The elementary class begins at 8:30 AM and ends at 3:00 PM.

The elementary curriculum is organized around the evolution of life on earth that is presented
through the five great lessons. Geography, mathematics, geometry, science, language, music,
and art are explored within a historical framework. The children have Spanish two mornings a week.
Children continue to explore these themes in greater depth in the upper grades, with
increased emphasis on individual research and creative projects in areas of particular interest
to each child. There are three components to the elementary program:

• Mastery of fundamental Skills and basic Core Knowledge
• Dr. Montessori’s Great Lessons
• Individually chosen Research

Montessori evolved out of the European tradition of academic excellence and offers a rigorous
course of study even in the elementary years.  Elementary Montessori students explore the realm
of mathematics, science and technology; the world of myth, great literature, history, world geography,
civics, economics, and anthropology; and the basic organization of human societies. Their studies cover
the basics found in traditional curriculum, such as the memorization of math facts, spelling lessons,
and the study of vocabulary, grammar, sentence analysis, creative and expository writing,
and library research skills.

Sometimes, because Montessori places so much emphasis on cultivating children’s sense of curiosity
and wonder, parents may get the impression that students can simply do whatever they wish,
avoiding subjects that they dislike. This is certainly not the case in any well-run class.

The Great Lessons are five key areas of interconnected studies traditionally presented to all
elementary Montessori students in the form of inspiring stories and related experiences and
research projects.
The Great Lessons include Montessori’s "Cosmic Curriculum," which involves the story of how the
world came to be, the development of life on the earth, the story of humankind, the development
of language and writing, and the development of mathematics. 
This curriculum is intended to give children a "cosmic" perspective of the Earth and humanity’s
(and their own) place within the cosmos.
Presented every year in the elementary class as an inspiration to new and older students alike,
the lessons, studies, and projects surrounding each of the Great Lessons normally span
many months and the questions that the children pose and their efforts to find the answers to
their own questions may continue for many years.

Elementary students are encouraged to explore topics that capture their imagination. 
Most former Montessori students look back on this aspect of the elementary program with
particular fondness in later years.
Montessori is a library research based curriculum. Elementary Montessori students rarely use
textbooks. The approach is largely based on library research with children gathering information,
assembling reports, teaching what they have learned to their fellows, and assembling portfolios
and handmade books of their own.
Students begin by simply using an encyclopedia to find the answers to a list of questions prepared
by their teachers. Montessori students are taught how to use reference materials, libraries,
and even the Internet to gather information and uncover the facts. Their oral presentations and
written research reports grow in sophistication and complexity every year.

Field trips away from the classroom along with special in-class programs by parents and other
community officials enhance the Oak Trails curriculum.
 Achievement Tests are administered each spring semester.

Before school care does not have scheduled activity times since children arrive at different times
throughout the morning, from 7:30 A.M. until 8:30 A.M.  Parents sign children into before school care.
While children are in morning care, they are able to read, do homework, do art projects, play inside
with board games and computergames, or engage in fantasy play. Opportunities exist for physical,
social, emotional, and intellectual development through the use of computer and board games,
art materials, books and short group discussions. Children are encouraged to practice their
communication skills, through which they develop a more positive self-concept. They are encouraged
to respect others’ personal space and are involved in discussions regarding this.

After school care starts at 3:00 P.M., at which time teachers are required to sign their students in
or out of the program if needed. No children are in attendance more than three hours, since the
program ends at 6:00 P.M. Parents sign their children out when they pick them up.
A healthy fruit snack along with ice-cold milk is provided each day between 3:45 and 4:45. The fruit
snack varies from day to day, generally consisting of whatever is currently in season.
Snack is typically apples, bananas, cantaloupe, watermelon, strawberries, carrots, or cucumbers.
Sometimes the apples are served with cinnamon, the carrots and cucumbers are served with low-fat dip,
or the fruit snack is accompanied by healthy graham crackers. Children are involved in the serving
of snacks and the cleanup afterwards. In addition to snack provided by the program, children are
permitted to eat any of their leftover lunch goodies at snack time.

Before and after snack, the children are allowed to engage in free play either indoors or outdoors,
if the weather permits. A staff member is always supervising. Generally, before snack is outside time
and after snack is inside time. Sometimes, outside time will continue after snack.

Inside, children are able to engage in any of the following activities: read any book from our
extensive library, play one of our many fun and educational board games, participate in stimulating
discussion groups, work on fantastic jigsaw puzzles, do any homework they might have,
play interesting dictionary games, play on the computers, play fascinating imaginary games, build
with blocks, shapes, and railroad tracks, or work with art materials. Our art department is one of day care’s strongest Part. We have everything from crayons to watercolor paints, construction paper
and tissue paper of all colors, and materials to build beautiful sculptures. In addition to these
individual activities, organized group projects are often on going. For example, stories are sometimes
read aloud, there will be group-cooking projects, and optional group art projects are often organized.
 In addition, group board games, sports, and other organized games will sometimes be arranged.
Children also have access to all the Montessori materials in the classrooms, which teach math,
reading, spelling, geography, and science.

Outside, children play organized games such as volleyball, basketball, kickball, and soccer, or hide
and seek and tag for the younger children. They also engage in imaginary games, the construction of
wooden "forts", climbing trees and play structures, and enjoying and appreciating nature. 
Children are also allowed to bring reading materials outside.