Does Sprouts admit students in between the terms?
Students are admitted into the Toddler environment twice a year. The first slot is in June and the second in October. For all other environments, children are admitted only at the beginning of the academic year and the admission process is carried out in March and April.
Does Sprouts take in children with special needs?
Yes, we do. We have a set percentage for the same across different environments. The children are a part of the regular classrooms and a special educator works with children of varied needs, with a focus on specific areas of learning and behaviour.
Is Montessori good for children with learning difficulties?
Montessori takes into account the different paces of learning of children and brings together children of specific age groups. This provides ample time for the children to learn through repetition, which helps children build a strong base of basic concepts. There is also emphasis on multi-sensorial learning, hence children with mild developmental delays or learning disabilities tend to do well in a Montessori environment.
However, each situation has to be evaluated carefully to ensure that the program meets the needs of the child in question.
What syllabus or curriculum is followed?
The Primary to Grade 8 students follow an integrated Montessori syllabus with the ICSE, CBSE and IGCSE curriculum. The students from Grades 9 and 10 will be working purely as per the IGCSE syllabus.
What is the student-teacher ratio as per environments?
We maintain a low ratio to ensure undivided attention for each child. The ratio is 1:12 for our Montessori environments. In the higher grades also we maintain a student teacher ratio of 1:20 given students more attention and higher interaction times with the teachers.
What does mixed age group mean? How will the teachers be handling such a group?
The Primary environment is for children between 3 and 6 years of age, the Lower Elementary environment for 6 to 9 year olds and Upper Elementary for 9 to 11year olds. The mixed age group factors in the pace of learning of children, to make sure they are sufficiently challenged and helps students develop a strong sense of community. This also promotes peer observation and learning among the younger children and the older ones benefit being leaders in the classroom community.
The teachers are trained and have the required knowledge to handle the mixed ages and levels of the children, through individualised, pair and group works.
What role do co-curricular activities play in the intellectual development of the child? Are they compulsory?
Yes, co-curricular activities are compulsory. They are necessary for the holistic development of the child including intellectual, physical, psychological and emotional aspects to make the child independent and confident.
How are physical training sessions undertaken at Sprouts?
Activities in physical training are planned to increase strength and stamina and teach structured sports. One of our campuses has a rooftop turf for the sports activities and for Sports Day, bigger grounds are rented out for the practice sessions and formal performance. Physical training is given great importance and a variety of formats are offered to the children.
How frequent are the interactions between parents and teachers?
Parents are an integral part of the school and also their child’s progress in the school. There are orientation programs, workshops, parent observations, events, and parent teacher meetings throughout the year. There are plenty of opportunities for the parents to interact with the school / teachers and be involved in their child’s school experiences. Parents are expected to be a part of all these programs as it keeps them informed about their child’s progress and the philosophy of the school.
How is the child accessed without any examinations?
Montessori teaching is based on individual, continuous and consistent observation of the child. The individual and customised children’s planners of each child keep the adults of the environment constantly aware of the areas of work for the child. Repetition and in-class / project work allow for observation for the understanding of the child’s progress and the child’s ability to follow the same.
What are the safety measures taken by the school?
Sprouts follows strict protocols for the students’ safety. Rules and guidelines are given to parents and they are requested to follow the same at all times. Additionally, CCTV cameras have also been set up in each environment to ensure that children are safe and monitored while working in their classes and moving around the campus.
Does the school provide transportation?
Currently, Sprouts does not provide school transportation. Parents are requested to make their own arrangements for the same.
From which age class/environment will the farming classes be offered?
Farming is part of the curriculum for Grades 6,7 and 8 and is compulsory for all children. Please refer to the website for more details.
