A Montessori education develops children:

• Who are moral beings.

• Who are confident, competent learners.

• Who are independent.

• Who are autonomous.

• Who are intrinsically motivated.

• Who are academically prepared.

• Who are socially responsible.

• Who are free within limits.

• Who are spiritually aware.

• Who are able to handle external authority.

• Who become citizens of the world.

•Who become stewards of the planet.

How do we do this?

A Montessori education is about learning by doing and by teaching others. An ancient Chinese proverb says, "I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand." At MSR we provide specially designed, multi-sensorial materials that engage children constantly in their own learning. With cross-age, cross-grade groupings in every three year developmental cycle, children internalize what they have learned by teaching younger children and by being mentors and role models.

A Montessori school creates a carefully crafted prepared environment where every element of the curriculum, the materials, and the classroom is designed to engage the young learner. The materials respond to the developmental needs of children while building basic concepts and skills. Much of the work is self-correcting, freeing the teacher to carefully observe and keep detailed records of the progress made by the children. MSR classrooms neither feel nor look like factories. Instead, they are places that feel like home and facilitate cooperative learning and integrated curriculum.

This approach demands special professionals confident and skilled enough to allow the child to be an active participant in his or her learning. It also means that school decisions are driven by what is best for children. MSR Directors and Directresses are experienced, certified professionals who have had rigorous Montessori training and practical internship experience beyond undergraduate or graduate school. The same demanding level of education, training, background, and experience is required of all our faculty, regardless of level, including Toddler's, Children's House, Elementary, and Middle School.

A Montessori education includes "going out" experiences that extend the classroom beyond its walls. Children initiate, help plan, research, and help formulate these purposeful excursions. The responsibility children take for themselves distinguishes these experiences from "field trips," and can be done with age appropriate destinations. For a very young child, going out to another building on can be a going out experience. Middle schoolers, on the other hand, plan the itinerary and research background information and questions for the trips to Colonial Williamsburg, Boston, and Washington. Not only do students assume responsibiity, but these experiences are occasions for learning about the outside world and teaching Grace and Courtesy.

A Montessori education cannot be conveyed by words alone. Come for a visit to see for yourself the magic and success of this approach.