What is Montessori Education?

Montessorians believe children are motivated participants in their education. We emphasize hands on learning, individualized lessons, and cooperative social interactions. The Montessori Method supports a mastery learning model which allows students the opportunity to have experiences and work with materials at a pace that matches their ability and readiness to learn. Teachers present new concepts as the child demonstrates their ability to move on. A large part of the teacher’s work is student observation in order to tailor challenge and guidance to the individual students.

The Montessori Method is over 100 years old, and is a scientifically designed and tested approach that capitalizes on the child’s human drive and curiosity to learn. It recognizes and works with the fundamental human needs for autonomy and connection, and offers specific types of freedom within a prepared educational environment.

The Montessori method is designed to educate the whole being. Experiences are designed for the head, heart, and hands. This means we are cultivating and offering high quality academics, fostering healthy social/emotional interactions, and providing work that is experiential and hands on.

Montessori principles call for education that brings peace to the child’s inner world, peace in their community, and peace to affect the larger world. The goal of Montessori education is to allow students to demonstrate their nature as motivated, respectful, and kind individuals who are independent and critical thinkers.

Dr. Maria Montessori’s dream was to achieve world peace through the education of children. Students with different needs, abilities, strengths, and challenges will come together and learn in an environment of respect, acceptance, patience, and understanding. Montessorians believe that when students develop a strong confidence in themselves, they are able to make remarkable strides in their academic achievement. Students who experience Montessori education will be prepared to be leaders in our world and advocates for all of humanity.