Environment

Hope Academy, designed and built in 1975 as a model child care center, was planned in accordance with guidelines established by the Missouri Department of Health Day Care Licensing Unit.  We are situated on a forty acre campus amidst lawns, woods, nature trails, a large shaded playground, and a swimming pool.  Our facility is spacious and light, with an atrium, skylights, wide carpeted hallways, a separate dining room, and large picture windows everywhere.

Each classroom unit is self-contained with a drinking fountain, restrooms, and a quiet area next to the classroom.  Areas for the study of mathematics, language, arts, geography, science, sensorial development and practical life exploration are well defined in the classroom.  Animals are present in every room.  This contributes to instilling a sense of responsibility for other living creatures, as well as a sense of respect and interdependence with the world of nature.

Observation

Parents are always welcome at our school.  You may call for an appointment for an extended classroom observation or just drop in for a shorter visit.  This affords you the opportunity to watch children interact in an environment designed to appeal to their interests, and specifically geared to their developmental needs.

Through unobtrusive observation, you will experience first hand, the Montessori process in action.  You will see the wide variety of materials available to our children, and note the deliberation and care with which each child selects his or her work during the day.  Observation offers a rare opportunity to view the degree to which our children are invested in their work, acknowledge their desire to complete exercises correctly, and understand their pride when they have mastered a complex task.

Whether you watch your own child or a class at large, you will see that these children truly love to learn.

Conferences

Conferences allow parents and teachers an opportunity to become better acquainted.   This is a time set aside for parent/teacher collaboration, in an effort to maximize each child's development and progress.  We share observations, report progress, discuss concerns, and answer any questions that may have arisen.  In addition to regularly scheduled Fall and Spring conferences, impromptu meetings may be requested by either parents or staff, whenever a situation arises which needs prompt attention.