What is Montessori?

Montessori education is a scientific method of education developed by Dr. Maria Montessori over one hundred years ago in Italy. It is based on Dr. Montessori's belief that children go through very specific developmental levels, during each of which they exhibit different learning characteristics and different needs. Montessori believed that a child's educational setting must change at each developmental level and should correlate with the psychological characteristics of that plane of development.

In the Montessori educational setting each learning environment is richly prepared for the characteristics of that specific stage of development and includes certain foundations of Montessori principles. Every Montessori environment includes a 3-year mixed age grouping. This produces a community of learners who learn from each other as well as from the adults in the environment.

The students are encouraged to independently explore the materials and activities. The teacher is there to guide them, giving individual and small group presentations. There is a high interest level in the materials and in the presentations. Each child's independent exploration leads to natural learning as opportunities to follow each student's passions abound.

Graduates of Montessori education are generally creative, curious and independent world citizens who are committed to life-long learning. Their experience in a Montessori classroom encourages a deep respect for themselves, others and the world around them.

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Oak Hill Montessori is an independent non-profit school accredited by the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI).