Program

The program for the school has been developed in conjunction with the head and teachers of the CMIS Montessori school currently inhabiting the school. The school is being designed for the current enrollment of 135 students, but will accomodate future growth up to the 200 student cap.

Classrooms

-6 classrooms accommodating 145 students, made up of: 4 classrooms for the 3-6 yr olds (approx. 30 students each), 2 classrooms for the 6-9 yr olds (approx. 15 students each)

-The school should be able to expand to 11 classrooms, which would include, in addition to the aformentioned classrooms, a toddler classroom for 1 1/2 - 3yr olds (approx. 12 students), one more classroom for the 6-9 yr olds, 2 classrooms for 9-12 yr olds, and one classroom for 12-15 yr olds.

-The best plan for the classrooms, according to Montessori Teachers, is square. This allows the teacher to sit in the middle and visually observe all atudents from an equal distance. The square plan also allows for a central focal point for group discussions and announcements.

-The design of the classroom should be oriented towards the appropriate age group for the classroom, according to the average size, strength and experience of an average child of that age group.

-Since Montessori depends on experienced based learning centre's, the classrooms will have to provide a kitchen/cleaning area with all equipment at the appropriate height and size. As well, a washroom, if possible, should be made part of the classroom environment rather than as separate entities located within the school.

-There is a desire for all classrooms to have an outdoor area that is accessible directly off of the classroom, so that there is access to the outside for freah air, plants and other outdoor learning excercises.

-Although Maria Montessori doesn't prescribe materials or ornamentation for the classrooms, her philosophy is "No ornament can distract a child really absorbed in his task; on the contrary, beauty both promotes concentration of thought and offers refreshment to the tired spirit. Indeed, the churches, which are par excellence places of meditation and of and of repose for the life of the soul, have called upon the highest inspirations of genius to gather every beautywithin their precincts". The teachers add to this philosophy by saying that beauty and ornamentation are acceptable, as long as there is continuity in materiality and design, and the ornamentation produces no clutter.

-The layout and circulation of the classroom and materials must allow for diverse spaces for the children to decide where they want to work, whether working on a table, or on a mat on the floor.

-The design of all of the classrooms should have a continuity so that as a child progresses through the school they have confidence and knowledge of their surroundings, and so they have a methodology to deal with new materials or activities that are presented to them.

Other Spaces

-In addition to the regular classrooms, the school requires classrooms for art, music and french, all of which are taught by specialty teachers. These rooms will have to be flexible so that different size classes, from 10 to 30, can all use the space. These rooms will also be used by children of different sizes and strengths, so it is important that all materials and furniture can be manipulated by the smallest age group.

-A central multi-purpose meeting space / general hall (open concept, possibly off of the entrance) for formal and informal meetings between students and teachers, students and students, and for parents while they are waiting for their children.

-The traditional school did not place much emphasis on the entry sequence into the building. Bannockburn was designed at a time when the boys and girls had separate entrances, and therefore, the entry into the school was decentralized. There is now a desire to centralize the entrance, and have it play more of a formal role....a transistion and threshold into the school, where the parents leave their children in the morning and wait for their children in the afternoon.

-The school will require a staff room that is separate from the classrooms and offices, and allows the staff privacy and a place to relax. It is also suggested that the space allow for a separate entrance/exit to the outdoors. This space should allow for a work area for each teacher, as well as a lounge / relaxation area.

-Administration offices will also be required, and should be semi-private from the rest of the school due to the nature of the work that will occur in these spaces. The offices should provide spaces for the book keeper, buisness administrator, and two assisstants.

-A central office for the headmistress / headmaster that is located equidistent to all classrooms, and allows for open access to students and teachers.

-Outdoor learning centres such as gardens for the students to grow plants and vegtables in, a vegitation and forest walk, etc.