The Montessori Method

Our school philosophy is based on the method of education developed by Italian physician and educator Dr. Maria Montessori and the belief that we all have a desire to learn.

The goals of Montessori education are to cultivate each child’s natural desire to learn, acquire and master skills, learn responsibility and cooperation, and to foster strong, positive feelings about oneself and others. The method addresses the total child – developing social skills, emotional growth, physical coordination, and cognitive preparation, within a thoughtfully prepared environment.

The Montessori classroom is prepared with materials selected and designed to meet the needs of each individual child. There is a wide range of materials to allow varied levels of difficulty and challenge.

Characteristics that distinguish a Montessori program are:

Mixed Age Groupings

Each class is comprised of children of multiple ages.

  • Nido: 8 weeks to 15-18 months
  • Toddler House: 16 months to 2.9-3 years
  • Children’s House: 2 years 9 months to 6 years
  • Kinder House: 4yr 10mo to 6 years old (5 by 11/1)

This allows for peer teaching, broad social interactions, individual differences in learning style and pace, and creates a social community of family. It provides the youngest students with role models and the older students with peer teaching opportunities for reinforcement of learning.

Individualized Instruction

Each child learns and develops at her/his own pace through the use of materials and lessons introduced by trained staff. The integrated curriculum is introduced sequentially and at the developmental level of each individual child, allowing every child to work to capacity and at their ability level.

Child Directed Program

Within the structure of the classroom and curriculum, children are encouraged to pursue their interests, make responsible choices for themselves and direct themselves to constructive activities. Since children’s interests vary, this opportunity results in an independent, self-motivated learner.

Prepared Environment

The school environment is prepared with a variety of specially designed Montessori materials that are multi-sensory, sequential, and self-correcting. Educational materials are carefully selected to meet the needs of range of students in each class.

Specialized Staff

In addition to background and experience in early childhood education, educators receive specialized training in the Montessori Method. Training programs throughout the world prepare and certify teachers in the field. The course of study includes educational philosophy, academic training in the curricula areas, early childhood development, classroom management, and use of materials for individual lessons.

Hands-on Approach To Learning

The use of materials for learning in the Montessori classroom is an integral part of the program from preschool through kindergarten.  Children learn by doing.

Whole Language Approach to Reading

Literacy materials are found in all areas of the curriculum.  Activities and lessons are student generated according to ability and learning style.

Learning is an exciting process of discovery, concentration, and mastery.

Montessori Method

Benefits of a Montessori education:

Harvard Business Review: Montessori Builds Innovators

The world is a really interesting place, and one that should be explored. Can there be any better foundation for an innovator in training?

Forbes: Is Montessori the Origin of Google and Amazon?

The approach is over 100 years old but the ideas are timeless. The world is finally catching up with Maria Montessori’s insights.

Harvard Business Review: How Do Innovators Think?

The most innovative entrepreneurs were very lucky to have been raised in an atmosphere where inquisitiveness was encouraged… A number of them also went to Montessori schools, where they learned to follow their curiosity.

Science Journal: Evaluating Montessori Education

Montessori education provides better outcomes than traditional methods, according to study published in the journal Science.

Wired: Article on Google Co-Founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin

“You can’t understand Google unless you know that both Larry and Sergey were Montessori kids…This is baked into how Larry and Sergey approach problems. They’re always asking, why should it be like that? It’s the way their brains were programmed early on.” – Marissa Mayer, CEO of Yahoo!