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What Makes a Montessori Education?

Unique. Authentic. Montessori.

There is nothing quite like the authentic Montessori Method for early childhood education. This unique approach enables children to discover their true potential and develop an organized, engaged, and focused mind. The Montessori experience prepares them to be curious, lifelong learners, as well as good citizens, future innovators, and able leaders.

The Montessori Experience

One Day in the Life of a Montessori Student

Discover the calm, peaceful environment of a Montessori classroom, where children work together to explore, learn, and grow. See daily experiences of life at our schools, as the combination of an authentically prepared Montessori environment and our MACTE-trained teachers guide children through exploration to attain independence and prepare for the future.

The Elements of Montessori

Family-style Meals

With our Grow Fit initiative, we serve healthy meals and snacks to nourish growing children. Physical fitness is also stressed each day, so children develop healthy habits for a healthy future.

The Elements of Montessori

Experienced Montessori Teachers

Primary and Elementary teachers at Montessori Unlimited receive MACTE-accredited training (Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education). Each teacher creates their own classroom and lesson guide, ensuring unique classroom experiences. Excellent teacher-to-student ratio allows for numerous individual projects. Teachers are trained to ask good questions to guide children toward self-determination and independence.

The Elements of Montessori

Prepared Environment

Practical Life experiences focus on basic movements, fine motor skills, and independence; development of a child's intellect and concentration help develop an orderly way of thinking. Sensorial learning experiences focus on the refinement of all senses. Academic experiences explore language, math, science, geography, and the arts.

The Elements of Montessori

Natural Learning Materials

Unique, authentic Montessori materials offer tangible, hands-on learning experiences. The learning of sounds paired with textured letter shapes provide immersive language opportunities that will lead to the building of words and reading. Math concepts of size, shape, and quantity are introduced with three-dimensional materials.

The Elements of Montessori

Self-guided Work

Following an initial teacher demonstration, children select their own work. Small ​rugs for the floor and trays for tables define work areas so children keep materials in order and give others proper space. The freedom of choice encourages curiosity, discovery, and independence

The Elements of Montessori

Mixed-age Classrooms

Younger children learn from older children. Encourages children to teach and help each other. Fosters a strong sense of community, collaboration, and respect. Creates an atmosphere for social-emotional development.

We cannot create observers by saying ‘observe,’ but by giving them the power and the means for this observation and these means are procured through education of the senses.

– Dr. Maria Montessori

​Maria Montessori was born in 1870 and grew up to become Italy’s first female physician. Her medical work led her to working with children, especially challenged ones, through the University of Rome’s psychiatric clinic. Helping these children develop the skills to learn paved the way for her second career as an educator, founded in the idea that individual development would benefit from children being free to pursue their own interests, at their own pace, in a specially prepared environment with specific teaching materials. The reputation of the Montessori Method quickly spread, with schools opening in Switzerland, England, India, China, Mexico, Syria, and New Zealand. The first Montessori class was taught in the United States in 1912, by Alexander Graham Bell.

The Unique Approach of Montessori

If you're more familiar with conventional teaching methods and school environments, be prepared to discover something truly unique and different in a Montessori classroom. Learn more about the ways that a Montessori education is like no other approach.

See What Makes Montessori Different

Classrooms: The Prepared Environment

The Montessori classroom offers endless opportunities and activities in the areas of Practical Life, Sensorial, and Academic (including Language, Math, Geography, Art, Music, and Science.) Learning experiences range from simple (often independent) to complex (more group-oriented).

Explore the Classroom

​Montessori Programs at Our School

Infants

Infants

This wonderful and cozy environment is specially designed for mobility and to foster growing independence.

Toddlers

Toddlers

Toddlers, using their senses and emerging problem-solving skills, learn about their world.

Primary

Primary

Tangible academic lessons and community experiences engage children in learning, in a multi-age classroom.

Elementary

Elementary

Children work at their own pace in a non-competitive environment, to begin learning abstract principles.

Teacher Feature

With an incredible 22 years of knowledge, Ms. Shaila is a Master Montessori Guide. She specializes in patience, kindness, and thoughtfulness within our community at the Naperville Montessori School in Illinois. Ms. Shaila is innovative, inclusive, and a great team leader who takes new assistants and newly trained guides under her wing offering them insight on their journeys as Montessori professionals. Ms. Shaila’s students are offered freedom of choice, movement, and independence daily as they navigate the self-directed learning opportunities in her carefully prepared environment. She is a wonderful, caring person loved by both current and former students and families alike. Ms. Shaila perfectly embodies the spirit of Dr. Montessori’s philosophy.

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