Primary Montessori Program West Adams | Ages 3–6

Montessori Academy West Adams 9,000 sq ft outdoor yard

The 3-Year Cycle

Where independence takes root.

The Primary Program at Montessori Academy West Adams brings the full Montessori method to the heart of the historic West Adams neighborhood.

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. This three-year cycle is the cornerstone of the Montessori method.

Our West Adams campus at 4449 W. Adams Blvd features the largest outdoor learning environment of all our schools — a massive 9,000 sq ft yard. Campus Director Vanessa Verastegui leads a teaching team of AMS and AMI certified educators, several of whom have taught at Montessori Academy for years, offering incredible stability.

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 West Adams

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.

9,000 sq ft Outdoor Yard

The largest outdoor space of all three campuses — garden, play, and movement built into every day.

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. Providing incredible stability and Montessori fidelity for the children moving through their three-year cycle.

Enrollment

From first call to first day

Call or request a tour

Call (323) 795-0200 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 Vanessa Verastegui 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 West Adams?

Ages 3 through 6, including Kindergarten. Children enter at 3 and remain in the same mixed-age Primary classroom for up to three years before transitioning to 1st grade.

What languages are taught at the West Adams campus?

Mandarin and Spanish. Both are integrated into the daily Primary curriculum — woven into lessons, songs, and conversation throughout the work cycle, at no additional cost.

What makes the West Adams campus unique?

The West Adams campus has the largest outdoor yard of all three Montessori Academy campuses — approximately 9,000 sq ft. It is also the only Montessori program of its caliber serving the Mid City, Leimert Park, and Baldwin Hills neighborhoods of South LA.

What is the teacher-to-child ratio?

1:5 — one teacher for every five children, well below California's minimum. This ratio allows for individualized Montessori lessons during the Montessori Work Cycle.

How much does the Primary Program cost at West Adams?

Tuition starts from approximately $1,675 per month for full-time enrollment. Part-time schedules are available. Schedule a tour to receive a full fee sheet from Campus Director Vanessa Verastegui.

Is potty training required to enroll in the Primary Program?

No. Montessori Academy West Adams does not require potty training as an enrollment prerequisite. Toilet independence is part of the Practical Life curriculum in the Primary classroom.

Which neighborhoods does the West Adams campus serve?

Montessori Academy West Adams at 4449 W. Adams Blvd serves families from Mid City, Leimert Park, Baldwin Hills, Crenshaw, Jefferson Park, and surrounding South Los Angeles neighborhoods. The campus is on W. Adams Blvd with easy access from the 10 Freeway.

The Flagship Montessori
Experience in West Adams