Montessori education has expanded in Alameda with the addition of MEISA -Montessori Elementary Intermediate School of Alameda. MEISA involves the academic rigor of core subjects, balanced by an emphasis in writing, critical thinking, public speaking, and the arts. Our curriculum involves the integration of the common core within the Montessori academic scope and sequence, with an underpinning of lessons in character development, leadership, the understanding of equity and responsibility to self, community, and the world. A small class, representative of the concept of blended grades, allows for attention and innovative, nontraditional emphasis unmatched in many typical settings