North Shoreview Montessori

North Shoreview Montessori offers many special programs to its students.

Computer Lab

NSM has a dedicated computer lab with eMacs sufficient for an entire class at one time. Students have weekly lessons in the lab to learn computer operating basics and typing skills, conduct research, work on individual projects, or reinforce learning through educational software. Classrooms are also equipped with computers, printers, and digital cameras that students may use for special projects and to complement other curriculum resources. Each student has his or her own computer user account to electronically store individual school projects and monitor computer usage. The school also has a wireless network for Internet and intranet communications and access to the online school library collection. The computers have been configured to display slides and movies on classroom televisions, and all computers include software to aid in math, language arts, typing, music, and geography instruction.

Field Trips

Experiential learning is very much a part of the curriculum at NSM.  All of our children have the opportunity to participate in field trips. Over the course of the year, the following field trips are made available to our children: Peforming Arts and Youth Society (PAYS) concerts and plays; the San Francisco Symphony; Filoli Gardens; Coyote Point Museum; Hiller Aviation; California Academy of Sciences; Exploratorium; San Francisco Zoo; The Tech Museum of Innovation; Edgewood Park; State Capitol; Point Reyes; Elkus Ranch; San Mateo County History Museum; Hidden Villa; various book stores; and Camp Gualala (an overnighter for the fifth grade).

Gifted and Talented Education (GATE)

The GATE program is administered by the San Mateo-Foster City School District. Students are identified for the GATE program based on a teacher recommendation, a parent recommendation, STAR test results (given statewide in second grade and above), and district GATE screening testing conducted once a year. A full description of the identification process as well as options available to students identified as gifted is found at the district's website. At NSM, the special needs of GATE students are addressed through differentiated learning, which is a centerpiece of the Montessori educational method. GATE students in the Montessori classroom may learn at an accelerated pace with the teacher adjusting curriculum or adding other academic enrichment, so that learning needs are met at appropriate depth, complexity, novelty, and rigor.

Greens and Grounds

The Greens and Grounds program encompasses a wide variety of activities and enrichment programming for our school. The Grounds portion of the program is managed by parents, whereby the school grounds are maintained and improved beyond what the San Mateo-Foster City School District provides. The Greens portion of the program highlights classroom ecology, botany, and conservation by providing outdoor classroom activities which include a garden for each classroom. For more detailed information see the Greens and Grounds webpage.

Lunchtime Clubs

NSM offers a variety of lunchtime electives. The particular electives in any year depend on parent or teacher volunteer interest and willingness to oversee the clubs. In past years these clubs have included a student newsletter, chess, knitting, computer lab, Legos, African hip-hop, Brazilian samba and tech club.

Model United Nations

The Model United Nations program is offered to interested sixth through eigth graders. Students participate in meets with other schools, learn debate and research skills, and discuss issues of world relevance.

Writers' Workshop

Initiated by the Noyce Foundation's "Every Child a Reader and Writer" initiative, the Writers' Workshop program aims to improve the literacy of students in grades kindergarten through five through fresh approaches to teaching reading and writing. Student activities directly related to the program include a daily writing time, the application of different writing genres, reading logs, writing of reading responses, reading buddies (where upper-grade students read to younger students), and Literacy Week in March.