Why Montessori?
Children and adolescents have an innate curiosity about the world around them which helps them in their process of self-discovery. Montessori education provides a carefully prepared environment with enticing and precise materials that supports the natural development of each unique individual. A highly qualified Montessori trained teacher acts as a catalyst to helping each child develop self-confidence as they guide children to explore their interests, find joy in learning while fostering social skills, and encouraging them to become independent learners who can work and collaborate harmoniously with others.
A Montessori indoor classroom is designed strategically and with purpose to facilitate independent learning and exploration by the child. It is typically and authentically a calming, peaceful, inviting space with ample natural lighting, fairly neutral colors, naturally made wooden learning materials situated on shelves that are easily accessible by children. As you enter our Montessori environment, beautifully organized wooden furniture spans the room, while plants add a natural and calming feel, along with musical instruments, and a peace corner that composes an organized and minimalist environment. We provide children with the opportunity to care for animals, whether it be indoors with a fish & turtle tank or an outdoor animal enclosure that provides a tranquil visual oasis. The Montessori classroom has a place for everything, and everything is in its place, but it also extends far beyond the classroom walls.
Hands-on Learning
Children learn through exploration and manipulation of specially designed multi-sensory materials, that aid in the foundational understanding of concepts at a concrete level. These early hands-on experiences allow children to confidently move through a sequential order, leading them from the logic of the materials, into the next stage of development where they delve deeper into an abstract understanding.
Respect for the Whole Child
Students are met as unique individuals by Montessori guides that determine each child’s academic, as well as social and emotional needs through careful observation. Children are guided through their journey of self-discovery and academics, progressing at their own pace, while developing a sense of independence, responsibility, and confidence.
Mixed Age Groups
Children of various ages and backgrounds share their talents and interests in a multi-age learning environment and gain inspiration by the work of others. Older children serve as role models and demonstrate mastery of concepts by presenting lessons to younger classmates. Children are exposed to a rich and varied curriculum that promotes self-discovery, the development of social skills, as well as academic achievement.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
The opportunities to learn are not bound by the materials in the classroom. They are as limitless as each individual’s desire to know and grow. Using the materials on the shelves lead the children to exploration beyond the classroom walls, out into the community and the world beyond: to libraries, museums, nature preserves and parks, observatories, botanical gardens, beaches, and concert halls where children forge ahead with their investigations that naturally influences inquiry-based learning.
Stewardship
With sustainability and awareness at the forefront of our agenda, we aim to educate students to become peaceful leaders who are environmentally, socially, culturally, and economically conscious, within a learning community that is their own; filled with love, order, opportunity for communication and language, movement, beauty, and wonder. Environmental consciousness and responsibility is woven into the children’s daily experiences, as we work together in our mission to create a deep respect for and relationship with the natural world, by participating in activities that help us to learn about and assist in improving the biodiversity or health of an ecosystem.
Encouragement for Independence
Independence is a continuous and organic process fostered through freedom of choice within limits; and it looks different at different stages of development. Children grow up feeling empowered and safe in their abilities to make sensible choices when we remove barriers, demonstrate trust, and allow them to reach their full potential. In turn, children become happier and more confident by learning how to trust themselves and become productive members of their community.
“Our care of the child should be governed, not by the desire to make him learn things, but by the endeavor always to keep burning within him that light which is called intelligence”
— Maria Montessori, Spontaneous Activity in Education