Grade Overviews

Our Montessori program offers a hands-on, individually paced learning experience in a multi-age classroom environment. The teacher facilitates learning by connecting each child with specifically designed materials and carefully selected exercises, moving from the simple and concrete to the complex and abstract. In Montessori, children choose their own work, resulting in self-motivated growth. NFA and our Montessori teachers are fully certified by the American Montessori Society (AMS).

Our preschoolers joyfully and actively engage in a three-year curriculum with the same teacher built around their natural physical, emotional, social, and intellectual development. Students develop independence, self-care, self-awareness, grace, and courtesy as they learn at their own pace, work cooperatively with each other, and mentor each other. 

In our Pre-Primary program (ages 3 and 4) and Kindergarten (age 5) our students progress through the curriculum in a teacher-directed environment that encourages interaction, exploration, and investigation. In first, second, and third grade, students learn the critical skills of decision-making and responsibility as teachers guide them through their academic subjects and enrichment classes using themed projects and independent learning centers.

Our Montessori program offers a hands-on, individually paced learning experience in a multi-age classroom environment. The teacher facilitates learning by connecting each child with specifically designed materials and carefully selected exercises, moving from the simple and concrete to the complex and abstract. In Montessori, children choose their own work, resulting in self-motivated growth. NFA and our Montessori teachers are fully certified by the American Montessori Society (AMS).

The Junior Level Montessori program (JLM) features freedom of movement, open work space, projects, and blocks of time for both individual and group lessons. Working with a wide array of stimulating hands-on materials in all subject areas—including a strong literature-based language program, culture studies (geography, history, science), and technology—our students move from concrete to abstract learning and thinking. 

The Primary program offers innovative project- and theme-based learning experiences using teacher-led activities and lessons. Teachers play a more directive role in students’ learning while still encouraging independence and confidence. Children are grouped by grades in creative, interactive class environments.

NFA’s integrated approach combines academic challenge and a spiritual foundation with abundant opportunities for students to grow in independence and confidence through athletics, the arts, and meaningful service. 

Content Specialization Begins

In grade 4, students transition into a content-specialized program. Children are rooted in their homerooms as learning expands into the creative interactive environments of the Fontbonne Building with subject-specific teachers. 

Self-Directed Learning Continues

Our Montessori and Primary programs merge in grade 4, blending the strengths of both approaches to learning. Students continue to grow in self-direction, independence, and confidence as they:

• Experience full- and small-group teacher-led learning.
• Engage in collaborative learning opportunities. 
• Form strong study, organizational, and time management skills.
• Work with their own advisors who help them set personal goals, foster positive student interaction, and strengthen student-teacher-family relationships.

Curriculum Highlights

In the Intermediate grades, students experience:

• Study in religion, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science.
• Enrichment classes in art, music, physical education, and library.
• STEM curriculum that encourages students to use the design process to solve authentic problems.
• Expanded studies in Spanish.
• Age-appropriate use of technology that enables students to adapt to new social and technological paradigms, develop critical thinking, and creatively communicate positive new ideas. 
• Ongoing emphasis on presentation and public speaking skills. 

NFA’s integrated, self-directed approach combines academic challenge and a spiritual foundation with abundant opportunities for students to grow through athletics, the arts, and meaningful face-to-face service opportunities. 

Holistic High School Preparation

The Middle School program focuses on the formation of young adolescents as they prepare for high school. Our students continue to grow in independence, passion, and confidence within cooperative and increasingly demanding academic settings. As the oldest students on campus, they’re inspired to be positive leaders within the school community. In turn, they become leaders in their home communities, too.  

Our Middle School students:

• Work with their own advisors who help them set personal goals, foster positive student interaction, and strengthen student-teacher-family relationships.
• Engage in research projects that build their reading, writing, and presentation skills, culminating in a capstone project, which promotes student agency and  gives them the opportunity to share their voices.
• Use technology to communicate and collaborate while completing assignments and projects across curriculums.
• Thrive on the Norwood Campus, as they experience varied learning settings, just like they will in high school.
• Benefit from NFA’s long-standing relationships with area Catholic and independent high schools, as they navigate the best fit for them in the years to come.

Rigorous, High School Preparatory Curriculum

As a result of their studies at NFA, our graduates qualify for high school honors classes and test into sophomore-level Spanish and mathematics classes. The Middle School course of study includes:

• Religion, language arts, mathematics (through Algebra I), social studies, and science
• Enrichment classes in art, music, physical education, and library
• Spanish classes four times a week
• STEM curriculum that encourages students to use the design process to solve authentic problems
• An exploratory class designed to excite and challenge students in different areas of interest
• Collaborative learning experiences in which students work in large and small groups