As a Montessori teacher, I am often asked by others about what to look for in a Montessori school. Researching early childhood education options for your child can be an enriching yet challenging task, and every experience is unique to each child and family. As Northcrest Montessori establishes itself to provide a quality Montessori experience to families in Frederick County, Maryland, I wanted to highlight the key features of a high-caliber Montessori school.
One certified Montessori head teacher and one non-teaching assistant in each classroom
Every classroom in a Montessori schools should have only one certified Montessori head teacher in each classroom. In the United States, the mostly widely-held Montessori diplomas are through the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) or the American Montessori Society (AMS). Many AMI-certified Montessori teachers also hold a Masters in Montessori Education. Some Montessori schools may also become recognized and affiliated by AMI or AMS; this is not required (as it can be expensive for a new school), although it can be helpful once the school is established.
Currently, many states are in the process of ensuring that all Montessori schools are validated through the licensing process by the state Department of Education. This is to ensure that the high standards in a Montessori school are upheld since the name “Montessori” is not copyrighted or trademarked (in other words, any school could have added the name “Montessori” for marketing purposes but not follow the Montessori curriculum). Fortunately, Maryland is one of the first states to ensure that all Montessori schools are validated through the Maryland State Department of Education licensing process.
Additionally, each Montessori classroom should have only one non-teaching assistant. This is to ensure that the children’s environment stays free of unnecessary adult assistance and fosters independence and freedom in the children. Many states have strict regulations through the licensing process regarding the adult-to child ratio in the classroom; in this case, a non-teaching aide should be available to help in the classroom if needed and to help by making materials and supervising outdoor activities.
Mixed-age Groups
All Montessori classrooms should have a mixed age group throughout the day; in the Primary Montessori environment, children ages three to six spend the day together. There are many benefits for mixed-age groups. First of all, the child benefits from the continuity of having one teacher throughout the three-year Primary experience. Second, the younger children look up to the older children and are often motivated and encouraged to do their work by their older peers; as Dr. Maria Montessori said, “To understand what the older ones are doing fills the little ones with enthusiasm. There is a communication and a harmony between the two that one seldom finds between the adult and the small child.” Lastly, the mixed-age setting provides a natural opportunity for leadership and mentorship for the older children in the classroom, who develop self-confidence and patience.
Three-Hour Uninterrupted Work Cycle
It is important that all Primary students have the opportunity to have a three-hour uninterrupted work cycle in the morning all five days of the week. This three-hour work cycle usually presents itself a couple months into the school year once all the children have had the opportunity to adjust. As Dr. Montessori observed, “Left to themselves, the children work ceaselessly…after long and continuous activity the children’s capacity for work does not appear to diminish but to improve.”
One Complete Set of Quality Montessori Materials
Every Montessori classroom should have only one complete set of quality Montessori materials in four key areas: practical life (which includes art), sensorial (which includes geography), language and mathematics. The most respected and widely-used company in the United States is Nienhuis Montessori. Having only one of every material in the classroom ensures that only one child can work with it at any given time. In the Montessori environment, that child has the freedom of working with a material for as long as he or she would like. In essence, this leads to children learning respect for their peers and patience in waiting for their turn; both of these are important facets of the social development of the child.