Why Our School

About Montessori

Montessori (pronounced MON-tuh-SORE-ee) is a comprehensive educational approach from birth to adulthood based on the observation of children’s needs in a variety of cultures all around the world.

Beginning her work almost a century ago, Dr. Maria Montessori developed this educational approach based on her understanding of children’s learning tendencies as they unfold in prepared environments for multi-age groups (0-3, 3-6, 6-9, 9-12, and 12-14). The Montessori environment contains specifically designed, manipulative materials for development that invite children to engage in learning activities of their own individual choice. Under the guidance of a trained teacher, children in a Montessori classroom learn by making discoveries with the materials, cultivating concentration, motivation, self-discipline, and a love of learning. Today, Montessori schools are found worldwide, serving children from birth through adolescence. In the United States, there are more than 4,000 private Montessori school and close to 200 public schools with Montessori-styled programs.

The Role of the Teacher

The function of the teacher in a Montessori classroom differs considerably from that of the traditional teacher, hence, Dr. Montessori used the term “Directress.” The directress brings children into contact with the world in which they live and the tools by which they learn to cope with the world. She is, first of all, a very keen observer of the individual interests and needs of each child; her daily plan proceeds from her observations rather than from a prepared curriculum. She demonstrates the correct use of materials as they are individually chosen by the children, carefully watches the progress and keeps a record of their work. Individual children’s total development as well as their progress toward self-discipline is carefully guided by the directress, who prepares the environment, directs the activities, and offers each child enticement and stimulation. The mutual respect of the student and the teacher-guide is the most important factor in this process.

Did you know that…

• We are a small, friendly neighborhood school with only one location.
• Many of our exceptional teachers have worked at the school for more than 20 years.
• Our teachers are fully qualified, who work well both individually and as a team.
• In 2013, we completely renovated our playground with custom built play structures and redesigned spaces.
• We have classroom pets and our world-famous rainbow chickens inhabit their custom coop in the yard.
• Each class has the opportunity to cultivate its own raised vegetable garden.
• We encourage recycling and composting, and have a worm bin.

Famous Montessori Graduates

Just a few Montessori students you may have heard of.

The Ungraded Classroom

The use of individual materials permits a varied pace that accommodates many levels of ability in the classroom. If the classroom equipment is to be challenging enough to provoke a learning response, it must be properly matched to the sensitivities of each of the children. The most satisfying choice can usually be made only by the children themselves.

The Montessori classroom offers children the opportunity to choose from a wide variety of materials at different levels of ability. The child can grow as their interests lead them from one level of complexity to another. They work in a group composed of individuals of various ages, abilities, cultures and interests. This affords the younger children a graded series of models for imitation, and the older ones an opportunity to reinforce their own knowledge by helping the younger ones. Hence, each child adds to the group as they receive from it what they need.