Assessment & Montessori

What Does "Assessment" Look Like at Pinyon?

For us, assessment isn't a snapshot in time, but an integrated part of the daily rhythm. You'll see Pinyon’s teacher leaders actively engaged in:

• Watching during lessons: We pay close attention as the child engages with new ideas – are they curious? Do they grasp the concept? How do they first try it out?

• Observing independent work: This is where we see a child's unique strengths shine! We notice their focus, how they solve problems, if they take initiative, and how well they've mastered different materials.

• Connecting one-on-one: We love having individual chats with a child! This helps us understand their thinking, pinpoint areas where they're strong, and offer personalized support just for them.

  
  

Our Take on Standardized Testing

As a private Montessori school, standardized tests aren't typically part of our routine. However, this year, we did administer the NWEA MAP Growth Assessment to our Kindergarten through 6th graders as part of a specific grant requirement. Interestingly, the results mostly confirmed what we already knew about our children's skills and development!

Student Achievements

Highlight #1

Our students' NWEA MAP reading scores are soaring with a median achievement percentile of 95th. This reflects their hard work and the supportive environment Pinyon provides.

 Highlight #2

In mathematics, our students also demonstrated strength and proficiency, placing themselves in the 84th percentile on math assessments.

 Congratulations to all our students.

The Whole Child is Our Focus

At Pinyon, our biggest priority is to understand the whole picture of the child – their unique talents and potential in all areas. We value:

• Growing minds: We want them to understand concepts and build skills in all the subjects they explore.

• Becoming themselves: We celebrate their journey towards independence, self-control, and taking responsibility.

• Kind hearts and connections: We nurture their ability to feel empathy, work well with others, and treat everyone with respect.

• Strong work habits: We encourage their concentration, determination, and organizational skills.

By focusing on all these aspects through our thoughtful observations, we can give a child the specific support they need to thrive and reach for their full potential. We believe this way of understanding their journey offers so much more than just a test score!