The Elementary program is for children ages 6 till 12. Dr. Maria Montessori believed that children learn from one another, and younger children look up to and follow older children. This is the same in society, where communities and organizations have people of different age groups working and socializing together. This principle is also mirrored in the elementary, where classes are conducted in mixed-age groupings of six- to nine-year olds, or the LOWER ELEMENTARY, and nine- to 12-year olds, the UPPER ELEMENTARY.