Message From Admissions
Dear Families:
Many times in passing I am asked, "What is Montessori?" I usually smile and answer 'It is a way of life.' It is difficult for me or anyone to sum up the entire philosophy in a few sentences that could easily leave out an important integral aspect. As we come to know you, I hope that you begin to understand what Montessori is and all of your questions are answered and your expectations met.
We feel that choosing a school is one of the most important decisions that you will make. Our goal is to help families find the best match for their needs. Our admissions process is a multi-step process which will provide you with enough information and experience in order for you to make an educated decision. Your first step is to schedule an Admissions Tour. Secondly, an application form is submitted along with the application fee and your child's birth certificate. A Class Visit is then scheduled for your child. For the final step, both parents and/or guardians attend a Family Interview with a member of our administration. At the conclusion of these steps we all know if our school and your family is a match.
Every week in our Admissions Tour I “show and tell” our school materials and environment. I go on to explain our personality, mission and vision. I also explain that schools that are either accredited by or affiliated with the American Montessori Society (AMS) are authentic to Montessori’s vision and philosophy.
The Prepared Environment
Our environments are equipped with appropriate sized furniture. The paintings or artwork are hung at the child’s eye level. The classroom materials match the developmental needs and interests of the children. The teachers create, organize and set up curriculum for the children to select from. The environment encourages the development of internal self-discipline and motivation.
Subjects/Activities
Materials promote hands-on, concrete discovery. Children are active participants and learn on their own individualized curve. They are taught individually or in small groups. All true Montessori environments allow and encourage children to move freely and explore the classroom—of course within the ground rules. Children not only select their own work most of the time, but continue to work on tasks, returning to them over weeks or months until the work is considered “so easy” and they can teach it to younger friends. This is when a teacher knows a particular skill is mastered. During this process of choosing activities, children gain independence and a sense of individual self esteem. Children generally learn all areas of the classroom because they all share a desire to become a competent human being, however, the teacher will direct students to areas of the room that might be unfrequented. Children determine their own pace of learning. Teachers discourage comparison of student to student. Concentration and uninterrupted work time is valued.
Community
Children are placed into a “family” for 3 years and are encouraged to teach, collaborate and help each other. Because there are varying age and ability levels in each classroom, children can be working on work at whatever level they are capable of without there being a lot of competition amongst them. The children don’t tend to notice where the others are in terms of ability as so many children are working on so many different things. In addition, they tend to grasp concepts much faster because they are exposed to so much more at a younger age than they would be if kept in like age groups and only given what was deemed an appropriate lesson. Moreover, older children get an opportunity to reinforce many of their newly found skills by showing a younger child. The older children are leaders and role models for the community.
Whole Child
A Montessori education considers not only the academic needs of the child but the social and emotional ones as well. Montessori viewed children as more than scholars. She saw each child as a complete human being with dreams, fears, emotions and desires.
That is why our curriculum fosters grace & courtesy, independence, peace, honesty, integrity, respect and honor. Care of self and the environment are emphasized as a part of the curriculum. We encourage global understanding of diverse backgrounds and traditions. Moreover, we organize and participate in programs of community service that make a difference for others. This service includes our internal community as well as the outside community.
Teacher
Montessori teachers are a facilitator and resource for the children. She deliberately models behaviors and attitudes that she would like to instill in her students’ characters . She is normally warm, kind, calm and polite. She will help guide children in coming up with solutions and decisions on their own. The teacher will reinforce basic ground rules and respond empathetically to various situations and emotions. She will respond with clear and consistent limits and consequences. The Montessori teacher, or directress, is also a trained observer of the children in the classroom. Observations are recorded and used to either follow the child’s interests or lead the child to a new lesson or exploration.
If you are interested in learning more about Montessori, I would recommend reading about our educational philsophy online and the book, Montessori Today: A Comprehensive Approach to Education from Birth to Adulthood by Paula Polk Lillard. Please feel free to contact me to answer any questions that you might have or to take the first step in our admissions process by scheduling an Admissions Tour.
In the service of the child,
Diane M. Dodds
Admissions Director
dianedodds@rvmontessori.com
(908) 595-2900 x203