I’ve had some parents recently ask me for more detail about the Sandia Vista Elementary School (SVES) Montessori program.  In an effort to help more folks here, I went looking on the Rio Rancho Public School (RRPS) website to check on what public materials were out there.  Unfortunately all those references I had read about in the past are either dead links or don’t exist.  I think most of this lack of information is due to the Montessori administration moving from a district office to SVES.  We gave the school a ring and were told more detail will appear on the school website, they are just not there yet.

Here is the SVES school website … http://sandiavista.rrps.net/

So for all those looking into the program, it’s still around and running strong.  Here is what the 2013-14 SVES Student/Parent Handbook (PDF) says:

MONTESSORI PROGRAM Montessori is a comprehensive educational approach to learning, from birth to adulthood, based on the observation of children‟s needs in a variety of cultures all around the world. Dr. Maria Montessori developed this educational approach based on her understanding of children‟s natural learning tendencies as they unfold in “prepared environments” for multi-age groups (0-3, 3-6, 6-9, 9-12, and 12-14). The Montessori environment contains specially-designed manipulative materials for development that invite children to engage in learning activities of their own individual choice. Children in a Montessori classroom learn by making discoveries with the materials, cultivating concentration, motivation, self-discipline, and a love of learning. Sandia Vista is very proud to include a Montessori Program in our public elementary school for the fifth year! Three primary classes with students ages 3-5, three lower elementary classes with students 6-8, and two upper elementary classes, with students 9-11, will be included this year, with all eight classrooms being housed in the primary wing of the school. The school principal is the director of the program. She oversees the day-to-day operation of the program, as well as the supervision of the staff and students. Montessori students and staff are a regular part of the Sandia Vista community, and we are excited that the Program has been a great success, and is continuing to grow.

If you want more up to date details please give SVES a call … (505) 338-2526

As always, I hope this helps those poking around the internet trying to find answers.

– Dom