DMA’s Philosophical Approach to Education

At Del Mar Academy, the concept of educating the whole child is central to everything we do.  We follow the principles and philosophy of educator Maria Montessori, while incorporating the works of renowned researchers in the fields of developmental psychology and education.  

To summarize:

We believe that a strong Montessori foundation at the primary level is essential to the future development of a child.

We believe that a Lower Elementary Montessori education, coupled with other renowned teaching practices, serves the individual learning needs and modalities of each child.

We believe in extending Montessori’s core principles into the Upper Elementary education level, while placing a larger emphasis on traditional and progressive techniques as a way to prepare our students for various learning environments.

We believe that children should learn both the Spanish and English languages.  We believe that developing a child’s non-native language opens the door  to communicating with more people and to learning from more cultures. 

Our curriculum is interdisciplinary, sequential, individualized, contextual, meaningful and holistic, and will provide students with the opportunity to learn in a variety of ways.   

Our Values

Enrichment
Our challenging, multidisciplinary curriculum is tailored to the individual needs, strengths, and interests of the children and our methodology is based on the best practices of enrichment teaching and learning. Creative problem-solving, decision making, and logical reasoning are infused into the program.

Empowerment
As active learners, our students are encouraged to develop their individual skills, strengths and talents and pursue investigations independently.   Students develop a sense of empowerment through opportunities to become decision makers, creative producers and active researchers.

Nurturing Environment
Our school offers a warm environment shaped by the values of respect, compromise, integrity, cooperation, tolerance and love. Our teacher to student  ratio is optimal for effective individualized and small group instruction.

Citizenship
Del Mar Academy is dedicated to the development of the child as an active joyous learner, a collaborator, a citizen of his/her community and the world community.

Parental Participation
Parent involvement is vital to the well being of the students and our school.  Parents are true partners in education. We survey interests, professions, and hobbies and request that willing parents join us and share their knowledge, (and) expertise, and experiences with our students.

Diversity
Ethnic, racial, religious, and lifestyle differences among students and their families enrich the heterogeneity of our school. Cultural diversity is valued and (children are exposed to) various perspectives are covered through the curriculum. Individual differences are celebrated at Del Mar Academy as a source of learning and joy.

Joy
We believe in celebrating life and learning with a sense of joy, appreciation and wonder.

AIMS & LEADING PRINCIPLES

At DMA our goal is to bequeath to each student a legacy of limitless possibilities:

Love of life, learning, and laughter
Environments that engage, excite, and embrace everyone
Acquisition of skills necessary for a balanced, successful life
Respect for self, others, and the world
Nourishing self-awareness and peace within
Inspiring innovative thinkers
Nurturing relationships & fostering inherent worth
Global awareness & citizenship

The Fundamental Nature of Our School

Del Mar Academy is an international, multi-cultural, dual-language immersion, and eco-conscious school, which is committed to diversity.

Del Mar Academy adheres to the philosophical works and observations of Dr. Maria Montessori, which have been proven highly effective learning tools both historically and cross-culturally.

We use the Montessori approach, along with compatible curriculum and programmatic elements of additional approaches and materials from the non-Montessori educational community, to provide opportunities for enrichment beyond the basic curriculum.

We are committed to character and values.

Del Mar Academy is a close-knit community of students, educators, parents and friends of the school.