What can a Montessori school look like?

Children spend a part of each day doing independent work. Much of the learning is hands on: children experiment, learning math and science with objects and experiments.

macdowell-montessori-milwaukee

MacDowell Montessori School, Milwaukee, WI. Photo: Keith Whitescarver, National Center for Montessori in the Public Center

 

Children teach each other.

 Drummond Montessori, Chicago. Photo: Keith Whitescarver, National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector

Drummond Montessori, Chicago. Photo: Keith Whitescarver, National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector

 

Children of multiple ages share a class together. Teachers have children in their class for several years, and form strong relationships with them.

East Dallas Community School, Texas. Photo: Keith Whitescarver, National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector

East Dallas Community School, Texas. Photo: Keith Whitescarver, National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector

 

Large classrooms offer many spaces for exploration.

Compass Montessori High School, Golden, CO. Photo: Keith Whitescarver, National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector

Compass Montessori High School, Golden, CO. Photo: Keith Whitescarver, National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector

 

The Montessori approach pioneered the idea of child-sized furniture.  Everything in a Montessori classroom is designed so children can access it.

 Lindsley Park Community School, Dallas, TX. Photo: Keith Whitescarver, National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector

Lindsley Park Community School, Dallas, TX. Photo: Keith Whitescarver, National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector