Maria Montessori believed that a true initiation into adult life required students to take ownership and pride over their own work and to learn economic self-sufficiency through real-life experience. The NNM Adolescent Program puts this idea into action. Sandwich Shop is an integral part of the NNM adolescent experience.
Each trimester, one of the three junior high classrooms is responsible for running all aspects of a school lunch service, known as “Sandwich Shop,” from which all NNM students and staff can purchase meals, sandwiches and snacks. Much of the food is made from scratch and many ingredients come from the NNM Farmessori garden. Students apply for and are “hired” for roles such as Manager, Accountant, Public Relations Coordinator, Order Taker and Worker Bee. In addition to the basic economics lessons, students learn first-hand about decision making, problem solving, management skills and the intense mental and physical challenges of running a business.
All profits go to community projects, charities and donations that the students decide upon themselves. In previous years, donations have been made to places such as Friends of the Orphans, Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos, the Heifer Project, Action Against Hunger, Chicagoland food banks and the NNM Brillson Scholarship Fund.