All Year Montessori
After careful consideration and months researching year round academic calendars used throughout the lower 48, we paved new way for Alaska educational experiences in the fall of 2014 when we implemented a nearly year round academic calendar for all ages.
The All Year Montessori (AYM) program provides families with consistent academic support year round with frequent, but shorter breaks well suited to enrichment activities or family travel. Spruce Tree follows a pattern of approximately 7-9 weeks on / 2 weeks off template providing five academic sessions averaging 8 weeks in length; each session followed by a 2-week break August through June. School holidays include Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, the day after Thanksgiving, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, and Juneteenth. (Christmas, New Year’s and Independence Day fall during scheduled breaks.) There are eight calendared staff professional development and/or in-service days throughout the year: two around the holiday break, two days mid-March, and two during each of our fall and spring parent-teacher conferences weeks.
Head of School & Founder, Sabrina Binkley, shared her excitement for the concept at a parent meeting on June 11, 2014 saying, “Part of our mission is to be a resource for families. This All Year Montessori (AYM) program makes sense for today’s parents. However, the academic benefits, particularly at the elementary level, are what make the program so attractive to Spruce Tree staff. Teachers working in schools following a year-round calendar (both public and private) report that students retain greater amounts of information and achieve greater depth of knowledge when long summer breaks are omitted. Fewer hours spent on review translates into more time for students to enjoy lessons on new curriculum. Educators and parents alike realize that “summer learning loss” as well as “the burnout factor” are real. An all year calendar significantly reduces, and in some cases virtually eliminates, learning loss and provides students and staff with all-important breaks at opportune times. Additionally, the program offers consistency of routine and environment for families with its enrichment camp offerings during the two weeks breaks, taught by familiar faces (teachers) in a familiar place (school). This calendar gives new meaning to the “3 R’s” — we’re talking about reflection, rejuvenation, and reorganization.”
In recognition of the importance of breaks, Dr. Sasha Ericksen, local psychiatrist and Spruce Tree alumni parent commented, “Breaks are essential to the learning process, and help consolidate knowledge and foster creativity. Shorter, more frequent breaks provide students, staff and parents the time needed to reflect and recharge.”
The investment in year round education is real when it comes to the value of time. Our AYM calendar offers 177 days of school, which is seven more than the state minimum of 170. Spruce Tree students enjoy a 7-hour school day, 8:00 am – 3:00 pm. Extended day programming options are offered during the academic sessions as well.
Optional “Break Camp” programming is offered during the Fall, Winter/Spring, and Summer Break intersessions at school. During camp weeks, Spruce Tree camp teachers prepare our library, gym, and outdoor playscape for relaxed enrichment… creative, inquiry-based, active days… to inspire kids to follow paths less traveled during our regular academic sessions. Break Camps not only provide added value for your family but give your child the break from academics he/she needs with a familiar face in a familiar environment.