What is a typical Montessori School?
People have very different impressions of Montessori education.
What is a typical Montessori School?
The
Montessori Foundation and International Montessori Council celebrate diversity.
- There are more than 4000 Montessori schools throughout Canada and the
United States, and thousands more around the world.
- Montessori schools are found in church basements, shopping centers, within
public schools, and some have their own campuses with hundreds of students.
- Each school represents it’s own interpretation of Dr. Montessori’s vision.
- Most Montessori schools range from preschool to elementary grades.
- Some schools operate as not-for-profit entities. Due to their charitable status, these schools conduct fundraising to permit as many children as possible, regardless of personal financial status, to take part in their program.
How are Montessori Schools different?
The
key point to remember is that Montessori schools are not completely different
from other schools. Over the past century, Dr. Montessori’s ideas have had a
profound and growing influence on education worldwide. While individual elements of her
programs are finding their way into mainstream classrooms, there is a cumulative and
distinctly different impact of having a fully integrated Montessori program.
- Montessori schools begin with a deep respect for children as unique individuals and work from a deep concern for their social and emotional development.
- Montessori schools are warm and supportive communities of students,
teachers and parents. Children don’t get lost in the crowd!
- Montessori constantly teaches children to be kind and peaceful.
- Montessori classroom are bright and enticing environments for learning.
- Classes bring students together in multi-age groups, normally spanning three
age levels. Children stay with their teacher for three years, allowing the
teacher to know each student and tailor her teaching style to
accommodate individual learning styles.
- The teachers do not run Montessori classrooms alone. Students are taught to
manage their own community and develop independence and leadership
skills.
- Montessori assumes that children are born intelligent; they simply learn
different ways and progress at their own pace. Students are assisted in
understanding their own unique learning style and how to study most effectively. Students progress as they master new skills, moving ahead as
- Students rarely rely on text and workbooks because many of the skills and concepts that children learn are abstract, and texts simply don’t bring them to life.
- Learning is not focused on rote drill and memorization. The goal instead, is to
develop minds that fully understand their area of study.
- Students learn through hands on experience, investigation, and research.
- Montessori challenges and sets high standards for all students, not only those
considered gifted.
- Students develop self-discipline and an internal sense of purpose and motivation. These values serve them well long after they move on from Montessori.
- Most schools represent a highly diverse student population with a curriculum
that demands mutual respect and a global perspective.
- Montessori teachers facilitate learning and coach students.
- Students learn not to be afraid of making mistakes: they come to see them as
natural steps in the learning process.
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