FAQs

How much is school tuition?

Please see our tuition page.

Can I schedule a school visit?

Absolutely! In fact, we recommend it. Please contact us to arrange a tour.

What is the history of Montessori education?

The Montessori method of education was founded in 1907 by Dr. Maria Montessori, the first woman in Italy to become a physician. She based her educational methods on scientific observation of children's learning processes. Led by her discovery that children teach themselves, Dr. Montessori designed a "prepared environment" in which children could freely choose from a number of developmentally appropriate activities. Today, nearly a century after Maria Montessori's first Casa dei bambini ("children's house") in Rome, contemporary researchers continue to find strong connections between the Montessori approach and healthy social, emotional, and academic child development.

What is the difference between traditional education and the Montessori approach?

Montessori emphasizes learning through all five senses. Children in Montessori classes learn at their own pace and according to their developmental trajectory. Teachers carefully select lessons to present to each child based on his or her developmental stage. Each lesson nurtures a specific set of skills and is designed to be practiced independently or in small groups. Montessori schools place children in mixed-age classrooms, forming communities in which the older children share their knowledge with the younger children. They feel an immense sense of pride being able to teach a lesson to a younger child and be a role model for appropriate behavior and social skills.

What is the Montessori curriculum?

In the Primary Full Day classroom, Practical Life activities help children refine their sense of order, concentration, independence and coordination while they pursue purposeful activities such as table washing, flower arranging, polishing objects, and buckling shoes. Grace and Courtesy activities allow the children to practice social skills to successfully navigate many complex situations with ease. Sensorial activities isolate qualities such as color, texture, weight and shape, encouraging children to experience and explore the world through their senses. Children learn to sort, match, and grade, making meaningful connections to the environment. Language activities introduce phonetics and writing, providing children with opportunities to sound out sentences and stories. Math manipulatives introduce children to the concept of the decimal system and the four operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Through working with these concrete materials, concepts come alive and make a deep impression on the brain. In the broad Cultural area, children are introduced to puzzle maps of the continents, animal and plant kingdoms, and classifications. Art and music are integrated into the daily routine to encourage self-expression and creativity. Children learn songs, use rhythmic instruments, and engage in art projects using varied materials.

How is the Montessori classroom arranged?

The environment is arranged in work centers according to subject area. Subjects are integrated such that math, language, science, history, geography, art, and music are all present in the classroom. Children are free to move around the room instead of staying at desks. Children work on rugs or at tables either in pairs or independently. Cooperative work and community building are essential components of the Montessori classroom.

Are there opportunities for movement and play in a Montessori classroom?

A hallmark of the Montessori method is that children move freely about the classroom during their work periods. Movement is an essential component of many of the activities. Students may transition from activity to activity at their own pace, with support from their teacher. Children work on the floor, at tables, standing, and in chairs at different points throughout the day. At the Montessori Schools-Flatiron & SoHo, children also engage in structured and free play on the indoor or outdoor play space daily.

How will my child be assessed and evaluated in a Montessori classroom?

The teacher, through extensive observation and record-keeping, designs individual lessons plans that enable each child to learn, improve, and approach lessons that are challenging enough to promote interest and learning but not so challenging that they are discouraging. Teachers generate narrative reports that describe each child’s developmental progress through the year. Disciplinary issues are approached using a collaborative problem-solving method, rich with language and communication.

Are Montessori children successful at ongoing traditional schools and later in life?

Research studies show that Montessori children are well prepared for later life academically, socially, and emotionally. In addition to scoring well on standardized tests, Montessori children are ranked above average on such criteria as following directions, turning in work on time, listening attentively, showing responsibility, asking provocative questions, showing enthusiasm for learning, and adapting to new situations. Research has shown that Montessori materials and the structure of the classroom help children develop higher level executive functioning skills that are clear indicators of school readiness and future success. These skills include the development of impulse control, working memory, task persistence, grit, problem-solving, creative thinking and managing time, work space and resources.

What special training do Montessori teachers have?

Our head teacher has her AMI Montessori Certification, internationally recognized. Training includes teaching apprenticeship, child observation, and coursework covering principles of child development, Montessori philosophy, and Montessori materials.

How can I use Montessori techniques at home with my child?

Look at your home through your child's eyes. Children crave a sense of both belonging and independence, and they feel this by participating fully in the routines of everyday life. "Help me do it by myself" is often a preschooler’s mantra. Find ways for your child to participate in meal preparation, cleaning, gardening, and caring for clothes, shoes, and toys. Follow your child's interest and avoid interrupting her when she is engrossed in an activity. In school, only a trained Montessori teacher can properly implement Montessori education using the carefully designed materials in a Montessori "prepared environment." Social development comes from being in a positive and unique environment with other children – an integral part of Montessori education.