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Students and chaperones from Sammamish Montessori School visiting MOHAI in Seattle

The SMS Leaders Club: Empowering children through leadership and exploration

Hands-on and experiential learning help students thrive

At Sammamish Montessori School (SMS), the third year of Montessori education, often called the “Capstone Year,” is a transformative journey that consolidates learning, nurtures independence, and prepares children to thrive in their next educational phase. This year is a culmination of their Montessori experience, offering unparalleled opportunities for growth, leadership, and discovery.

The Capstone Year enables children to:

  • Master foundational academic skills and apply them with confidence and creativity.
  • Embrace leadership roles by mentoring younger peers and reinforcing their own learning while building a sense of responsibility.
  • Cultivate independence, critical thinking, and collaboration through hands-on, self-directed learning.

To deepen this experience and extend the impact of the Capstone Year, SMS has developed the SMS Leaders Club, a unique program designed to empower Kindergarten and Lower Elementary students. Introduced in October 2024, this initiative builds on the values of the Montessori philosophy by fostering leadership, creativity, and exploration, making the third year at SMS a truly exceptional milestone.

At The SMS Leaders Club, children excel through a variety of engaging programs:

Field trips

Students participate in regular field trips to MOHAI and Pacific Science Center that strengthen connections and foster teamwork between classes, building a sense of camaraderie and collaboration.

Community service projects

Participants actively organize donation drives, promoting teamwork and instilling a spirit of giving back to the community.

Mentorship activities

By partnering with younger peers during meals, story sessions, and interactive activities, students develop mentorship skills and build meaningful bonds across age groups.

Creative workshops

Hands-on workshops encourage students to explore problem-solving and spark inventive thinking, enhancing their creativity and critical thinking abilities.

Annual Science Fair

Kindergarteners and Lower Elementary students confidently present their projects during the Science Fair, improving their public speaking and presentation skills while showcasing their scientific expertise.

Peer presentations

Through collaborative learning opportunities, students share their work with classmates and younger peers, sharpening communication skills and boosting self-confidence.

And much moreā€¦

We collaborate with respected organizations to enrich our studentsā€™ learning journey. Through our partnership with the Pacific Science Center, the “Science on Wheels” program directly brings dynamic demonstrations and interactive science activities to our campus, exploring exciting themes like robotics, space exploration, and biology. Our collaboration with The Burke Museum offers students a firsthand paleontology experience, perfectly complementing the schoolā€™s Dino-Dig excavation site. Our partnership with the Seattle Aquarium brings our students the wonders of marine life. Students gain hands-on opportunities to explore marine biology and develop a stronger connection with the natural world.

The SMS Leaders Club further expands these opportunities, inspiring creativity, curiosity, and global awareness. Enhanced Spanish and Mandarin classes deepen cultural understanding, while hands-on activities like moviemaking, 3D modeling, and project-based assignments spark imagination and discovery. Students also refine practical skills such as typing through Edutyping, preparing them for success in the modern world. Weā€™re also redesigning our playground to include a peaceful nature walk, a small farm with animals like pygmy goats and chickens, and innovative play equipment designed to build strength, coordination, and a love for the outdoors.

As children develop critical thinking and social awareness, their growing sense of fairness, compassion, and justice is thoughtfully nurtured through SMS programs. The SMS Leaders Club provides a platform for students to channel their energy into activities that promote responsibility and a drive to make a positive impact.

We invite you to see how weā€™re shaping the next generation of confident leaders and compassionate change-makers. Schedule a tour today to experience our vibrant learning community firsthand and discover how the Sammamish Montessori School can inspire your child to reach their full potential.

About the Author

The Sammamish Montessori School

The Sammamish Montessori School (SMS) in Redmond, WA, was founded in 1977 by Joan Starling with just six preschoolers. Over the last 45 years, SMS has provided Montessori education to over 5,000 students. SMS has grown into one of the largest accredited Montessori schools in the Pacific Northwest for 18-months to 9-year-old children. Visit sammamishmontessori.com for more details.