Our philosophy

Teacher as guide

The focus of this system is the development of materials, educational techniques, and observations which support the natural development of children.  The teacher in a Montessori classroom serves less as an "instructor" and more as a guide and facilitator.  Children are encouraged to "learn how to learn", thus gaining independence and self-confidence.  Because the method is based upon developmentally appropriate activities, the child often learns through the process of education-by doing.

Stages of Learning

The Montessori school is designed to accommodate various stages of development in children which occur in roughly three year cycles.  From birth to three years of age the child is absorbing directly from the environment, almost as a sponge.  It is during this phase that many language and motor skills are acquired without formal instruction.  During the second phase from three to six years of age, the child reaches a different stage in which repetition and manipulation of the environment are critical to the development of concentration, coordination, independence, and sense of order.  The child learns skills for everyday living, sorting, grading, classifying- all of which lead to the development of writing, reading and a mathematical mind.

The classroom

Because the child goes through these various stages, Montessori classrooms are organized into three year age groupings.  This allows a greater flexibility in meeting each child's individual needs and permits the child to develop with fewer social transitions.  The environment becomes the "teacher', with the child as the initiator of his/her own education.

Teacher Training

Special training is required to become a lead Montessori teacher.  Montessori teacher education is available in almost 100 institutions located throughout the U.S. and an additional number in other countries of the world, in both special-purpose institutions and college/university settings.  An organization formed in 1991, the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE), offers an accreditation process for Montessori teacher preparation courses and is supported by Association Montessori Internationale and the American Montessori Society. 

Living Montessori

The parent perspective

A Montessori Morning

Here’s an example of a typical day in a Montessori classroom.