Cedar Tree Montessori Elementary was established in 1999 and is a state and federal non-profit preschool and elementary. We are a caring, dedicated community of students, parents and teachers located in Bellingham, Washington. We treasure each child’s special personality and unique set of abilities.
The Montessori classroom is designed to provide a rich and stimulating environment in which each child can develop academically at his or her own pace. Social skills are taught and modeled. Children role-play strategies and are guided on the playground and in the classroom to use these techniques. Cooperation and conflict resolution create a peaceful, productive, happy classroom atmosphere.
Our Mission
Cedar Tree Montessori cultivates a passion for learning, supports communication skills, cultivates joy and promotes peace and diversity in a nurturing community.
Core Values
Whole Child Approach
We address the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional needs of each child. We do this by ensuring our curriculum and school day include opportunities for
Individualized instruction with a low teacher/student ratio
Opportunities for gross and fine motor skill development
A curriculum that includes art, drama, music, movement, and mindfulness
Opportunities to be outdoors in nature
Social skills and conflict resolution development
Incorporation of each child’s interests, personality, strengths and challenges in our instruction
Independence
The Montessori environment provides a sequence of developmentally appropriate academic and social experiences in which children naturally build their confidence and academics through increasing levels of freedom with responsibility. Children explore their own interests through independent projects several times a year.
Community
Cedar Tree values and encourages community. We provide opportunities for parents to volunteer in school, to gather for monthly social or school events, to congregate at drop off and pick up times and to easily communicate with teachers and staff.
Diversity, Inclusion & Equity
As a school community, we believe systemic racism exists and must be dismantled. Cedar Tree will be part of the solution by increasing the diversity of our staff, board, and school community to better represent our broader society. We will teach peace and acknowledge that racism exists. We will learn from each other and talk with our children about our role and responsibility to end racism.
Multiage classrooms build the expectation that differences between children are normal. We embrace, value and celebrate our differences and encourage diversity in our student, staff and parent community. We do not discriminate based on race, national or ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, Identification or gender expression in our hiring practices and acceptance of students.
Conflict Resolution
We teach and model peaceful problem-solving skills. We assist children to resolve conflicts both in the classroom and on the playground. Children take care of the classroom environment, consider the impact of their words and actions on others and frequently collaborate or help one another.
Global Perspective
We look beyond our classroom to better understand the needs of others around the world. We value cultural differences by studying cultures and inviting guests in to help us learn about our similarities and our differences. We emphasize respect for nature and humanity as we share our planet’s resources. We value the importance of service and participate in public service projects. Our school seeks to reduce its environmental impact by learning about and discussing our planet’s needs, recycling, reusing materials and cleaning with green products.