Montessori Theory

Each child is valued as a unique individual

Montessori education recognizes that children learn in different ways, and accommodates all learning styles
Students learn at their own pace, each advancing through the curriculum as he/she is guided by the teacher and an individualized learning plan.
Beginning at an early stage, Montessori students develop order, coordination, concentration and independence. Classroom design, materials and daily routine support the individuals “self-regulation” (the ability to educate one’s self and to think about what one is learning.
Students are part of a close, caring community.
The multi-age classroom-typically spanning three years-recreates a family structure.
Older students enjoy stature as mentors and role models; Younger children feel supported and gain confidence about the challenges ahead.
Teachers role model respect, loving kindness and a belief in peaceful conflict resolution.
Montessori students enjoy freedom within limits
Working with parameters set by their teachers, students are active participants in deciding what their focus of learning will be.
Montessorians understand that internal satisfaction drives the child’s curiosity and interest, and results in joyous learning that is sustainable over a lifetime.
Students are supported in becoming active seekers of knowledge.
Teachers provide environments where students have the freedom and the tools to pursue answers to their own questions.
Self-correction and self-assessment are an integral part of the Montessori classroom approach. As they mature, students learn to look critically at their work, and learning from their errors.
Given the freedom and support to question, to probe deeply and to make connections, Montessori students become confident, enthusiastic, self-directed learners. They are able to think critically, work collaboratively and act boldly-skills that ensure success.

Compare a Montessori Vs. Public School Education

Montessori Education	Public School Education
Teacher has a guiding role	Teacher controls classroom
Environment and method encourage self-discipline.	Teaching is done solely by teacher; collaboration is limited
Grouping encourages children to teach and collaborate	Errors in child’s work highlighted by teacher
Child spots own errors from feedback of material	Learning is enforced primarily by repetition, rewards and punishment
Child reinforces own learning by repetition of work and internal feelings of success	No organized program for self-care learning-left primarily up to parents
Multi-sensory materials enhance the learning of self-care and caring for the environment	Children are in the same chronological group
Combined classes (two- or three-year age span) offer a more natural social setting	Class seated at desks most of the time
Students “work” at various venues; group lessons on floor with freedom of movement	Entire class studies one subject at a time regardless of interest or academic level of children
Children pursue their own self-paced curriculum, individually or in small groups, in various parts of the classroom	Entire class studies one subject at a time regardless of interest or academic level of children
Long blocks of time and relatively few interruptions permit invaluable concentration	Class schedules and frequent interruptions limit child’s concentration
Critical cognitive skills developed before kindergarten	Postponement of cognitive development until first grade
Phonetically based, multi-sensory learning; more flexible writing and reading opportunities	Traditional “see and say” method
Implicit trust and respect for every child	Teacher constantly police children’s interactions
Each child learns and his/her own pace	Mass teaching method
Subjects are intertwined	Subjects are compartmentalized
Children are self-motivated	Children are rewarded and punished

Enrichment classes-all included

Included in your tuition, your child will have Spanish, Dance and music once a week. Elementary and junior high school students will also have computer science and P.E. once a week.