THE MONTESSORI APPROACH
Montessori education offers a unique experience designed to help your child maximize their potential. It is an educational environment purposefully designed to meet the child's unique developmental needs with adults who are specifically trained to observe and put them in touch with exactly what they need at that very moment to learn.
Fostering Independence
At IMS, children learn that their independence is valued. We encourage free movement, choice within carefully crafted limits, and making sure they know their voices are heard. As children get older, they begin to learn about time management. We teach practical life skills, such as cleaning and preparing food, that can be used in the classroom, home, and beyond. This emphasis on independence gives children a tremendous sense of empowerment.
Follow the Child
Teachers are trained in the specific developmental stages of the children they work with. By honoring where children are in their growth, we can create educational environments that perfectly suit their needs. We know that learning is not always linear, and that each individual child will need different challenges and supports throughout their time at our school. In addition, students at IMS have plenty of opportunities to deeply study areas of personal interest.
Beautiful Classrooms Inspire Beautiful Work
Montessori classrooms value natural materials and prefer natural lighting. Living things like plants are present, as are low shelves that allow children to easily access their work. There are areas for children to work in a group or alone, and on the floor or in a chair. Materials are of high quality, inspiring the children who use them to make their work beautiful.
Prioritizing Kindness, Acceptance, and Peace
Our students are global citizens. World geography is taught beginning at a young age and children learn about traditions from a wide range of cultures. This global education is echoed and reinforced through language immersion. We build appreciation and respect by exploring different cultures, origins, languages, and backgrounds. We take the time to teach skills like conflict resolution, and are able to help children work through social dynamics as they arise. We believe that peace and kindness are the base of any quality education, and a foundation that is necessary for the progress of humanity.
Integrating Nature
In addition to the plants that children help care for, classrooms often have a museum-like quality to them. Depending on what the children are studying, one could find a variety of interesting specimens. Dissected owl pellets, ancient fossils, and sparkling geodes are just a few of the countless possibilities. Natural studies such as botany and zoology begin at the early childhood level. We also believe it is critical to bring our students out into nature whenever possible, giving them an opportunity to learn and enjoy it firsthand.
Valuing Formative Assessment
Assessment is derived from a Latin word meaning "to sit beside." In a Montessori classroom, that is exactly what we do. Teachers sit beside children while they work, gathering data as they go. The three period lesson, a Montessori hallmark, is specifically designed to measure understanding and mastery during teaching. Teachers also observe students and take notes, allowing them to target areas in which students may need more challenge or support. Utilizing formative assessments each day allows teaching and learning to be adjusted in the moment, so each child is getting exactly what they need.
But what exactly is Montessori education?
At its core, it simply is a way of being with children that allows each child to develop fully into the person they are destined to be. Just as you make every effort to ensure your home is loving and safe – so your child feels secure and well-adjusted – we work diligently to ensure the physical environment, the teachers and the student community will meet your child’s needs with respect and support at each step in their educational journey.
“I have visited all the wonderful schools in the area and I cannot envision a more ideal institution dedicated to academic excellence, personal growth, compassion; not to mention a commitment to developing leaders, critical thinkers, and stewards of the world.”
— School Parent