Why Montessori?

We know parents have choices when it comes to their children’s education. We know these choices are not easy. Why do so many families choose Montessori?

Montessori education has been successfully serving children and families around the world for over a century. The basics remain - and for good reason. Our methods are consistently backed by current research in education and human development. As we move forward into a new future, we believe Montessori has what it takes to prepare children.

Montessori Meets Children Where They Are, Without Judgement

Montessori schools are specifically designed to allow individual children to move at their own pace. We know that learning is not linear, and that children are not ready to learn specific skills according to an adult-prepared timeline, or in perfect harmony with their peers. Children who need more support with certain skills get that support, and those who are ready to move ahead are able to find the challenges they crave. We do not teach a whole class of children the same skill at the same time. While this may seem more efficient from the perspective of an adult tasked with teaching, it’s not necessarily what serves the children the best. No two people should be expected to grow at the same rate, and it’s our job as educators to meet children where they are and give them the support they need to get where they want to be.

Our School Cultivates Community

A Montessori school is more than just a school. First and foremost we are there for our students, and we believe schools have the capacity to be so much more. We aim to make meaningful connections between everyone involved. Some of the ways we do this include:

• Giving our teachers opportunities to connect with one another for development
• Encouraging our teachers to form connections within the larger Montessori network
• Making sure parents and teachers have ample time to discuss each child’s growth and needs
• Providing opportunities for parents to form relationships with one another
• Forming bonds between children at different levels
• Reaching out to make connections with the local community
• Giving our educators and families a voice in school decision making

Montessori Emphasizes More Than Just Academics...

Lots of people use the phrase ‘teaching to the whole child’ but in Montessori schools, we mean that on a very deep level. We integrate the arts and movement into everything our children do, rather than isolating these areas of study into a separate class. We intentionally teach children how to navigate and resolve conflict and how to adhere to grace and courtesy social norms.

...But the Academics Are a Huge Strength

The above-mentioned being said, Montessori academics are often hailed as some of the highest standards there are. It is not uncommon to see four-year-olds in our schools reading, six-year-olds completing long division problems, and nine-year-olds learning about the various life cycles of animals and plants. These tasks are completed joyfully, in part because we present information in such a way that children discover it for themselves rather than passively taking in facts given by an adult.

Montessori Aims to Lift Up Humanity

Montessori schools aim for peace. This starts between individuals and involves teaching our youngest students how to be kind and gracious toward one another. Another important aspect of our work is having great respect for the environment and other living beings, as well as a reverence for the wide diversity of cultures around the globe. Combined, these elements are meant to cultivate children’s respect for themselves and others, as well as a desire to ensure connection and fairness for all.