sense of place.

    The great outdoors is a wonderful medium that can provide resources for them to do it all!

  • Physical Education

    Kindergarten children attend a  45-minute physical education class once a week. Students learn movement skills, how to follow directions, and respect for themselves and others through age-appropriate games and activities such as parachute games, exploring with scooters, hula hoop adventures, and animal walks.

    Locomotor skills such as skipping, hopping, galloping, walking backward and leaping are practiced. Hand-eye coordination activities are also practiced using scarves, balloons, bean bags and balls.

Lower Elementary

In the Lower Elementary program, the students participate in scheduled outdoor education, music, art, physical education, and technology classes once a week for 45 minutes each.

List of 4 items.

  • Art & Music

    The art program offers the opportunity for students to work with varied mediums. Two and three-dimensional work is explored as well as the study of art history.

    Each level meets as a whole in music once a week for 30 minutes for performance rehearsal time.

    Every year our Lower Elementary students participate in either an Orff Music Festival (based on the music methodology of German composer Carl Orff) or a Songfest performance for families and friends. The Orff Festival is a production incorporating speech, singing, movement, and instrumental playing in a creative environment. Songfest is child-centered production where singing English, Spanish and French songs and creative movement are celebrated.
  • Outdoor Education

    West Side’s Fisher Outdoor Education Program is designed to help students of all ages build their awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the natural environment that they are a part of.
    Outdoor education is a term that covers a wide range of experiential learning opportunities related to the environment. There are generally no physical walls for an outdoor education classroom, so the students spend almost all of their time outside.

    It is a movement with the intention of reestablishing the human connection to nature by building traits like creativity, resilience, and land stewardship. Moreover, children need room to practice skills like coordination and spatial awareness as they grow and build their sense of place.

    The great outdoors is a wonderful medium that can provide resources for them to do it all!
  • Physical Education

    The Toledo campus gymnasium is a state-of-the-art facility for physical education, team sports, and performances. Outdoor activities include practicing skills for games in volleyball, soccer, softball, hockey and basketball.
  • Technology

    The Lower Elementary students have Technology class for 45 minutes once a week. It is a practical life opportunity offered to enhance and support our strong Montessori curriculum.

    In Lower Elementary, student learning is focused on general vocabulary, basic computer function, typing lessons, introduction to Microsoft Office, LEGO Education, and a strong emphasis on Digital Citizenship. The Common Sense Media Curriculum is used to teach the students how to become strong Digital Citizens for levels first through eighth.

Upper Elementary

Upper Elementary students participate in outdoor education, music, art, technology, physical education and/or health twice a week for 45 minutes.

List of 4 items.

  • Art & Music

    In the Art Room, students have more opportunities to explore and create with art materials. There is an emphasis on painting, drawing, sculpture and pottery.

    Every other year the Upper Elementary showcases a music and art program for the parents. Each program is centered on a theme that the co-curricular teachers choose. The music teacher then works with the students to add choreography, where appropriate, allowing for a unique touch on the show. The students create their props, a simple set, and simple costumes in art class. In the end, the final product is much more interesting than what we purchased!

    Music Ensemble is a beginning group of students playing wind, percussion, mallet and keyboard instruments. 5th and 6th level students meet twice a week; once before school and once during the day. Ensemble is open to 4th level students beginning in the second half of the school year. The older students help mentor the younger members. An evening concert is performed in the spring to showcase their music.
  • Outdoor Education

    West Side’s Fisher Outdoor Education Program is designed to help students of all ages build their awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the natural environment that they are a part of.
    Outdoor education is a term that covers a wide range of experiential learning opportunities related to the environment. There are generally no physical walls for an outdoor education classroom, so the students spend almost all of their time outside.

    It is a movement with the intention of reestablishing the human connection to nature by building traits like creativity, resilience, and land stewardship. Moreover, children need room to practice skills like coordination and spatial awareness as they grow and build their sense of place.

    The great outdoors is a wonderful medium that can provide resources for them to do it all!
  • Physical Education

    In physical education, students gain an appreciation for sports and the unique skills needed. Volleyball, soccer, basketball, and flag football are a few examples of sports explored. Students also focus on learning games and dance during the winter.

    In health, students learn the importance of healthy eating and maintaining a healthy body image. They participate in a bully-free program with the assistance of our school counselor. Students also participate in a Human Growth and Development program once a year.
  • Technology

    The Upper Elementary Technology curriculum includes LEGO Education, researching skills, typing, introduction into Google Apps for Education, and Digital Citizenship. Students use laptops and iPads are used throughout the year to create and edit videos, and creatively present research. The technology lab is open throughout the week at various times for students to complete assignments and use the Internet.

Middle School

Middle School students attend outdoor education, music, art, and physical education or health classes twice a week for 45 minutes.

List of 4 items.

  • Art & Music

    Middle School students create, write, and choreograph an arts performance every other year. The middle school students study and present their research through the use of drama, music, and visual art. Students are involved in each step of the production. The spring performance is always a display of talent and teamwork!

    Middle School students have the opportunity to join band. Band is for more advanced players and includes wind, percussion, mallet and keyboard instruments. They meet twice a week; once before school and once during the day and perform at least two concerts a year.
  • Outdoor Education

    West Side’s Fisher Outdoor Education Program is designed to help students of all ages build their awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the natural environment that they are a part of.
    Outdoor education is a term that covers a wide range of experiential learning opportunities related to the environment. There are generally no physical walls for an outdoor education classroom, so the students spend almost all of their time outside.

    It is a movement with the intention of reestablishing the human connection to nature by building traits like creativity, resilience, and land stewardship. Moreover, children need room to practice skills like coordination and spatial awareness as they grow and build their sense of place.

    The great outdoors is a wonderful medium that can provide resources for them to do it all!
  • Physical Education

    In physical education class students gain an appreciation for many sports such as volleyball, soccer, archery, basketball, and lacrosse. Students also focus on learning games and dance during the winter.

    In health class, students focus on topics such as nutrition, positive self-image, and the dangers of tobacco, drugs, and alcohol. They also participate in a Human Growth and Development Program once a year lead by a local physician.
  • Technology

    Middle School students have Technology class once a week working on iPads, laptops, and other devices. The curriculum focuses on Digital Citizenship, proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, typing practice in Mavis Beacon, proficiency in Google Apps for Education, LEGO Robotics, and blogging.

    Each student is assigned an iPad that they use daily in their classroom. Students complete assignments and present information using a variety of technology devices. The students also have access to MacBooks in their classroom.
West Side Montessori is an independent, accredited Montessori school educating children 13 months through 8th grade (preschool, kindergarten, elementary school, and middle school). We are one of the leading private schools in Toledo and the nation.

WSM does not discriminate on the basis of ethnic origin, race, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability in the administration of its admission policy, educational policy, or any school-administered program.