Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) is a Montessori-based approach to faith formation that invites children into a deeper, more personal relationship with God. Using hands-on materials rooted in scripture and the liturgy, students are introduced to the mysteries of the Catholic faith in a way that fosters prayer, wonder, and reverence. At GSCM, all students in Pre-Primary through Upper Elementary participate weekly in CGS sessions. The curriculum follows the liturgical calendar, helping students enter more fully into the seasons and celebrations of the Church year.

The Atrium

The Atrium is a sacred, thoughtfully prepared environment where CGS takes place. Blending the beauty of a chapel with the order and independence of a Montessori classroom, the Atrium offers students space to encounter God through quiet work, scripture reflection, and prayer.

Each level aligns with the child’s spiritual and developmental needs, supporting their growth in faith as they move through the liturgical year.

Children move through three levels of CGS in the Atrium:

• Level I (ages 3–6): Focuses on the love of the Good Shepherd and the foundational elements of liturgy
• Level II (ages 6–9): Explores moral parables, the sacraments, and salvation history
• Level III (ages 9–12): Deepens understanding of scripture, Church tradition, and God’s plan through time

GSCM is the only school in the Archdiocese and one of the few across the country that fully implement Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for ages 3-12 within the Montessori educational environment. 

The most important thing that happens in the atrium (or in our lives, for that matter) is that, together with children, we grow in our knowledge of Jesus, the Christ, the Good Shepherd, and in his love for us, and that we grow always more capable of responding to that love.”

–Sofia Cavalletti