High School

From age twelve to eighteen, young people become humanistic explorers seeking to understand themselves and their emerging role in society. Students have a deep need for creative expression, and their style of learning becomes more practical and experiential. This is a time where Adolescents may explore different identities and roles, looking to their peers for identity. They are searching for important answers to key questions such as ‘Who am I?’, ‘How do I fit in?’, and ‘How can I be understood?’ Our Adolescent program recognises the characteristics of these students, and seeks to provide an environment perfectly suited to the adolescent learner.

Our prepared environment has been designed to allow for a broad range of learning environments which provide the space for Socratic Seminars, an integration of subjects and capitalisation of student strengths. We provide a range of learning opportunities for students to grow as engaged and proactive members of society through weekly student led class council sessions and weekly off campus visits to venues such as libraries, local businesses, museums, art galleries and a range of other community locations. Our students are provided links to the wider community (such as participation in the bush regeneration program with Ku-ring-gai Council), exploration of world issues (through participation in Montessori Model United Nations Youth Impact Forum), restorative justice practices, creative expression, debate, research and independently chosen projects. With these opportunities and the values placed on creative expression, collaboration and exploration, students in our program have limitless opportunities to grow and learn.

The Adolescent Curriculum at Northside Montessori School is delivered in compliance with NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) outcomes and with the developmental needs of the Adolescent at the core. Northside Montessori School is a Registered and Accredited school with NESA and the curriculum is integrated to ensure robust and deep learning. Our curriculum aligns with all the regulatory requirements to ensure that students who complete Years 7 – 10 will be eligible for the NSW Record of School Achievement (RoSA).

Our curriculum consists of:

• English
• Mathematics
• Science
• HSIE (History, Geography)
• Mandatory Technology
• Music
• Personal Development, Health and Physical Education
• Food Technology
• Visual Arts
• Agriculture
• Spanish

All these subjects will be delivered in a manner consistent with Dr. Montessori’s hands on, inquiry based, student centred, practical approach.

Northside Montessori School is a Candidate School* for the Diploma Programme. This school is pursuing authorisation as an IB World School. These are schools that share a common philosophy—a commitment to high quality, challenging, international education that Northside believes is important for our students.

The philosophy and mission of the IB program aligns closely with that of Montessori, offering more than academic knowledge, but rather providing a well-rounded learning experience focused around the student.

*Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer any of its four academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Diploma Programme, or the Career-related Programme (CP). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted. For further information about the IB and its programmes, visit www.ibo.org