About Us

Excellent Montessori School is a private, independent, non-profit school for children from six weeks through eighth grade. The school goal is to educate the whole person through the Montessori approach which addresses the intellectual, social, emotional and physical needs of each child. Montessori is a method of education based on the observations, methods, and philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori. This method of education focuses on the development of the whole child in all areas of life and supports the idea that children possess an innate desire to explore, discover, and learn. This is supported best within a social environment that inspires personal development.

The philosophy of the Excellent Montessori School community is the encouragement of the child’s interest and curiosity, and the development of responsible, independent thinking that fosters a life-long love of learning.

One of the greatest strengths of the school is the highly-trained and superbly qualified teachers who take a personal interest in their students and parents. They care about the whole person and see education as much more than simply the training of fine minds. These dedicated teachers form the foundation of a caring community in which children develop and learn to become responsible, loving human beings.

BUT WHAT EXACTLY IS MONTESSORI EDUCATION?

At its core, it simply is a way of being with children that allow each child to develop fully into the person he was destined to be. Just as you make every effort to ensure that your home is loving and safe – so that your child feels secure and well adjusted – we work diligently to ensure that the physical environment, the teachers, and the student community will meet your child’s needs with respect and support at each step in his educational journey.

Instead of expecting that he pays attention to the teacher in front of a class of 30 children, it is the Montessori teacher who pays close attention to your child which fosters a trusting relationship – an education partnership of sorts – in which he will have the faith that his teacher truly understands and respects him for the human being into which he is transforming.

Our world doesn’t need more test-takers, memorizers, or followers.

Now, more than ever, we need critical thinkers, entrepreneurs, and do-ers. Montessori education prepares children to take on the future with confidence and zeal, propelled by the gift of self-knowledge and a lifelong passion for learning.

DR. MARIA MONTESSORI

Maria Montessori was the first woman to practice medicine in Italy. A scholar of biology, psychiatry, anthropology, and medicine, she graduated from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Rome in 1896. As a physician, Dr. Montessori was in touch with young children and became profoundly interested in their development. Through careful and exhaustive scrutiny, she realized that children construct their own personalities as they interact with their environment. She also observed the manner in which they learned as they spontaneously chose and worked with the autodidactic materials she provided.

She studied children of all races and cultures in many countries around the world, soon seeing the universality of the laws of human development. She continued her observations throughout her life, widening and deepening her understanding until her death in 1952. Also a devoted humanitarian, she was three-times nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for her advocacy efforts toward a more peaceful humanity.

Maria Montessori was a scientist, and as a good one at that, she was earth-bound and highly spiritual in her pursuit of truth. Through her studies of educational methods, she declared two principles as the foundation of Montessori pedagogy: the universal characteristics of the human child, and the child as a unique, unrepeatable, respectable, and admirable individual to be unconditionally accepted as one of life’s most marvelous expressions.

HISTORY TIMELINE

1896: Maria graduates to great public acclaim from the University of Rome School of Medicine. She is the first woman in Italy to receive a medical degree. Maria also studied anthropology and psychiatry. As an early feminist, she represents Italy at the 1896 Women’s Conference in Berlin where, among other things, she is a strong advocate for equal pay.

1896-1907: Dr. Montessori’s work brings her into close contact with children. During this period, the Italian Minister of Education appoints her as the Director of the Scuola Ortofrenica. This institution was dedicated to the care and education of youngsters that were considered “cognitively challenged.” Through the development of her Montessori method, many of these eight-year-old students are able to pass standards testing with above-average scores.

1907: Dr. Montessori opens Casa de Bambini or “Children’s House” for children ages three to six years in one of the poorest neighborhoods in San Lorenzo, Italy.

1913: Dr. Montessori makes her first visit to the United States.; Montessori Educational Association is founded by Alexander Graham Bell and his wife, Mabel.

1915: Panama-Pacific International Exhibition in San Francisco: Dr. Montessori receives international attention with her “glass house” schoolroom exhibit. During this visit, Dr. Montessori leads a teacher training course while in the states.

1922: Italian government asks Dr. Montessori to return to become a government inspector of schools.

1929: Dr. Montessori founds the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) in Amsterdam, the Netherlands with her son, Mario, to ensure the preservation of her educational principles.

1939: Dr. Montessori and her son travel to India to give a series of teacher training courses. Both are detained in India during World War II.

1947: Dr. Montessori starts a training center in London and continues to spend time in India.

1949: Dr. Montessori is nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

1950: Dr. Montessori is nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

1951: Dr. Montessori is nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

1952: Dr. Montessori died in the Netherlands assured that her legacy would be continued through the work of the Association Montessori Internationale.