Montessori Matters | The MCS Blog

If you’ve ever been in my office, you’ll know why I never harbored the illusion that my children would be raised in a Montessori-inspired prepared environment at home. Far from it, as my children and now grandchildren will be eager to tell you. (“Have fun in your messy house!” was one hilarious farewell by the 4-year-old recently.) In spite, or maybe because of this, I was always a natural in appreciating the genius of the Practical Life activities in the Montessori classro

Paying calls to each of the classrooms in the early weeks of school is always a revelation. I have so much admiration for children of all ages as they learn to navigate this thing called school, and I feel recommitted to the Montessori philosophy every time I observe these busy communities. In an age where it often feels as if there is too much extraneous or false data, it is more important than ever to have children who learn and practice observation, analysis, concentration

Last Thursday, our rising first and fourth year elementary students got to step up to next year’s program level. Current Kindergarteners and third years who are returning to MCS spent a half-day experiencing things new and familiar, guided by teachers and mentored by older peers. Watching this, I couldn’t help but think about the value of a multiage classroom. Mixed age classrooms are a core practice in Montessori classrooms. The benefits of being in a diverse community a

As we start our Re-Enrollment period for current students, it seems like a good time to look at what makes a Montessori education so powerful and, in particular, what makes Montessori Community School a good school of choice for children. Our goal is, as Dr. Montessori said so eloquently, “to keep burning within [the child] that light that is called the intelligence.” “Education for life” is both descriptive and aspirational. MCS students form a solid foundation in life sk

Dr. Montessori’s writing and methodology are striking in its acknowledgement that work is an essential part of growth, and that, while “unremitting,” toil is its own reward. When work becomes our joy, we are fulfilled on the deepest level, finding purpose, activity and meaning in every moment. This is central to our identity as a Montessori school. From the reverence that is displayed in every aspect of the learning process–the selection of task, the designing of a defi