Pacelli Catholic Schools is proud to offer two, fully licensed Montessori classrooms to serve Austin and the greater southeastern Minnesota area. Along with our Montessori preschool programs we also offer our Shamrock Zone Childcare Center which offers parents affordable and flexible childcare options for before or after school care. Read more about our Shamrock Zone program here.
Our Montessori program is an all day program that runs Monday-Friday and is designed for children 33 months (and toilet trained)- 5 years old. Montessori programs are based on the idea that play is a child's work. The program is child-directed, emphasizing active, self-paced, individualized learning. This type of program is one of a kind in Austin and has amazing benefits for the children who participate in it
There are many known benefits for choosing a Montessori learning enviornment for your child including:
By being allowed to ask questions, explore answers, and make connections, Montessori students become confident, enthusiasic, and self-directed learners. They develop skills to think critically and to work collaboratively with their peers and to do all this with confidence.
Montessori education recognizes that children learn in different ways and accommodates all learning styles. Students are free to learn at their own pace, each advancing as he is ready, guided by the teacher and an individualized learning plan.
Intentional classroom design, materials, and daily routines support the student’s emerging “self-regulation” (the ability to educate one’s self, and to think about what one is learning), in toddlers through adolescents.
The multi-age classroom—typically spanning 3 years—re-creates a family structure. Older students enjoy stature as mentors and role models; younger children feel supported and gain confidence about the challenges ahead. Teachers model respect, loving kindness, and a peaceful conflict resolution.
Working within parameters set by their teachers and the classroom community, students are active participants in deciding what their focus of learning will be.
Teachers provide environments where students have the freedom and the tools to pursue answers to their own questions. Internal satisfaction drives the child’s curiosity and interest and results in joyous learning that is sustainable over a lifetime.
As they mature, students learn to look critically at their work, and become adept at recognizing, correcting, and learning from their errors.
Contemporary research supports the 100-year-old Montessori Method's effectiveness, indicating that children who learn in
Montessori classrooms demonstrate stronger social-emotional skills in many areas than children in more traditional environments.
Program | Days/Ages | Tuition Cost per Year | Max Class Size |
Montessori | 33 months old (toilet trained) - 5 years old M-F 8:30am -3:00pm |
$5150/Year | 20 |
Through a grant from The Hormel Foundation and in partnership with SMART and the Parenting Resource Center, United Way of Mower County provides a safe and efficient transportation service for preschool aged children in Austin who otherwise may not be able to attend preschool due to a transportation barrier. This service is a trusted, reliable, and affordable option for parents. Bus rides are $1 each way. There are many factors that go into bus placement such as pick up and drop off address, preschool location and time of class. Therefore, we cannot guarantee spots on the Rainbow Route for any child. We do our very best to get as many children on the bus as possible. All children must be registered for preschool before submitting an application.
More information and application can be found on the United Way website