About Our School

Curriculum Overview

At MECS, we believe the best foundation for a strong education is learning how to learn. Our students are actively engaged in the learning process through guided exploration and discovery. We recognize that elementary students possess the ability to think abstractly, have a tremendous appetite for knowledge, and powerful imaginations.

The underlying philosophy of the elementary program, known as Cosmic Education, is designed to help children search for their place in the universe and recognize the interrelatedness of all living things. This is accomplished by tying the separate disciplines of the curriculum together in an integrated thematic approach that encompasses the physical universe, the world of nature, and the human experience.

Fundamental skills in reading, spelling, language arts, and math are studied within this meaningful context. Students gain cultural literacy with a basic core knowledge of the sciences, history, geography, great literature, and anthropology. Additionally, as a public school we cover all the Sunshine State Standards. We do this by identifying and teaching the concepts embodied in each standard. Our focus is on understanding rather than mere memorization of facts.

Concepts are introduced and revisited at increasing complexity and abstraction throughout the child's years in the class. Subjects are taught in an interdisciplinary manner, rather than the traditional approach where topics are compartmentalized and considered once at each grade level. This approach nurtures the child's innate curiosity and imagination.

Students are given the opportunity to explore topics that interest them. They engage in individual or small group research projects learning how to use the library, reference materials and the Internet to gather information. They also learn how to organize and present their findings in written reports and oral presentations.

Each of our classrooms is a mixed age community of children, which provides a warm supportive academic atmosphere. These learning environments are created to develop independence and intellectual development. Known as the prepared environment, each contains a set of beautiful concrete learning materials designed to be developmentally appropriate to the age of the children. These materials allow children to explore concepts first in a concrete way then move to abstract understanding at their own pace.

Montessori is often described as an education for life. Our students learn to collaborate with children of different ages and abilities to accomplish goals cooperatively. Children learn to both contribute ideas and listen to the ideas of others. Students compete only against themselves to achieve their personal best. Mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities, and students know they can try again without embarrassment. These real world skills serve the student well throughout their school and work careers.

Curriculum by Subject

Practical Life Skills

• Time management and organization skills
• Conflict resolution tools
• Personal hygiene
• Cooking, sewing, gardening, cleaning
• Plant and animal care
• Earning and using money

Language Arts

• Reading taught with both phonetic and whole language approach.
• Grammar studies present the structure of language coherently, so the child will learn to speak and write well.
• Library and reference books are used for research and pleasure.
• Handwriting begins with hand control exercises
• Manuscript, cursive, calligraphy offered
• Creative and expository composition skills develop from level to level.
• Spelling taught by analyzing generalizations and rules.

Mathematics

• Always moves from the concrete to the abstract.
• Builds a mathematical mind.
• Develops understanding of concepts through sensorial exploration of concrete materials.
• Discovery based
• Includes arithmetic, geometry, algebra, problem solving, history of mathematics

Geography

• Physical – land & water formations, maps & globes, hydrosphere, biomes
• Cultural – continent and country studies
• Economic – natural resources and their uses, interdependence of nations

• Building a concept of time and historical time
• Development of life on Earth
• Ancient civilizations
• Pre-Columbian Indians, Native American cultures
• Age of exploration, US Colonial period

Science

• Includes cosmology, chemistry, astronomy, geology, paleontology
• Extensive biology nomenclature study
• Classification of living organisms
• Ecological viewpoint – the interdependence of all life
• Using the scientific inquiry skills
• Development of observation skills
• Health and nutrition

Brian Barroso
Community Member

Brian Barroso was born in Key West, Florida in 1973, a fourth-generation Conch. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Resource Administration and a Masters of Business Administration degree from St. Leo's University (2007); at present he is a Branch Manager and Customer Service Officer with First State Bank. Married to Dr. Collette Alea-Barroso since 1999, Brian is a devoted father to their two young sons.

He is also a Rotary Club of Key West Board Member, Grace Lutheran Board Member (Treasurer), Montessori Elementary Charter School Community Board Member (Treasurer), Military Affairs Committee member and Leadership Monroe County graduate of Class VIII. In his spare time he teaches Religion to the seventh grade at Mary Immaculate Star of the Sea Church and is a Mentor with Take Stock in Children.

Daisy Bove
Parent Member

Daisy is a Key West native and 1989 graduate of Key West High School. She has worked in the culinary industry for 19 years. She and her husband are part owners of Key West Cake. Daisy has one daughter who is a second grade student at MECS.

She started volunteering at her daughter's preschool and developed an interest in sharing her baking expertise. She has also volunteered for Relay for Life, in the Head Start program, and was on GRA's SAC committee. Daisy likes to volunteer and recognizes that parent involvement is very important to her child's education. Daisy received the Outstanding Volunteer of the Year award from the Pre-School Co-op.

Daisy speaks both English and Spanish. She feels that being bilingual has given her the advantage to communicate with a broader section of the community and work.

Sheldon Davidson

Sheldon Davidson has been on the Board of Directors since May 2007. At present, he is Of Counsel to the Chicago law firm of Pedersen & Houpt. He has a B.S. from DePaul University and a J.D. from DePaul University College of Law. Prior to joining Pedersen & Houpt in 1973, he was a federal prosecutor for 11 years in the Chicago Office of the Organized Crime and Racketeering Section of the U. S. Justice Department. He has been given the highest attorney rating by Martindale-Hubbell; and in September 2005, he was honored by DePaul University for Outstanding Service to the Law School. He has lived in Key West since 2002 and volunteers his time and energies to numerous civic and non-profit organizations, such as Hometown PAC, Congregation B'nai Zion and Friends of the Library. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Florida Keys Assisted Care Coalition.

Todd German
Community Member

Todd serves on the Senior Management Team of Marine Bank as the director of Corporate Services. Since arriving on the island, he has immersed himself in leadership roles in the arts, civic activities, and the business community. Most recently, Todd is the immediate past chair of HOMETOWN! Political Action Committee. In addition he is a member of the Key West Chamber of Commerce Economic Development and Affordable Housing committees and treasurer of the KW Botanical Gardens. He holds memberships in all the associations promoting business in Key West — the Business Guild, the Attractions, Lodging, Innkeeper's and Realtor's Associations.

His daughter is a microbiology major at Missouri Southern University with plans to obtain a medical degree on a military scholarship in the U.S. Navy.

Adele Magidson
Parent Member

Adele Magidson is an American Montessori Society certified Montessori directress in early childhood education. She received her certification in 2003 through South Florida Montessori Teaching Center in Boca Raton. Adele is a lead teacher at the Montessori Children's School of Key West, where she has worked for the past three years. Prior to working as a Montessori directress Adele has worked as a biologist and guide in the eco-tourism industry and as taxonomist for a National Australian Museum (Museums and Art galleries of the Northern Territory). Adele holds a B.S. in Biology/Earth Science from the University of the Northern Territory, Darwin, Australia. She is currently working on a Masters in Marine Biology and Coastal Management from Nova Southeastern University.

Adeles' two daughters, Story and Lilly, have happily attended the Montessori Charter School since 2004. Adele is committed to Maria Montessori's philosophy and endeavors to follow the child "whenever humanly possible". Adele grew up in Papua New Guinea and Australia and attended boarding school in the UK. She believes that the global perspective presented to children in a Montessori environment is crucial to a happy, healthy world. Adele believes that Montessori education is an effective melding of science and creativity. It s a system that encourages the child to progress effortlessly from concrete to abstract thought processes.

Roberta Mira
Parent Member

Roberta Andrews Mira was born and raised in Key West and attended Mary Immaculate High School. She then went on to attend the University of South Florida and Tampa University where she earned a degree in Marketing and Business. She is co-owner of Realty Executives and enjoys helping people find their piece of paradise!

As President of Zonta Club she created the ABC Walk and Run which still raises money for mammograms. She also helped spearhead the Mature Women's Scholarship at FKCC and helped create and edit Zonta's Domestic Abuse Tape. She was honored with the Zonta's Governors Cup for Outstanding Service during her term as President.

Roberta has also served as a board member for Easter Seals, Montessori Children's School, and currently the Montessori Elementary Charter School.

Jennifer O'Lear
Parent Member

Novelist and editorial consultant Jennifer O'Lear serves MECS as a parent member and the board's secretary.

Leah Renier
Parent Member

Leah, vice-president of the MECS board, is a certified science teacher and a former Honors Biology instructor at Key West High School. She is also a nationally certified Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor and is the owner of several small businesses including Stay Fit Studio and Fishbusterz Fisheries. Leah has lived in Key West for 15 years with her husband, Charlie, and is the mother of three beautiful daughters.

Elizabeth Young
Parent Member

Liz Young, President, was elected to the Board in 2004 as a parent member. Liz and husband Gary are proud Montessori parents of Emily (15) and Claire (11) who is in 5th grade. Liz is the past chair of several fund raising committees at the Montessori schools. She ran a successful fund raising effort for the 30th anniversary of the Children's School, and chaired the fund raising effort for the Charter School. As a Board member, she served two years prior to becoming President in 2007. Currently, she is a Board member at B'nai Zion, an accredited La Leche League leader and is the new Executive Director of the Florida Keys Council of the Arts.