Frequently Asked Questions About Our Orange County Preschool & Elementary School

At Heritage Montessori, our programs serve children ages 2 through 10 years across our three campuses in Newport Mesa, Lake Forest, and Huntington Beach. Our Toddler program welcomes younger children ages 2 to 3, our Primary program supports preschool, and Montessori kindergarten learners ages 3 to 6. Our Elementary program guides children ages 6 to 9 or 10 through more advanced experiential learning. Each program is thoughtfully designed for that specific stage of human development, so your child is always meeting work that fits where they are right now. You can explore every level of our Montessori programs and see how one age group naturally builds into the next.

We always encourage families to start with an in-person visit, because nothing replaces seeing our classroom environment in action. You can reach out through the Heritage Montessori School website to schedule a tour at the Campus closest to your home. During your visit, you will walk through each Montessori classroom, watch children as they move through their work cycle, and meet our guides. After your tour, we walk your family through the application, age placement, classroom observation, and enrollment paperwork at a pace that feels right for you. Many families tell us they leave their tour with that quiet, settled feeling of “this is the place.”

Many families come to us with very real concerns about cost, safety, cleanliness, separation anxiety, and whether their little one is truly ready for school. We hear you, because we have been there ourselves. Shalane Seymour, School Leader at Heritage Montessori, shares, “Parents are usually concerned about cost, safety, cleanliness, if their child is ready, and how we react to a child being upset starting school for the first time. I assure the parents by going over our security systems and protocols. I also explain the routine and what we do to comfort a child when it’s their first school experience.” We take the time to walk your family through every concern, so you feel ready before your child’s first day.

Yes, every classroom at Heritage Montessori is mixed-age, which is one of the most important Montessori principles. Younger children learn by watching older peers, while older children build leadership, empathy, and confidence by guiding the younger ones. According to the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), mixed-age Montessori environments promote collaboration, peer learning, social connection, and mutual respect among children. Families notice this difference quickly because the social skills and emotional development that happen in our multi-age classrooms feel deeply natural rather than forced.

Yes, families are welcome to enroll midyear when space is available at the Campus they are interested in. Because every Montessori classroom moves at a child’s own pace, your little one will never be asked to catch up to a group. Instead, our guides observe where your child is in their learning process and meet them right there. New students get extra one-on-one time as they learn the classroom rhythm, build friendships, and become comfortable with their Montessori materials. We make sure your family feels at home from the very first day.

The Montessori method is an educational philosophy developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, a physician and educator who built her approach around one simple observation that children learn best when they are free to follow their own curiosity. At Heritage Montessori, that philosophy comes alive every single day through carefully chosen Montessori materials, a beautifully prepared classroom environment, and trained guides who take their cues from your child.

According to the American Montessori Society, Montessori education supports the development of the whole child by nurturing cognitive, emotional, social, and physical growth through hands-on learning and self-motivated experiences. In practice, that means your little one chooses meaningful work, repeats it as often as they need, and moves at their own pace, not one set by a bell or a standardized schedule.

“It is hands-on learning catered to your child as an individual. Not all students are the same, and our curriculum allows each child to navigate their own educational journey,” shares Shalane Seymour, School Leader at Heritage Montessori.

A Montessori school is built around Dr. Maria Montessori’s vision of education as a natural unfolding, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. In traditional schools and most public school settings, every child is expected to learn the same thing at the same time. In our Montessori environment, your little one follows a personalized path inside a thoughtfully prepared classroom. “It is hands-on learning and catered to your child as an individual. Not all students are the same, and our curriculum allows your child to learn how to navigate their educational journey,” explains Shalane Seymour, School Leader at Heritage Montessori. This is exactly what families mean when they talk about the difference between Montessori and traditional classrooms.

Our Montessori curriculum covers practical life, sensorial, language, mathematics, cultural studies, and the arts, all introduced through hands-on learning. In our Toddler and Primary programs, your little one practices practical life skills like pouring, dressing, and food preparation, which build independence, coordination, concentration, and physical development. According to the American Montessori Society, Practical Life exercises support early academic preparation by strengthening motor skills, order, focus, sequencing, and problem-solving abilities that later connect to reading, writing, and mathematics. You can explore each level of our Montessori programs and how they build into one another over time.

Hands-on learning gives your little one the chance to touch, feel, and move through ideas long before they ever read them in a book. Our Montessori materials are specifically designed so that abstract concepts in math, language, and science become physical, visible, and easy for children to grasp at a young age. Samantha Tovar, School Leader at Heritage Montessori, shares, “Our classrooms are neurological workshops where the Montessori pedagogy serves its true purpose, preparing your children for life. We have carefully organized the age groups in each classroom by pairing the materials with your child’s natural brain development within their respective group.” This intentional pairing is one of the biggest benefits of Montessori education that families notice once they see it for themselves.

By the elementary years, your child is ready for deeper exploration, and our Elementary program leans into that with research projects, collaborative work, and interdisciplinary lessons that strengthen critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills. According to a University of Virginia study published on ScienceDaily, Montessori preschool students continued to outperform their peers over time, suggesting that the benefits of Montessori education may last longer than those of many traditional preschool programs. This is one reason 98% of our students meet or exceed national first-grade readiness benchmarks, based on internal assessments aligned with national standards. It is also why so many of our families choose to stay with us through every stage of their child’s education.

After morning drop-off, your little one is greeted on the playground by our staff with songs and games, ensuring a relaxed transition into the day. “When class begins at 9 a.m., they line up to enter the classroom for their morning lesson. After the new material is introduced, the children are excused to their independent work cycle,” explains Shalane Seymour, School Leader at Heritage Montessori. The morning unfolds with individual work, small-group lessons, art, music, and movement, followed by lunch, outdoor play on the playground, and a calm rest period. The flow stays predictable, which helps your little one feel safe, while still leaving plenty of room for choice and joyful Montessori learning.

The uninterrupted work cycle is one of the most powerful tools in our Montessori environment. According to the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), the uninterrupted three-hour Montessori work cycle gives children the time they need to fully concentrate, explore, practice skills, and engage deeply in meaningful learning experiences. Instead of jumping between subjects every 30 minutes, your child has the space to settle in, choose work, and reach that wonderful state of deep focus we all recognize when a young learner is truly absorbed in something they love. This is one of the moments Dr. Maria Montessori observed again and again, and it is something we carefully protect each day.

Practical life is at the heart of our Toddler and Primary programs, and your child practices these skills as part of everyday classroom life. “During this time, we also have our Montessori snack available for the students to prepare for themselves using practical life skills,” shares Samantha Tovar, School Leader at Heritage Montessori. Your little one may pour their own water, prepare their own snack, button a jacket, sweep a floor, or carefully water a plant. These small acts of independence build confidence, coordination, and a sense of belonging in our school community. They also reflect what Montessori advocates have long believed, that meaningful work is where true confidence begins.

Walk into any Montessori class at Heritage, and you will see something special happening. A five-year-old reading to a three-year-old, or a six-year-old patiently showing a younger child how to use math materials. Mixed-age classrooms naturally invite mentorship, friendship, and modeling, which is why most Montessori classrooms are structured this way. Your little one grows up watching older peers and eventually becomes an older mentor themselves, which is a powerful way to develop empathy, communication skills, and lifelong learning habits. Many families say this is one of the most beautiful aspects of an authentic Montessori environment.

Outdoor play is built into every single day at all three Campuses. Your child will run, climb, garden, and explore the natural environment on our playgrounds, then come back inside refreshed and ready for the next work cycle. According to the Child Mind Institute, outdoor play and physical activity support healthy physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development while helping children improve motor skills, heart health, lung function, and healthy lifelong habits. This is the kind of joyful movement that helps Montessori children develop a true love for being active and being together.

Safety is something we never take lightly, and it is often the first thing parents want to talk about during a tour. We use secure entry systems, sign-in protocols, and internal camera systems to help maintain a safe learning environment while respecting your family’s privacy. “Safety is always our top priority, and it’s something families naturally have questions about. We’re happy to talk through details like our classroom ratios, which are 2:24, so parents know what to expect. Our camera systems are used internally to help maintain a secure environment, while also respecting everyone’s privacy,” shares Samantha Tovar, School Leader at Heritage Montessori. We are always happy to walk you through every detail during your campus visit.

We follow clear illness policies that align with public health guidelines, and we communicate openly with your family when anything in the classroom needs attention. Your child’s wellness directly affects how they learn, so we work hard to create a clean, healthy classroom where germs are minimized through frequent hand washing, sanitized materials, and thoughtful routines. If they are feeling under the weather at school, we’ll contact you right away so you can decide what feels best for your family. We will always prioritize caring for your little one.

Our staffing ratios are designed to support deep relationships and individualized attention inside each Montessori classroom. In our Primary classrooms, our ratio is 2:24, which is intentionally aligned with the Montessori approach to community and independence. With multiple trained adults present at all times, your child receives meaningful one-on-one moments throughout the day while still benefiting from the rich social learning that happens in a larger group of Montessori children. Our team can share specific ratios for each program during your visit.

A prepared environment is part of what makes our Montessori classroom feel so peaceful when you step inside. Materials are wiped down, floors are cleaned, and shelves are reset so that every morning your child walks into a calm, organized learning environment that is ready for them. Our guides and staff follow daily cleaning routines, and we partner with trained pest management providers who specialize in child care settings to keep our facilities safe. Cleanliness is part of how we show care for every child and every family who walks through our doors.

Our guides bring a strong foundation of teacher training and ongoing education to our school. Many of our staff hold a full Montessori credential from a recognized Montessori teacher-training program, along with Early Childhood Education units and required certifications in First Aid, CPR, and Mandated Reporter training for child care environments. “They complete trainings on Rise, we have monthly staff meetings, yearly educational development trainings, CPR and First Aid, and ongoing professional development,” shares Shalane Seymour, School Leader at Heritage Montessori. Because we are part of Endeavor Schools, our guides also have access to a broader network of Montessori advocates and professional resources that help them keep growing and learning.

Communication is one of the most important parts of our relationship with your family. Every family receives a weekly video with reminders and a true window into what their child experienced that week. “All parents get a weekly video with reminders and showing what their children did for the week. Open communication is key, and we pride ourselves on making sure that all parents are informed,” shares Shalane Seymour, School Leader at Heritage Montessori. In addition to weekly videos, we connect with your family through emails, newsletters, scheduled conferences, and warm conversations at drop-off and pick-up. You will never feel out of the loop.

We see your family as a true partner in your child’s education, and our community thrives when parents are part of it. “I connect with families in ways that feel personal and approachable, whether it’s a quick, quiet chat in passing, a scheduled conference, an email, or a phone call. We also host schoolwide events that invite parents to be part of our community, giving them the opportunities to volunteer and stay engaged,” shares Samantha Tovar, School Leader at Heritage Montessori. From classroom visits to schoolwide events, there are many ways your family can stay involved.

Relationships are at the heart of our Montessori environment. Every guide takes the time to learn about your child as an individual, including their strengths, interests, and what makes them light up. “Our guides are very intentional about building strong, caring relationships with each student. They make a point to warmly introduce every child to their peers and teachers and spend time connecting with them one-on-one, learning about their interests, their families, and the things that make them unique,” shares Samantha Tovar, School Leader at Heritage Montessori. This careful attention is what helps your little one feel truly seen and safe.

Every child learns in their own way, and our Montessori philosophy is designed to honor that beautifully. When your little one needs additional support, our guides spend extra time with them, gently pair them with peers or small groups, and adjust lessons to match how they learn best. This individualized approach is one of the biggest benefits of Montessori education for children who do not thrive in the rhythm of a traditional classroom. We also work closely with your family, so the strategies we use in the classroom align with what is happening at home, creating one continuous and loving support system.

Our school carries one of the deepest legacies in Montessori education in the country. Our matriarch, Ms. Maria Peerzada, lived and worked alongside Dr. Maria Montessori in India in the 1930s, and her daughter Qudsia was Maria Montessori’s only goddaughter. Our family then helped open the first Montessori school in California and the very first in Orange County. Today, we continue this connection through training rooted in the American Montessori Society and the Association Montessori Internationale, alongside our partnership with Endeavor Schools, which provides shared resources and Montessori expertise across all of our member schools.