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United States, San Francisco
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The Elementary program offers authentic, bilingual Montessori instruction for mixed-age groups (lower elementary 1st–3rd; upper elementary 4th–6th). Students learn in English plus a second language (Japanese or Mandarin) and engage in cross-disciplinary, hands-on activities. The curriculum integrates art, music, and movement into daily learning, with field trips and real-life applications of knowledge. AIM emphasizes education for life and encourages students to apply what they learn in real-world contexts.
Art, music, and movement are integrated into the core experience rather than treated as add-ons. In elementary classrooms, students have opportunities to be creative and to make music during the day, and dance, singing, and karate are offered as part of the daily schedule at no extra charge.
AIM equips children to become bilingual and literate in English and a second language (Japanese or Mandarin). It is the East Bay's Montessori program that offers immersion in Japanese or Mandarin through sixth grade.
Twice a week, elementary students participate in enrichment programs such as physical education, Yosakoi Japanese dance, gardening, and art, alternating each semester. Music and other performance activities are also part of the enrichment offerings.
The school develops leadership potential and multilingual communication, with classroom experiences designed to cultivate independence, collaboration, and responsible participation in school life.
The campus features two large play yards and outdoor spaces for active play. AIM operates from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with half-day, full-day, and extended-day options. Enrichment activities include physical education, Yosakoi Japanese dance, gardening, and art that support students' health, fitness, and well-being.
American International Montessori School (AIM) is a bilingual Montessori day school serving toddlers to elementary students on two Berkeley/Oakland–area campuses. Founded in 2009 by Ernest Mahr, AIM offers three Montessori programs: Infant Community (18–36 months), Children's House (3–6 years), and Elementary (1st–6th). Language immersion is embedded across all divisions, with toddler tracks in Japanese and Mandarin, and elementary bilingual options in English/Chinese or English/Japanese. Immersion is 100% in the target language for younger children, with English introduced in the afternoon for older students; elementary classrooms maintain all-day language immersion. Classrooms emphasize authentic Montessori materials and native-speaking teachers. Two campus sites host distinct language tracks, with Montessori-trained staff across every classroom. The campus features bright, natural-light rooms, child-sized furnishings, two large play yards, and abundant outdoor and garden activities. After-school enrichment includes sports, art, and dance—most notably Yosakoi Japanese dance—and annual cultural events like Setsubun, broadening students' world awareness and curiosity.
