Elementary (age 6-12)

Our Elementary programme, for children aged 6 to 12, offers children a unique opportunity to explore and understand the universe through the captivating Great Lessons, which cover the history of the universe, from the origin of the solar system to the rise of civilizations. Using impressionistic charts and timelines, children delve into mathematics, language, geography, and biology, driven by their curiosity.

The classroom environment fosters development through Grace and Courtesy lessons, regular teacher meetings, and a strong sense of community. Here, children learn to collaborate, take charge of their learning, and follow their passions, navigating their own educational journeys.

Cosmic Education

Cosmic Education is the name of the Montessori elementary curriculum. The universe is presented to the children through stories accompanied by timelines, impressionistic charts, and science demonstrations that embrace the imaginative mind of the 6 to 12-year-old child.

The curriculum is individually-paced and interdisciplinary, emphasizing hands-on learning experiences that guide the child toward independently abstracting ideas.

All Elementary teachers are trained to present the entire 6-12 curriculum and can do this regardless of which class a child is in. In a mixed age class, children expect that everyone will be at a different place in their learning and teachers and children alike support the children’s learning at an individualized pace.

Just as in the Early Childhood program, each day of school begins with a 3-hour morning work cycle. During this time, children receive small group lessons, freely choose work related to the many lessons they have received, practice instruments, and take care of classroom responsibilities which may include caring for class pets and plants, doing the laundry, or meeting with a committee. Each child keeps a record of how they spend their time in their Work Journal. In the afternoons, there is a shorter work-cycle and on one afternoon each week the children have enrichment classes (Art, Music, and PE).

During a child’s 3-year cycle in Lower Elementary and 3-year cycle in Upper Elementary, they experience different roles in the classroom while forming close bonds with their classmates and teachers.

Lower Elementary (Ages 6-9)

In Lower Elementary, the formation of earth is the starting point for branching into geology; the relative scale of the age of the universe, earth, and humans; and the evolution of life. Children are guided to mentally situate themselves in the universe and appreciate the creations of the human mind. Stories about the development of writing and numbers lead into the child’s own writing, reading, math, and geometry work, and the children see how they are part of the continuum of humanity. Through this learning, children gain a sense of gratitude for the ingenuity and hard work of unknown people of the past.

Six to 9-year-old children are enthusiastic about learning facts and are unabashedly proud of their new knowledge. They work together to research topics and then present their findings to the class.

The Lower Elementary math and geometry program is rich with hands-on learning through the use of Montessori materials. Teachers guide the children incrementally through materials that present concepts such as place value, fraction equivalence, and long multiplication. Repetition with the materials leads the children to form their own understanding and Montessori teachers are trained to give just the “keys to understanding”.

Elementary children are eager to move beyond the classroom for their learning and the environment at MST allows children to make use of outdoor gardens on both campuses for planting, experiments, and even jumping rope. Elementary children are also eager visitors to our MST library where they go for research, book recommendations, a new novel, and a cozy nook to read in.

Upper Elementary (Ages 9-12)

In Upper Elementary, the themes of Cosmic Education and its interdisciplinary nature continue as the children extend their learning in all areas. Nine to 12-year-olds are able to read fluently and use reading as a tool to find out about the world. Children read avidly about what they are curious about and show a hunger to figure out the adult world. Popular topics include politics, money, the stock market, famous historical figures, Greek mythology, black holes, Japanese trains, and samurai.

As they get older, they become more eager to debate current events and book themes and create group activities that require coordination (such as economic simulations, music concerts, and plays).

Children in the Upper Elementary class continue to use hands-on Montessori materials to explore math and geometry concepts and through the repeated use of these materials they discover connections and algorithms. The connections and discoveries that children make on their own give them a deep understanding of the concepts and an ability to think creatively in math.

The bustling Upper Elementary community at MST has many lessons and projects going throughout the year. There are weekly Book Groups to explore literature, student council meetings to decide on guidelines for the class, student-led special events such as plays, concerts and festivals, an annual science fair, cooking, pet care, and tending our vegetable garden.

For a more detailed look at our curriculum:

PDF - MST Elementary (6~12) Curriculum

An Interconnected Tapestry: Every Transition and Graduation Celebration 2026

Long gone are the days when the entire community could gather under one roof to celebrate the transitions and graduations of our children. Instead we get to have a dozen celebrations. Last year, I likened it to a patchwork quilt but I think it’s closer to a tapestry with stories woven into each other, threads from one event sewn into another. As one of the few folks who attended every one of these events (along with James and Gel), I get to see the interconnectedness of the..

Jun 24

A Childhood Woven Into MST

After 14 remarkable years, Moka Kim graduates from Eucalyptus as the longest-attending student in MST’s history. Hundreds of classmates, six classrooms, 20 classroom teachers, and thousands of school days later, MST has been far more than a school to Moka—it has been the place where nearly her entire childhood unfolded. In many ways, her story is woven into the story of MST itself. Moka has long been someone who makes others feel welcome, included, and seen. In a school commu

Jun 23

Sparks of Discovery at the Willow Science Fair

The Willow Upper Elementary students recently transformed their classrooms into a vibrant showcase of scientific curiosity and hands-on discovery during this year’s Science Fair. Guided by their own questions and interests, students explored an impressive range of scientific concepts through experiments, engineering challenges, and design investigations. This year’s projects reflected the spirit of Montessori learning: children pursuing meaningful questions through research,

Jun 22

Children Lead Change for Earth Day Celebration

This year’s Earth Day Celebration was a powerful example of what can happen when students take initiative and a community comes together in support of a shared purpose. Organized by the MST HEAL students and the faculty and parent sustainability groups, the after-school event transformed the Garden, Art Room, and MPR into vibrant spaces filled with creativity, learning, and action for the environment. Students led many aspects of the celebration, preparing vegan snacks, organ

May 15

Spellbound at the Longest Bee

After 40 intense rounds and an exciting final duel, wordslinger Kano captured this year’s MST Spelling Bee title in front of a cheering crowd of Sunshine and Lower Elementary students. The competition grew more intense with each passing round, eventually leading to an unforgettable championship battle between Willow wordsmiths Kano and Kaya. The two finalists went head-to-head for 11 rounds, demonstrating impressive focus and resilience under pressure. Otto (Maple) also deliv

May 14

Battle of the Bookworms

This year’s Sakura Medal Book Bowl at Makuhari International School brought together enthusiastic young readers from schools across the region for a day filled with teamwork, friendly competition, and a shared love of books. Representing MST were 11 students from the Willow class, who arrived ready for the challenge after months of dedicated reading. Students began exploring the Sakura Medal book selections early in the school year, with many reading all 20 nominated titles.

May 14

- Maria Montessori