The biggest differences lie in the kind of learning experiences each school provides and the methods they use to accomplish this goal. Montessori educators believe these are important differences. These school experiences help shape how a child learns, their work habits and their future attitudes toward themselves and the world. Our students find themselves fully prepared to progress into elementary levels.

 

Cognitive and social

Students work with specially designed materials, manipulating and investigating until they master the lesson inside.

 

Grouping facilitates learning

A Montessori class is composed of students whose ages typically span 3 years. Ideally, members stay with the class, and teacher, for the entire cycle.

 

Child sets own pace

Many classrooms have an area devoted to peace and reflection: a quiet corner or table with well-chosen items to lead a child to meditative thought.

Teacher unobtrusive 

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The Montessori teacher, child, and environment may be seen as a learning triangle, with each element inextricably linked, and a vital part of the whole.  

 

Child chooses own work

You won’t find the customary rows of school desks; children work at tables or on the floor, rolling out mats on which to work and define their work space. 

 

Child spots errors

Built into many of the materials is a mechanism (“control of error”) for providing the student with some way of assessing her progress and correcting her mistakes.

Individual instruction

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Typically you’ll find him sitting on the floor or at a table, observing his students as they work or consulting with an individual or a small group.

 

Self-teaching 

Older students enjoy mentoring their younger classmates—sometimes the best teacher is someone who has recently mastered the task.

 

Repetition and success

Remember the old adage, “practice makes perfect”? I am sure we can all agree on the importance of repetition in the Montessori environment.