The six week summer academic session meets Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Students return for six weekend seminars throughout the school year.  The seminars meet from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, sometimes including a Monday or Friday evening session.  The summer and weekend sessions incorporate a mix of lecture, discussion, material presentations and hands on practice with the Montessori materials.

A nine month student teaching practicum follows the summer academic phase.  Generally, the student acts as the assistant teacher in a Montessori 3-6 class and is paid a stipend by the practicum site school.  Practicum support is provided by a VCMS field consultant who observes and counsels the student.  Students with extensive classroom experience may qualify for a self-directed internship. 

The academic phase and practicum may be completed in one 12 month cycle.  Alternately, the summer academic phase and weekend seminars are completed in one 12 month cycle (June to May), followed by a practicum during the following school year (September to June).