Claudia C'deBaca,
UPPER SCHOOL COORDINATOR & LEARNING SPECIALIST
Every age is a time of discovery, and adolescence brings its own challenges and triumphs. I love this window of development for many reasons. I love the children's growing sense of independence partnered with the deepening specialization of their interests. As they individuate from their adults, they gain a greater awareness of their value in the greater community and all the ways that they can contribute. I feel fortunate to be along in the process.
Carriga Camp,
UPPER SCHOOL 1 LEAD
There is so much to love about the elementary age, but I think their burgeoning imagination is my favorite aspect of their learning. As a guide, my work is to spark their sense of wonder about the world, and to guide their understanding of their place within it, all of which helps their imagination to grow. Having the opportunity to ignite their sense of wonder is my favorite part of teaching.
Leah Graby,
UPPER SCHOOL 2 LEAD
The elementary child is drawn to collaborative learning, challenging work, and finding their ways to contribute to their larger community. One of my favorite parts of being a guide is observing their process and progress from their early childhood foundation to their elementary classroom. As students develop skills for working and tools for navigating their social world, they discover their own joy for learning.
Upper School 1
Ages 6-9
Upper School 2
Ages 9-12
At-a-glance
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67 students (2023-2024)
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Monday-Friday 8:30am-3:30 pm
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Extended care available 7:30 am-5:30 pm
Adolsescent
Ages 12-14
A Day in the Life of an Upper School Student
Work cycle
The three-hour work cycle is the foundation of each morning in the Montessori classroom, and it is no exception for the Upper School. Students work independently through various parts of the curriculum with one-on-one or small group lessons with a guide scheduled throughout the day.
Campus
Abintra's campus sits nestled atop a hill surrounded by 11 wooded acres in West Nashville. Students visit our multiple gardens and walk the labyrinth with care. Venture further into our woods and you'll find forts carefully crafted out of sticks by Upper School students, hiking trails shaded by tall trees, and a fully-stocked archery range. Our apiary provides a hands-on beekeeping experience.
Music & The Arts
Music and the Arts are integrated into the Upper School program. Students explore painting, clay, photography, and other mediums in our Arts studio. Students are exposed to multiple instruments and music appreciation in their music studies.
Emerson Farm
Located 20 minutes from campus, Emerson Farm provides a rich landscape for community building, outdoor skills, animal care, cooking, and more. In their extension of farm studies, students learn about the origins of food and how it gets to their tables. Produce, grown on the farm and harvested by students, is circulated back into the Abintra community and the wider Nashville community.
Mindfulness
Abintra Montessori guides students in the practice of mindfulness throughout our classrooms. Mindfulness is an integral part of the social-emotional learning at Abintra and a strong compliment to the Montessori work and Positive Discipline practice that we embody.
