(518) 533-9838 SE HABLA ESPAÑOL
WHY DO SO MANY FAMILIES CHOOSE MONTESSORI?
BEYOND ACADEMICS, WE EMPHASIZE "WHOLE CHILD" DEVELOPMENT
We honor the individuality of each child and guide him or her to focus on exploring unique interests. Each child's independence and empathy grows as he or she becomes a valued member of the school community. Your child will practice collaboration and critical thinking, establishing self-confidence with an intrinsic desire to learn more.
...BUT THE ACADEMICS ARE A HUGE STRENGTH
It is common to find four-year-olds reading (in English and in Spanish) , six-year-olds practicing multiplication, and nine-year-olds writing comparative descriptions of ecosystems. Our curriculum presents skills during each child's "sensitive period" for learning and then allows him or her to work at their own pace.
... AND WE'RE A COMMUNITY
Each classroom is a community which extends throughout and beyond the school. We invite parents and community partners into our network of collaboration to support the children. We view our relationship with you as a partnership, working together for the benefit of your child. Because children thrive when home and school work in harmony.
Castle Island has given our son a healthy space to grow socially and
to learn to work within a community that is diverse in all regards.
Emily, Parent, 7 Year Old
Albany NY
OUR PROGRAMS
We offer programs for children from 15 months to 6th grade.
_edited_j.jpg)
TODDLER
15 - 36 Months
EARLY CHILDHOOD
3 - 6 Years
ELEMENTARY
Grades 1 - 6
EXTENDED DAY
3 - 12 Years
SUMMER ENRICHMENT
3 - 12 Years
3 EASY STEPS TO ENROLL
Income-Based Sliding-Scale Scholarships
1. SCHEDULE A TOUR
2. REGISTER TO APPLY
3. JOIN THE COMMUNITY!
MEET OUR STAFF
Passionate Educators
CLAUDIA DILIBERTO
Lead Early Childhood Guide
Claudia is a bilingual Montessori guide with over nine years of experience working with children, including those with special needs. She holds an AMI Primary (3–6) Diploma from the Montessori Training Center Northeast and a Bachelor's Degree in Law from USMP College in Peru. Currently a Primary guide at Castle Island, Claudia leads her classroom with a deep commitment to the AMI Montessori tradition, fostering confidence, independence, and a love of learning in her students. Outside the classroom, she enjoys reading, playing soccer, and teaching Spanish.
LUCY AVILES
Lead Early Childhood Guide
Lucy holds a New York State Teaching Assistant Certificate and brings over six years of experience supporting bilingual, ENL, and special education programs at North Elementary School in Brentwood, NY. Her passion for working with children began in her teenage years, leading her to pursue studies in early childhood education. In addition to her work with elementary-aged students, Lucy has spent more than five years supporting Students with Interrupted Formal Education (SIFE), further deepening her commitment to inclusive and responsive teaching practices.
CYNTHIA CHESBRO
Lead Elementary Guide
Cynthia holds a Bachelor's Degree in Human Development
from SUNY Albany and is excited to be starting her elementary Montessori training at the Center for Guided Montessori Studies this academic year. She has worked with children in schools, childcare centers, and private homes for over 10 years. She also has experience living and teaching abroad both in Honduras and Spain, where she taught English and actively worked to improved her Spanish language proficiency. Cynthia grew up in the Albany area, and is looking forward to taking part in the
community here once again.
MARIA ARROYO
Lead Toddler Guide
Maria holds a PAMS (Pan-American Montessori Society) Early Childhood Montessori Teaching Credential, which she earned from The Learning Collaborative—formerly Kennesaw State University—in Georgia in 2016.
She began her career as a speech therapist after earning her Bachelor's degree from Santa Paula University and has always loved working with children of all ages. Her journey in education began during her college years, when she worked as a preschool assistant and discovered her passion for the Montessori methodology.