Frequently Asked Questions

  • At Autana, a normal day starts with the work cycle at 8:00 am, which typically lasts for at least 2 and a half hours. This allows children to work at their own pace and fully immerse themselves in an activity without interruption. During the work cycle, children choose an activity, engage in it for as long as it remains interesting, tidy up the activity and return it to the shelf, and then choose another activity. This approach respects individual variations in the learning process and helps develop coordination, concentration, independence, and a sense of order while facilitating the assimilation of information. After the work cycle, children have circle time and then go outside for around an hour to play and enjoy the outdoors. Following recess, they have a nap or quiet time, engage in quiet work, and participate in group activities at the end of the day. The dismissal period is from 3:00 pm to 3:30 pm.

  • Both Primary & Toddler levels are full-time from 8:00 to 3:30, Monday through Friday. Toddler families may pick up their child after lunch if they wish, but the monthly tuition cost remains constant.

  • Autana does not provide lunches for children, so families must pack their lunches for their children every day.

  • We provide healthy and nutritious daily snacks, considering dietary restrictions and allergies. Children serve themselves following the Montessori approach.

  • We have a native Spanish-speaking teacher and an English-speaking native teacher in every classroom. The Spanish-speaking teacher always communicates with the children in Spanish. The lessons are given in the child's native language, and as soon as the child masters the lessons in their native language, they are taught in the second language. Please visit the "Bilingual Education" section under the "About" menu header for more information.

  • Yes, Autana usually has a waitlist for all levels. Please contact us to find out more.

  • It depends on the child's age and the school's availability to take the child at the right age.

  • The first step to enrolling is to schedule a tour. If the school seems like a good fit, we will send the enrollment form to the parents or guardians to fill out. The completed form must be sent along with the $200 enrollment fee. Once the child is ready to start, we will send the enrollment packet and schedule a visit to meet the classroom, group, and teacher.

  • We have many ways of communication:

    • Two parent-teacher conferences per year

    • ProCare app

    • In person or through email

    • Back to school night

  • Yes, we do. The program is for 4-year-olds, and the family must apply directly with the UPK program and communicate with us to be accepted.

  • Yes, we do, but the program has limited spaces.

  • Yes, we offer art on Tuesdays and Thursdays and Spanish on Mondays, & Wednesdays from 3:45 - 4:45 pm. On the second Friday of each month, we also offer peace education. We can provide more information during the tour.

  • We don’t use rewards or time out. We use the Nurtured Heart Approach and the Montessori peace curriculum. We will provide more information on these approaches during the tour.

  • Yes, the last year of the three-year cycle of Primary Level or Casa de Niños includes Kindergarten level.

    Kindergarteners are introduced to progressively more advanced Montessori materials and sophisticated, fascinating lessons. They experience an important period when their previous learning from working with concrete Montessori materials becomes permanent knowledge. A Montessori Kindergarten student sees and feels their personal growth as they watch others learn information they have mastered themselves. Kindergarten is the culmination of the Early Childhood program. Children exhibit the independence, critical thinking, collaboration, and leadership that they have been practicing during their previous years in the Early Childhood classroom, exercising them independently as they prepare to transition into an Elementary program.