Why Montessori?
CountrySide Montessori School promotes self-paced, collaborative learning to ignite the passion and curiosity of our students. Montessori nurtures the child’s innate desire to learn, allowing them to develop strong academics, leadership, self-discipline, independence, and responsibility – traits they will carry with them through high school and beyond.
For over 15 years, CountrySide Montessori School has built a tradition of serving children implementing the educational philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori, an Italian physician and pioneer in child development who observed that children have an innate aptitude and desire for acquiring knowledge about their world. Montessori’s approach of “following the child” is at the root of our philosophy at CountrySide Montessori School.
An authentic Montessori environment encompasses the following principles:
- Mixed age groups
A fundamental component of the Montessori philosophy is the multi-age classroom. In a mixed group, children of various ages and backgrounds share their talents and interests. Older children serve as role models and solidify their understanding of their work by giving lessons to younger classmates. Children are exposed to a greater variety of content and are inspired by the work of others. Younger children are embraced by an established classroom community.
- Freedom for children to choose their work and work at their own paceThe Montessori curriculum is deep and broad. Rather than the child conforming to a set program, in which the entire class must complete the same work simultaneously, each child in the Montessori classroom receives the lessons for which he is ready and pursues his own interests. This flexibility allows children the time they need to fully absorb concepts and the ability to pursue work that is both exciting and challenging.
- Freedom to explore, make mistakes, and correct them independently
Montessori materials feature hands-on materials that introduce concepts on a concrete level. These early hands-on experiences allow the child to make the leap to a deep and abstract understanding. Most materials include a control of error, allowing the child to check her own work without relying upon an adult. - Prepared environments for the needs of each age group
Montessori guides design classrooms to meet children’s physical, cognitive and social needs. Child-sized furniture and hands-on materials engage children in independent work. A beautiful ordered work environment allows them to develop internal order and discipline. Open areas and group tables encourage collaboration and teamwork. In the prepared environment, children not only learn but thrive. - Stewardship of others, the community, and the environment
Peace education and lessons in Grace and Courtesy are two major components of your child’s Montessori experience. Starting with our youngest students, children learn to respect the work of their peers, speak calmly without interrupting, and care for the other children, animals, and plants in their classrooms.
Guiding your Child
Montessori teachers, or as we’ll call them, Guides, go through a rigorous certification program, on top of their Bachelor’s degree. This training gives them a deep understanding of child development and the specific needs of each child. A Montessori guide must intimately understand each child’s interests, motivations, abilities, and insecurities. It is through observation of the child that a guide ensures that they meet the classroom community as a whole as well as the individual needs of each child. At CountrySide Montessori School your guide, Hannelore Gottschalk, holds a Master’s degree in child development and family living, in addition to being an AMI trained Guide.
Accreditation Matters
CountrySide Montessori School is the only Montessori school in the area that is fully accredited by this external organization – the Association Montessori Internationale, AMI, the organization founded by Dr. Maria Montessori herself. There are only about 200 AMI Montessori schools in the United States.
This agency establishes and oversees standards of excellence for AMI Montessori schools. Accreditation is a voluntary and rigorous process that demonstrates an unparalleled level of excellence in the implementation of Montessori education and continuous improvement. Fully accredited schools are held to the highest standards of the authentic educational philosophy and scientifically-based practices of Maria Montessori.
See the Difference for Yourself
We invite you to schedule a visit to see if Montessori is a good fit for your child.