Primary Montessori Program Culver City | Ages 3–6

Child working in the Primary Montessori classroom at Culver City

The 3-Year Cycle

Where independence takes root.

The Primary Program at Montessori Academy Culver City is the flagship Montessori experience for children ages 3 through 6.

Children enter at age 3 and remain in the same mixed-age classroom for up to three years — learning alongside older peers, then becoming the leaders who model skills for younger students entering the group. This three-year cycle is the cornerstone of the Montessori method, and it is rare among Westside LA preschools.

Our Culver City campus at 5881 Green Valley Cir has operated since 1986, giving us nearly four decades of Primary classroom experience. Campus Director Gaby Ponce leads a teaching team of AMS and AMI certified educators, several of whom have taught at Montessori Academy for 10 or more years. That continuity matters — children in our Primary classroom are not adjusting to a new teacher every fall.

Curriculum

The Five Areas of the Prepared Environment

Practical Life

Activities like pouring, sweeping, and food preparation that build fine motor skills, concentration, and profound independence.

Sensorial

Materials like the Pink Tower and Sound Cylinders that refine the child's senses to discriminate size, color, sound, and texture.

Language

Phonics-based reading using Sandpaper Letters and the Moveable Alphabet, leading to early literacy before Kindergarten.

Mathematics

Concrete materials like Golden Beads and the Stamp Game that teach the decimal system, addition, subtraction, and multiplication.

Cultural Studies

Exploration of the world through puzzle maps, botany cabinets, zoology, history, and physical science.

The 3-Hour Work Cycle

A daily period of uninterrupted time for children to choose their work across all five areas.

Program Highlights

Why families choose Culver City

Mandarin & Spanish Daily

Both languages are woven into lessons, songs, and conversations throughout the morning work cycle — not taught as a separate, isolated class. Children absorb the languages naturally in context, at no additional cost.

Library & Music Room

Our ~5,000 sq ft campus includes a dedicated library and music/dance room — a rare amenity for a Westside preschool.

No Potty Training Required

Unlike most preschools, we do not require potty training to enroll. Toilet independence is taught as part of the Practical Life curriculum.

AMS/AMI Certified Continuity

All Primary lead teachers hold AMS or AMI certification. Several have been with Montessori Academy for 10+ years, providing incredible stability for the children moving through their three-year cycle.

Enrollment

From first call to first day

Call or request a tour

Call (310) 215-3388 or submit a tour request online. We typically schedule within 1–3 business days.

45-minute campus tour

Visit the Primary classroom while children are working. Meet Campus Director Gaby Ponce and ask about availability.

Review enrollment packet

Receive a fee sheet, schedule options (full-time or part-time), and the enrollment agreement.

Secure your child's place

A $100 registration fee and $300 deposit confirm enrollment. Monthly tuition starts from ~$1,675.

Orientation & first day

A brief parent orientation is followed by a staggered start for your child to ease their transition into the Primary classroom.

FAQ

Primary Program Questions

What ages does the Primary Program serve at Culver City?

The Primary Program at Montessori Academy Culver City serves children ages 3–6, including Kindergarten. Children stay in the same mixed-age classroom for up to three years, building deep relationships with teachers and peers.

What languages are taught in the Primary Program at Culver City?

Mandarin and Spanish. Both languages are woven into daily lessons, songs, and conversations throughout the Montessori Work Cycle — at no additional cost.

What is the teacher-to-child ratio in the Primary classroom?

1:5. Montessori Academy Culver City maintains a 1:5 teacher-to-child ratio, well below California's minimum requirement for this age group.

How much does the Primary Program cost at Culver City?

Tuition starts from approximately $1,675 per month for full-time enrollment. Exact pricing depends on your child's schedule (full-time or part-time). Schedule a tour to receive a detailed fee sheet for your family's situation.

How do I enroll my child in the Primary Program at Culver City?

Schedule a 45-minute campus tour at 5881 Green Valley Cir, Culver City. Tour the Primary classroom, meet Campus Director Gaby Ponce, and ask about current availability. A $100 registration fee and $300 deposit confirm enrollment.

Is potty training required before starting the Primary Program?

No. Montessori Academy Culver City does not require potty training as an enrollment prerequisite for the Primary Program. Toilet independence is part of the practical life curriculum.

How does the Montessori Primary Program compare to public Kindergarten?

The Montessori Primary Program is a three-year cycle (ages 3–6) with individualized pacing, mixed-age learning, and no standardized tests. Public Kindergarten is one year, age-sorted, and grade-paced. Many Montessori Academy graduates enter 1st or 2nd grade reading at a 3rd-grade level.

The Flagship Montessori
Experience in Culver City