Sunstone offers a comprehensive Montessori education for children from 2½ years old through 6th grade. Children are grouped in mixed age classrooms and stay with the same teacher for three years at a time before moving to the next level. We offer school and after-school care for children ages 2½ to 6 at our [Children’s House](http://sunstonemontessori.org/childrens_house) campus in Multnomah Village, and for children in 1st through 6th grade at our [Elementary](http://sunstonemontessori.org/elementary) campus at Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway and Shattuck Road. intro_video ##Children's House (ages 2½ to 6)## **Class size and staffing:** Each of the three children's house classrooms serves 23 children and is staffed by an AMI Montessori trained guide and an assistant. **Morning program:** The Montessori classroom schedule for children ages 2½ to 4 is 8:15 to 12:00, 5 days a week, although morning and afternoon child care are also available. **Full day:** Children approaching 5 years old are invited to stay for 'Extended Day,' an extended work period including lunch in the Montessori classroom, from 12:00 to 3:00. **Transitions:** Children not old enough to stay for Extended Day, but in need of care between 12:00 and 3:00, may enroll in our Transitions program. Children in Transitions stay for lunch and a quiet rest period, and take part in games, puzzles, stories, songs, and in a Montessori-influenced environment, but it is not a Montessori classroom. Transitions children can stay for afternoon care if necessary. **Beforecare and Aftercare:** Beforecare, from 7:30 to 8:15, and Aftercare, from 3:15 to 5:30, are available by monthly contract and drop-in (limited by available space). ##Elementary (1st through 6th grade)## **Class size and staffing:** Two Lower Elementary classrooms for children ages 6 to 9 serve about 25 children each, staffed by an AMI Montessori trained guide and an assistant. The Upper Elementary classroom, for children ages 9 to 12, serves 40 children, staffed by two AMI trained guides and an assistant. **Schedule:** The Elementary program begins at 8:15 and runs to 3:00, with a one-hour break for lunch and recess. Beforecare, beginning at 7:30, and Aftercare, until 6:00, are also available. **Beforecare and Aftercare:** Beforecare, from 7:30 to 8:15, and Aftercare, from 3:15 to 6:00, are available by monthly contract and drop-in (limited by available space). 2009-10-19T20:49:14-07:00 Overview of Sunstone's educational programs, including daily schedules 19 10 false Programs and schedules 18 11 ![alt text][1] [1]: http://www.sunstonemontessori.org/system/attachments/5/original/image0.jpg?1256242185 ##Educational programs## Learn more about what happens in the Montessori classroom at each level: * [Children's house](/childrens_house) * [Elementary](/elementary) The underlying goal of Montessori education at ever level is independence: functional, social, and intellectual. Montessori believed that children needed most of all to be prepared to adapt to whatever the future might bring. 2009-10-19T20:49:14-07:00 programs_and_schedules