Kindergarten through 3rd grade. Language immersion in Spanish, French & Tagalog. Hot meals included. Year-round enrollment. Serving Downey, South Gate, Bellflower, Norwalk, Paramount, and surrounding Southeast LA communities.
Most private preschools in Downey stop at age 5 or 6. Montessori Academy Downey is unique in offering a full Montessori elementary program — Kindergarten through 3rd grade — in a single, continuous environment. Children who start with us as infants can stay through 3rd grade, building on years of Montessori learning without disrupting the relationships and routines that drive their development.
Montessori elementary is not traditional private school with smaller class sizes. It is a fundamentally different model — one designed to develop the whole child, not just test-ready academic skills.
The core of Montessori elementary is an uninterrupted three-hour work period each morning. Children choose their work, manage their time, and develop the concentration and self-regulation skills that are the foundation of academic success — and adult life. No bells, no arbitrary transitions, no 30-minute subject blocks.
Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade students share a classroom. 3rd graders form their own group. This mixed-age structure mirrors how the real world works — children learn from peers who are slightly ahead, and they solidify their own learning by teaching peers who are slightly behind. The older child benefits as much as the younger one.
Reading, writing, grammar, composition, and spelling are developed through the Montessori language materials — moveable alphabets, grammar boxes, reading analysis cards — and through genuine, student-directed research projects. Children write for real purposes: reports, letters, stories they care about. Many Montessori elementary students are writing structured essays by 2nd grade.
The Montessori elementary math curriculum covers arithmetic, geometry, fractions, decimals, measurement, and the beginnings of algebra — all through concrete manipulatives before abstract notation. Children who grasp multiplication through golden beads and racks before encountering the algorithm have a conceptual foundation that is far more robust than memorized procedures.
Language immersion at the Downey campus is delivered by native-speaking teachers in Spanish, French, and Tagalog — languages directly relevant to the communities we serve. Immersion at the elementary level, during the sensitive period for language acquisition, produces genuine bilingual proficiency, not conversational familiarity. This is a significant differentiator from both public and other private schools in Downey.
Montessori's "Cosmic Education" curriculum introduces elementary children to the story of the universe, the history of life, and humanity's place within it. Biology, geography, history, and the physical sciences are woven into interconnected narratives rather than isolated subject blocks. Children develop a sense of wonder about the world — and the habit of asking why.
For Downey families weighing public elementary vs. Montessori Academy, here is an honest side-by-side.
| Montessori Academy Downey | Downey USD Public Elementary | |
|---|---|---|
| Grades served | Infant through 3rd grade (K–3 elementary) | Kindergarten through 5th grade |
| Teaching method | Montessori — child-directed, individualized pace | Traditional — grade-level standardized curriculum |
| Class structure | Mixed-age (K–2 together) | Single-grade, 25–30 students |
| Work cycle | 3-hour uninterrupted work period | 30–45 minute subject periods |
| Language immersion | Spanish, French & Tagalog — daily, native speakers | Limited Spanish instruction |
| Hours | 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM (year-round) | School day hours, school year only |
| Hot meals | Breakfast, lunch & snack included | School lunch program (paid or subsidized) |
| Tuition | Private tuition — MAOF & CalWORKs subsidies accepted | Free (funded by state) |
| Teacher-student ratio | 1:8 (preschool); elementary 1:12–15 | 1:25–30 |
| Standardized testing | No — assessment is observational | Yes — CAASPP annual testing |
MAOF = Mexican American Opportunity Foundation. Many Downey families fund Montessori Academy tuition through MAOF or CalWORKs childcare subsidies. Learn more about MAOF subsidies →
Montessori Academy Downey is the only campus that serves the full span from birth through elementary — letting children grow through the entire Montessori sequence without switching schools.
Child-sized environment, 1:4 ratio, sensory development
Downey onlyPractical life, language, toilet independence support
All campusesReading, writing, math foundations through Montessori materials
All campusesYear before Kindergarten — Montessori materials bridge pre-K to K
All campusesLiteracy, math, cosmic education, language immersion deepens
All campusesResearch reports, fractions, grammar analysis, community projects
Downey campusLong division, essay writing, world history, advanced language work
Downey campusComplex math, scientific inquiry, independent research, leadership roles
Downey campus"My son started Kindergarten at Montessori Academy Downey after struggling at his public school. Within two months his reading took off. The teachers work with him at his actual level. This is the best decision we ever made."
"We were looking for a private school in Downey that went past preschool. Montessori Academy is the only one that goes to 3rd grade. The elementary classroom is incredible — kids are writing research reports in 1st grade."
"Both my kids are here — one in the toddler room, one in the elementary class. Having them at the same school is a lifesaver. The hot meals are a huge bonus. Veronica and the team are exceptional."
Visits are scheduled during school hours so you can observe the elementary classroom, meet Campus Director Veronica Tapia, and ask every question about how the program works for your child specifically.
Downey Campus — More
Downey Campus Overview Infant Care (6 weeks+) MAOF Subsidies Language Immersion Our Staff