As one of the few programs in New York dedicated to honoring the full arc of childhood, our program fosters a creative, collaborative approach to academic excellence.
The Caedmon School was the first Montessori preschool established in New York City. Our preschool program is for children 20 months through 4.9 years old and combines the Montessori method of education with other early childhood developmental techniques to foster confidence, creativity, and independence. Our preschool is divided into two classrooms:
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Beginners is specifically designed to foster confidence, competence, and independence in first-time school children. Due to the small student-teacher ratio (4:1), teachers are able to provide all the special attention the children of this age need to achieve the goals of the class, and prepare for their subsequent move to the Early Program.
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Caedmon Early Program classrooms are mixed-age classrooms that provide an authentic Montessori experience for children three and four years-old. In order to provide individual attention, Early Program classes are small by design with a 7.5:1 student-teacher ratio.
During the two-year program, children of different ages are mixed together and remain in the same classroom for both years. Three-year-old children benefit from having older classmates to model, and the following year they are empowered and cement their learning by assisting their younger classmates. This instills in the children a sense of responsibility for each other, as well as for themselves and the classroom.
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Students in Kindergarten continue with elements of Montessori learning, in conjunction with a progressive elementary approach to education. In contrast to the Early Program, students in Kindergarten are the same age. The daily schedule in Kindergarten is divided between open-ended activities, and the directed group instruction that is typical from Kindergarten onward. The children learn to complete assigned tasks within a specific time frame, while enjoying the creative play and exploration that are such important parts of the natural learning process at this age. Our Kindergarten students are offered the following specialist classes: Spanish, Technology, Science. Library, Technology, Art, Violin, Music, P.E., Martial Arts and Swimming. Classroom teachers maintain close communication with the specialist teachers to ensure continuity and connections among the various classes.
First and Second Grades at Caedmon are combined in a mixed-aged program in which children spend two years in the same classroom with the same teacher. They develop their academic and social skills in an environment that is free from competition, rich in intellectual stimulation and academic challenges, and full of emotional support. The children work in small, flexible groups, which allows the teachers to adapt the program to the needs of each child and adjust the grouping as they progress. The children also work in homogeneous groups, benefiting from one another’s strengths and learning styles.
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In the Third and Fourth Grades, students are thinking about what they are learning in critical and creative ways. Their developing skills begin to have practical applications and the curriculum becomes increasingly integrated.
Third and Fourth Grade students engage in research using the library and digital resources, collaborate on extended projects in social studies and writing, and participate in structured literary discussions and debates. Students in these grades are grouped by skill level for reading and mathematics. At other times, such as in social studies, math congresses, or writing workshops, the children meet as a whole group, which allows them to benefit from one another’s strengths and learning preferences. Technology skills are also integrated into many assignments.
Homework becomes more disciplined and challenging in these grades, and includes some long term assignments. Multiple assignments are given each evening, requiring the children to organize their time outside of the classroom, thus beginning to prepare them for the transition to middle school.
Fifth Grade at Caedmon consists of our “senior” Fifth grade students, who spend the year thoughtfully preparing for the academic and social expectations of middle school while celebrating the culmination of their Caedmon experience. Academic instruction remains individualized and is intentionally designed to reflect the learning styles, needs, and strengths of each child. There is an increased emphasis on sustained, long-term assignments and collaborative projects, through which students develop essential skills in time management, study strategies, and organization. In preparation for the transition to ongoing schools, graded assignments are formally introduced. Each graded assignment is accompanied by a clear and comprehensive assessment rubric, ensuring that students understand expectations, criteria for success, and strategies for meeting their academic goals.
Fifth Grade is a particularly meaningful and memorable year at Caedmon. Students conclude the year by performing a musical for Caedmon students and families, demonstrating growth in collaboration, confidence, and creative expression. Each spring, students also participate in an overnight experiential learning trip to a nearby city of historical significance or to an upstate nature conservatory, where they engage in immersive, place-based learning. Through direct interaction with the natural environment, students explore concepts related to ecology, conservation, and their broader relationship to the world around them. The trip also serves as a culminating community-building experience, fostering connection, reflection, and personal growth while reinforcing the integration of nature with academic learning.
Tel: +1 212-879-2296
416 E. 80th Street,
New York, NY 10075
Get Directions
Tel: +1 212-879-2296
416 E. 80th Street,
New York, NY 10075
Get Directions
