Elementary Program

Contact:
emcelrath@greatriverschool.org
651-305-2780, ext. 25

Elem. Program Assistant, Amanda Erickson (email)

Message from the Elementary Program Director

Welcome to our Elementary Montessori community! We are delighted to have you and your child join us on this exciting journey of growth, discovery, and learning. At Great River School, we believe in nurturing the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally—through the thoughtful and intentional practices of the Montessori method.

We are committed to working to creating environments where interdependent communities blossom. Environments where we all work together to balance personal passions, community responsibilities, and respect for ourselves, others, and our environment. This child and community centered work is designed to develop executive function and keep the child at the center of their own learning while making space for each child and each adult to be on their own growth journey as part of our community.

Our Montessori classrooms are thoughtfully prepared to support each child’s unique journey. They are vibrant, hands-on environments where students are at the center of their own learning, this means they get to nurture their interests while they develop tools of personal responsibility. Our classroom environments are spaces that also encourage curiosity, creativity and growth. We look forward to partnering with students, caregivers, and our community to create a warm, supportive environment where each child can thrive.

Thank you for entrusting us to be part of this important chapter in your child’s life. We’re excited to share this meaningful journey with you!

 

Quick Links

Elementary Calendar
(At-a-glance)

Student Progress Communication Timeline

Quick Links

Great River Spiritwear 

Anonymous Bullying Reporting:
Speak Up! Number - 651-478-5834 

See all public events on our 2025-26 Calendar (PDF)

Academics

  • Elementary students study a rigorous curriculum based in science, geography, arithmetic, geometry, language, grammar, and history that follow the outline of Maria Montessori's five Great Lessons. Children pursue their own interests and challenges within this curriculum, developing a love of learning through accomplishing meaningful work.

    Learn more about Elementary Montessori

  • Students in elementary are placed in one of six lower elementary or six upper elementary multi-age Montessori classrooms. Once placed, students typically remain in their classroom for three years. We carefully consider each student’s individual needs and use the following criteria to create compatible and balanced classrooms:

    ● Gender Diversity
    ● Balance of achievement levels
    ● Equal class sizes across the level
    ● Students identified for special services
    ● Separation of students who do not perform well together
    ● Parent input based on academic and social/emotional needs or concerns

    Requests for a specific teacher are not accepted. Final decisions for class placement rest with school personnel. In elementary, we do not place siblings in the same classroom unless they are in the same grade level (i.e. twins) and parents have requested it), as this is required by Minnesota law.

  • Students receive regular feedback on their work from guides through work conferencing and planning. Students receive narrative assessments to support their progress and goal setting at the end of each semester. Parents should contact guides directly to inquire about the progress of their children through the learning plan and process. Official Elementary progress reports are mailed home in February and in June. Fastbridge reading and math benchmarking reports will be shared with caregivers at conferences.

  • Upper Elementary students go on a key experience trip to Camp Widjiwagan every fall. For more information about GRS Key Experiences (click here).

Elementary FAQ

  • School begins at 9:00am and is released at 3:50pm. Elementary students may enter the building as early as 8:50am through the elementary doors. If students arrive late at school before 9:05am, they will be marked tardy. Arrivals after 9:10am require a late pass from the office.

  • Yes! We provide elementary families with bussing and adolescent families with Metro Transit passes. To read more about transportation, click here.

  • Yes! Child care is available through our Big Canoe Club program for elementary families from 7:45-9 am and 3:50-5:45 pm every regular school day. For rates and information about Big Canoe Club, click here.   

  • Yes! There are a few opportunities to visit your students’ classrooms during the school year:

    Workshare (Dec & May): Students share self-selected work with a caregiver in their classroom environment. This is a time to see Montessori materials in action.

    Students share self-selected work with a caregiver in their classroom environment. This is a time to see Montessori materials in action.

    Observations (Between November - January): Sign up to silently observe the whole class environment for 30 minutes, giving you a peek at a day in the life of your student and allow you to learn a bit about the Montessori classroom. To learn more about observations, read more here.

    Volunteering: We'd love to increase our pool of available adults to help on Elementary Going-Outs! Don't know what a Going Out is? Check out THIS PRESENTATION to learn more!

  • All Elementary classrooms will send regular classroom newsletters with updates and information specific to their classroom community.

    In addition, Great River School sends multiple types of communications including Direct emails, an Announcement Blog, and a monthly Family Newsletter . For more information, visit https://www.greatriverschool.org/frontofficecomms