Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What ages are the children attending the school?
A. Beautiful Sun Montessori is a one classroom school for 20 children ages 3-6.Children may enter the program when they have turned 3 years old and are potty trained and may remain in the program for 3 years (the year they turn 6 is their last year in the school).
Q. How much does BSMS cost?
A. The tuition is paid in 3 equal installments of 3250 AWG (a total of 9700 AWG). This includes 180 instructional school days, school provided snack and lunch, an immersion Dutch and English environment, field trips, as well as parent development sessions.
Q. What is the class size at BSMS?
A.The class size at BSMS is of 20 children with 2 teachers always present.
Q. Who attends BSMS?
A. Our school is attended by children of Aruban, Dutch, and international backgrounds.
Q. What language is spoken at BSMS?
A.BSMS is a fully bilingual program (English and Dutch). Although teachers at BSMS are multi-lingual (English, Spanish, Dutch, Papiamento), the primary language at the school is English. Following the “One Face, One Language” approach to learning languages, the head teacher speaks native English to the children and the assistant speaks native Dutch to the children. The kitchen classroom is headed by a Dutch assistant to further promote the Dutch language.
Q. What do the children learn at BSMS?
A. The Montessori curriculum is extensive and well integrated. It includes the subjects of Language, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Music, Art, Geography, a Sensorial area and a Practical Life area. Each lesson is given individually at the precise moment in the child's development when they can best understand the concepts and all are taught with hands-on materials. Children advance through the curriculum at their own pace. Because of the benefits of mixed age grouping, they are constantly exposed to more advanced concepts and also re-visit concepts mastered.
Q. How are the children assessed at BSMS?
A. Children in Montessori are constantly testing their own skills with the self-correcting materials. Once a child has mastered a material and specific skill, they are ready to move on to the next lesson. This clearly marked transition through the materials is observed by the teacher as she notes the skills mastered by the child and continues to present the child with more challenging lessons. If the teacher notices a child is having difficulty with a particular material or concept, she presents it again, giving special attention to the details that the child was not grasping.
Q. What kind of communication occurs between the school and parents?
A. Close communication between parents and the school are of primordial importance to maintain the child's optimal development. Weekly news letters keep parents informed of general events and happenings at school. Parenting articles are sent weekly as well, to inform parents of the latest research on parenting topics of interest. Weekly photo albums are sent via email showing highlights of the children's week at school.A report detailing the child's most recent lessons is sent periodically.
Parent conferences are held 3 times a year to give parents and teachers a lengthy span of time to cover the child's most recent developments and to promote cross collaboration between home and school. Observations are open to parents year round after October break.
Q. What affiliation or accreditation does the school have?
A. The school is affiliated with the Association Montessori International (AMI). AMI was originally founded by Maria Montessori and adheres to very strict standards of education. Consultants will visit the school every 2 years to assess and help maintain the school's standards and quality.
Q. Is BSMS a religious school?
A. Beautiful Sun Montessori is a non-denominational school. The school's mission is to celebrate diversity, this is done by honoring various cultural activities and observing different cultural holidays and celebrations.
Q. How is the school calendar arranged?
A. The school follows the Dutch/Aruban and American school calendar. The school year begins in mid August and ends in mid June. Summer vacation, Winter holiday, as well as Spring and Fall break are given at the same time as the Dutch/Aruban schools. There are 180 active school days in the year.
Q. How long should a child stay at BSMS?
A. It is recommended that a child stay a full 3 years in the Montessori classroom in order to reap the full social and academic benefits that the Montessori environment has to offer.
Q. How is transportation arranged at BSMS?
A. Parents are responsible for dropping off and picking up their child from school every day. The school will assist in the organization of car-pools, or the arrangement of a bus system if desired by the parents.
Q. What is the school's approach to discipline?
A. The school firmly believes that positive discipline is a reflection of good school and home communication. Discipline is approached on the basis of age-appropriate behavior and expectations. If a child does something inappropriate, the teacher or assistant approach the child about it in a respectful manner. Parents are contacted when an inappropriate behavior occurs repeatedly and are asked to also talk to the child. Natural consequences, and choice-based consequences are other methods of discipline used at the school.
Q. How are parents involved at BSMS?
A. Parents are welcome to observe the children in the classroom openly from October to May by making an appointment on the day prior with the teacher. Parent/Teacher conferences are held 3 times per year and extensive time is allotted to exchange observations on the progress of the child. Parent Seminars are given at different times during the year to discuss topics of interest. Parents are welcome to join the group on most field trips and are encouraged to participate in yearly special activities.
Q. What happens after BSMS?
A.Children graduating from a Montessori program tend to have increased independence, problem solving, academic and social skills when compared to their peers. This is because in their three years of experience at school, they have been given the opportunity to foster these qualities to an outstanding degree. Graduates from our program have gone on to succeed in both public and private schools in Aruba and abroad.
