Montessori Academy Classrooms
Experiencing a Montessori classroom is like opening the back of a watch. The way the different parts inter-operate is a combination of science, art and design. Maria Montessori spent a lifetime observing children in their classrooms, and she carefully designed a complete environment that is amazing in the way it supports and encourages learning and growth.
At Montessori Academy, classrooms are inviting places to learn that encourage choice, independence and enthusiasm. The extensive Montessori “works” provide a comforting sense of harmony and order. Students quickly learn to choose the work that interests and stimulates them, eventually achieving mastery. The focused activities, the gentle guidance of the teacher, and the strong sense of order all work in harmony with the student’s innate need and desire to learn.
Students have access to open areas where they can cooperate at tables, work independently on rugs or sit together for circle time. Teachers are guides in the Montessori classroom who help make sure children are challenging themselves to learn and grow and are devoting time to all of the various subject areas in the curriculum.
To learn more about the design of our classrooms, please visit our affiliate organization, the American Montessori Society: Montessori Classrooms or Montessori Learning Materials
Our True Montessori Provides...
- Long blocks of uninterrupted learning.
- Learning that follows the child, and the environment is adapted to the child's needs.
- A peaceful environment.
- Learning with manipulative, sensorial, visually interesting, well made and beautiful materials.
- Student centered rather than teacher centered class.
- An emphasis on grace, courtesy and mutual respect to teachers and each other.
- Classrooms that encourage freedom of movement and freedom of choice.
- A well planned, prepared environment without clutter.
- Multi-age students who practice peer to peer mentoring.
- Works that follow the principle that the hand teaches the mind.
- Understanding and caring for the environment.
- A deep personal connection between parents, teachers and children. Each student is considered individually.
- Three period lessons for in depth learning of timelines. Students lay out timelines then complete research and present their findings.
- Opportunities for presenting and speaking.
- Class time which is effectively high quality vs. the high quantity of time spent listening to a teacher and completing homework.