The Montessori Program

Enrichment Programs

In addition to the Montessori curriculum, children expand further develop their minds, bodies and hearts in a wide range of enrichment programs after the Morning Work Cycle during the afternoon.

• Dalcroze Music & Movement (3 year-olds – 3rd grade): a method of learning and experiencing music through movement; developed by Swiss musician and music educator Émile Jaques-Dalcroze.  Instructor Brian Sweigart, with Masters Degree in Percussion Performance from Youngstown State and Bachelors in Dalcroze Eurhythmics and Percussion from Cleveland Institute of Music.
• Music Exploration (4th – 8th grade): vocal and instrumental music introduction including recorder and percussion.  Instructor Ian Hoy, Masters of Music graduate of Cleveland Institute of Music, principal bassoonist with Ashland Symphony Orchestra and member of Cleveland Pops.
• Italian Language (5 year-olds – 3rd grade): Introduction to basics of Italian vocabulary and grammar. Taught by Maddelana Rumor.
• French Language (4th -8th grade): from introduction of basic vocabulary and grammar to more advanced reading and writing. Taught by Upper Elementary teacher Anna Discenzo, with BA in French from University of North Carolina-Ashville and a year abroad at the University Montpellier III (University Paul Valery) through UNC Chapel Hill.
• Tutoring in Reading: one-on-one tutoring for students needing additional reading support, after teacher/tutor evaluation.  Based on Orton-Gillingham methodology of multisensory education. Covers elements of Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Vocabulary Development, Fluency, and Comprehension Strategies.  Tutor, Katie Bodnovich, completed Orton-Gillingham training program.
• Physical Education (5 year-olds – 8th grade): fitness and recreation as well as team sports in weekly classes at the local Alta House gym and outdoors at Tony Brush Park playground. Instructor Mike Discenzo graduated from WVU in 1997 with a B.S. in Physical Education. He is currently the Fitness Center supervisor/ Assistant Youth Sports Coordinator for the City of Cleveland Heights Recreation Department.
• Yoga (3 year-old – 8th grade): optional program introducing children to basic positions and benefits of yoga. Taught by Dawn Britsky, with Bachelors of Arts in Healing Movement from Lake Erie College, certification in yoga therapy and yoga trainer for children and seniors.

• Social Service / Philanthropy (4th – 8th grade):  Students learn to care for those around them – from the Little Italy neighborhood to around the world with on-going or yearly projects including …
  • Adopt-A-Grandparent:  children help elderly homebound parish members in Little Italy with weekly social visits, help with garbage take-out and light yard work.  Alta House staff and parents assist the children.
  • Abington Arms Senior Community: For more than 10 years, our school has provided outreach to this nearby assisted living senior community, including teaching a jewelry making class, craft and cooking projects, interviews for resident biographies, parties, and our annual Christmas Caroling visit.
  • One Love:  Child to Child Project: pen pal project with children in India including cultural education and child-led fund raising for Nirvanavan Foundation to support 10 schools in rural India.  
  • Advent mission: children sold Christmas ornaments to rasie money and purchase shoes for children at Hogar Dulce Hogar, a Mexican orphanage supported by Lisa Umina, our book publisher for a previous class project, Remembering D, in honor of a classmate who died of cancer.
  • Collaboration with Holy Rosary parish: projects with parish Social Concerns committee as well as serving as acolytes at funerals and weekday masses as needed.  The children also prepare and serve at a monthly children's liturgy at the Holy Rosary noon mass.