5 Clues That It Might Not Really Be Montessori School

Published December 14, 2008
Dr. Maria Montessori founded her Casa de Bambini in 1906. She blazed new trails in early education. Her experiments and research ultimately produced a worldwide movement. In the United States Montessori schools multiplied like rabbits back in the 1960's and onwards. Unfortunately for Dr. Montessori she had never trademarked the name Montessori nor did she claim any patents on her methodology.
 
The result is that there are many Montessori schools out there claiming to be the real thing.  Some schools may include elements of Dr. Montessori's methods and philosophy in their teaching.  Other schools quietly sublimate the parts of Dr. Montessori's thinking which aren't perhaps appropriate in their setting. In short ,there almost as many flavors of Montessori as there are schools. Not a bad thing in itself, but as always, do your due diligence. Caveat emptor!
 
 
Here are five things you should look for when vetting a school which purports to be Montessori.

1. Is the learning self-directed?
Montessori teachers do not teach.They are facilitators in the classic sense of that word. Dr. Montessori believed that children are capable of discovery and it is that thrill of discovery which leads to all sorts of creative enterprise. Observe a class. If you see a teacher pouring information in the children's heads, it probably isn't a real Montessori school.

2. Are the children passive or active in their learning?
Montessori children don't watch videos about math. They touch, hold and feel the numbers. They play with them. The numbers take on life and meaning of their own in the child's mind.  If you see a teacher teaching and children merely watching, it probably isn't a real Montessori school.

3. Are there several age groups in the classroom?
One of Dr. Montessori tenets was that younger children learn by following the example of older ones. Consequently you will not find the traditional grade classifications in a Montessori school. If you are shown a first grade class, it probably isn't a real Montessori school.

4. Is there a strong cultural emphasis?
The cement which binds all of Dr. Montessori's work together is the notion that children must make the world a better place when they become adults. World peace was her cherished goal. Montessori maps should be in evidence as children learn from the earliest age that there is a world outside their school walls. If you don't see a strong cultural emphasis, it probably isn't a real Montessori school.

5. Is the school a member of the American Montessori Society?
Of the approximately 8,000 Montessori schools in the U.S. only 1,100 are members of the AMS. While membership in AMS is no guarantee as to the quality of the education a particular member school offers, it does hold the school accountable to the Society's Code of Ethics and principles of membership which the AMS stands for. Finally be sure to ask if the teachers are credentialed by the American Montessori Society.
 
More Resources
 

Read Related Schools Articles:

Different kinds of schools, schools in various locations, associations and directories.

  • Reviews: Gossip Girl and NYC Prep
    Two television series about private schools have received a certain amount of buzz recently. Gossip Girl airs on CW. NYC Prep is on Bravo.

About Schools

Associations

National, state and regional association of private schools

  • National Associations
    As you research schools, check the national and state associations. Is the school you are considering a member? If not, why not?
  • Regional Associations
    Some states do not have their own private school associations. Schools band together across state lines forming regional associations. These associations have the same purpose as state associations. More here.
  • State Associations
    Do the schools you are researching belong to state independent school associations? If not, find out why not!

Directories

Guides and web sites with lists of schools

  • Directories
    A list of directories of private and independent schools.
  • Guides To Private Schools
    Do you prefer to peruse a book rather than going online to find private schools? If so, there are some excellent guides to private schools available.

Kinds of Schools

Various kinds of schools

  • Alternative Schools
    Sometimes a regular school is not the right fit for a child. Perhaps she needs an alternative school.
  • Classical Christian Schools
    Classical Christian schools combine strict adherence to Christian beliefs with classical principles of education.
  • Semester Schools
    A semester school allows you to experience new surroundings, new environments, different ways of life and much more.
  • Hockey Schools
    Got an aspiring hockey player in your family? Many American private schools enjoy a great reputation for excellent hockey teams as well as superb academics.
  • Free Schools
    There are but a few free private schools in the United States. Most of them were founded by visionary businessmen who believed that children from working class and poor families should have the same educational advantages as children from families with money.
  • Progressive Schools
    Progressive schools have been around since the early 1900's. Some educators think that progressives are rebels against traditional rote learning. The progressive educators like to think of themselves as reformers. The truth is somewhere in the middle.
  • International Schools
    Sending your children to an international school might make sense if you plan on being in the U.S. only for a few years.
  • Lab Schools
    What is a lab school? It's a K-12 school or school with some variation of those grades which is operated by a university or college.
  • Military Schools
    Military schools offer structure and discipline as well as a top-notch education.
  • Montessori Schools
    Montessori schools are popular world-wide with parents of children in the primary grades.
  • The Oldest Schools
    The oldest American private school is Collegiate School in Manhattan founded in 1628.
  • Religious Schools
    Religion is important to you. You want your children to be educated in a school where your religion matters.
  • Schools For The Arts
    Schools for the artistically gifted child are in short supply.
  • The PG Year
    A PG or Post Graduate year offers time to mature and time to perfect a sport or other interests.
  • Special Needs Schools
    Do you think your son has a learning disability? Not sure what to do? A special needs school might be the way to go.
  • Waldorf Schools
    Waldorf schools offer a well thought out approach to K-12 education.

Locations

Schools in major cities

  • Boston Area Schools
    The metropolitan Boston area offers a wide range of academic and cultural activities. Just as impressive is the area's selection of private schools.
  • Litchfield County Schools
    Litchfield County, Connecticut, is home to a couple of dozen excellent schools catering to just about every need. The setting about 90 miles north of New York City is convenient to one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world.
  • Seattle Area Schools
    The Seattle area is home to many fine private schools as well as to Microsoft and Boeing.

All Categories:

Featured Partners:

Featured Partner