Montessori educational philosophy has several unique components to it. These fundamental tenets make each classroom a special and unique place.
All of our classrooms are multi-age classrooms, usually with students ranging in three-year spans. This allows each child an opportunity to experience being a newcomer and eventually a leader in the classroom community. Strong and meaningful relationships are built among students, teachers and parents because children stay with the same teacher for three years. These relationships are crucial to providing the best education possible. The classroom is a community of learners who learn from one another and form enduring bonds.
The classroom teacher acts a guide and facilitator, rather than a traditional educator. The teacher provides lessons and guides the children in their pursuit of their interests and passions and spends most of the time working with small groups of students as the rest of the class works independently.
While we teach all of the traditional academic subjects, we pay special attention to the social and emotional needs of each child. Responsibility, independence, care of the community and joy of learning are all valued qualities that the students learn in every classroom. Class performances, week-long trips, cultural field trips, Flex Fridays and Sandwich Shop are all examples of the many opportunities where students can learn and practice these essential life-long skills.
Each age level has its own unique characteristics and needs. Our classroom environments, curriculum and lessons are all designed with those important ideas in mind.