Our Programs

Meaning of “Nido”: Nido means “nest” in Spanish and Italian — a term chosen by Maria Montessori to describe the nurturing infant/toddler environment that supports comfort, growth, and discovery.

Independence & Autonomy: Children in the Nido Program are guided through their daily routines in a way that respects their independence and autonomy. Classroom spaces are intentionally designed to allow children to navigate freely within a controlled, purposeful environment, driven by their natural curiosity and intrinsic motivation.

Language Immersion: The Nido Program provides a full language immersion experience during the child’s critical period for language development, with options for bilingual or language enrichment settings as appropriate.

Integrated Curriculum: The curriculum introduces components from the Casa Program, including weekly cultural themes and age-appropriate adaptations of daily interdisciplinary enrichment lessons that support holistic development.

Casa means “house” in Spanish and Italian — the name Maria Montessori gave to the traditional Montessori preschool classroom serving children ages 2.5 to 6, where learning feels as natural and welcoming as home.

Self-Directed Work Cycles: Students participate in daily work cycles centered on self-directed activity, where they explore through hands-on materials and collaborative engagement that builds focus, independence, and curiosity.

Language Options: The Casa Program offers three language exposure options — full immersion, bilingual, and language enrichment — allowing families to choose the experience that best fits their child’s needs.

Interdisciplinary Enrichment: Each day, students engage in interdisciplinary enrichment programs that integrate STEAM, Art, Music & Movement, Social Sciences, and Cultural Weekly Themes, fostering creativity and critical thinking.

Pathway to Elementary: Beginning at age 4, students in the Casa Program may continue into the IMS Elementary Program, extending their Montessori and immersion journey with growing independence and depth.

Nature-Based Curriculum: The program includes an experiential, outdoor-based curriculum that connects children to nature through daily, hands-on lessons about the local ecosystem in every season of the year.

Spanish bilingual elementary program that follows the Montessori Lower Elementary I (ages 6-9) and Lower Elementary II (ages 9-12) curricula.

Individualized learning with one-to-one and small-group lessons; students progress at their own pace and practice to mastery.

Freedom to move, choose work, and collaborate—cultivating independence, responsibility, and joyful engagement.

Nurtures intellect, concentration, self-regulation, social skills, and creative problem-solving.

Broad interdisciplinary curriculum: sciences, mathematics, languages, geography, practical life, movement, music, and the arts.

Nature and community immersion projects connect learning to the real world and support the whole child.

A supportive, caring classroom community co-created by Students and Guides through open inquiry, respectful communication, and ongoing social-emotional learning.

Program Offerings: IMS provides afterschool programs, enrichment camps on days when public schools are closed, and comprehensive summer camps — all designed to support working families while offering children meaningful, engaging learning experiences year-round.

Collaborative Community Programs: We partner with local schools and to deliver afterschool enrichment opportunities that complement each child’s school-day experience and strengthen community connections.

Enrichment & Exploration: Students participate in hands-on, interdisciplinary activities that may include language immersion, art, movement, STEAM projects, and outdoor exploration, promoting creativity, collaboration, and joy in learning.

Flexible Access: Programs are open to children ages 3 to 12, with flexible schedules and offerings adapted to the unique needs of each community and partnership.