Developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, Montessori classrooms use manipulative materials, small group lessons, and age-appropriate activities to challenge student curiosity, promote self-discipline, and encourage learning through discovery. Trained teachers prepare multi-aged environments with developmentally-appropriate materials for students to discover the joy of learning. Lessons are aligned with state standards, and an open classroom environment provides ample opportunity for small group instruction, one-on-one instruction, positive teacher-student relationships, and student-driven learning.

The Montessori Classroom

 

Montessori classrooms are staffed by two adults (usually one teacher and one assistant), and student enrollment is limited to 28 per classroom. This creates an environment where students receive much higher levels of individualized attention than what is possible in traditional (and often overcrowded) classrooms. This higher level of individualized attention also helps students better navigate the creative instructional materials which stock each Montessori classroom.

 

Another unique characteristic of Montessori classrooms is that students are assigned to classrooms by age rather than by grade. Thus, each class contains multiple age/grade levels, as follows:

• Early Childhood: 3 - 6 years old.
  
  
• Lower Elementary: 6 - 9 years old.
  
  
• Upper Elementary: 9 - 12 years old.
  
  
• Middle Grades: 12 - 15 years old.
  
  
• Upper Grades: 15 - 18 years old.

The multiple age/grade-level model encourages the development of leadership and higher-order thinking through the process of peer teaching, peer modeling, and cooperative learning.

 

Study Areas

 

Like a traditional education, a preschool/school-age Montessori education contains six areas of study: Practical Life, Sensorial, Cultural, Science, Language, and Math. What makes the study of these areas unique is the approach that a Montessori-trained teacher uses to create learning experiences . . . It's an approach which encourages students to independently explore topics which interest them under the teacher's guidance. Over time, this teaches students to become life-long learners.

 

Practical Life	Sensorial	Cultural	Science	Language	Math
Teaches real-world "adult" skills. Activities improve grace and courtesy; self-care; movement control; and environment care.	Teaches understanding of color, weight, shape, texture, size, sound, and smell. Activities develop, broaden, order, and refine sense perception.	Teaches an expanded awareness of the world and society. Activities encourage in-depth exploration of cultural issues.	Teaches curiosity and respect for nature. Activities develop the ability to observe, analyze, and solve problems.	Teaches listening, reading, writing, and speaking ability. Activities encourage the development of early literacy.	Teaches an understanding of systems and quantities crucial for math success. Activities build upon the foundations learned in other study areas.