Welcome to Woodland Montessori School! Founded in 2003, we are an educational community dedicated to the intellectual, developmental, and social growth of our students based on the principles of Maria Montessori. Our primary mission is to create a responsive, prepared environment for children 2½–12 years of age, empowering them to be self-directed, passionate learners.

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Maria Montessori, a medical doctor and pioneer educator who founded the Montessori Method, believed that education should be child-centered, beginning with a foundational respect for each child as an individual learner. Through years of observation, Montessori discovered that children learn best when given purposeful work, independence, freedom to explore, and responsibility for their own educational environment. According to Montessori, the goal of education is “the development of a complete human being, oriented to the environment, and adapted to his or her time, place, and culture" (Montessori Today, 3). Her method, adapted from her years of research and practice, extends the view of education to all aspects of the students' lives—to the “whole child”—including emotional and social development, as well as academic learning.

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In order to allow for such an educational environment, the Montessori Method begins with a foundation of peace and courtesy. Additionally, classrooms encompass hands-on, sense-based activities that ground abstract concepts in everyday experiences. The classroom environment becomes a space where the students can feel nurtured and supported while maintaining an independent spirit for learning.

 

We believe the benefits of the Montessori Method are seen most clearly in the everyday workings of the classroom—children are at work, helping one another, problem solving, and asking questions. To learn more about our classrooms, see the Primary Program for children ages 2½–6, or the Elementary Program for ages 6–12. To see our classrooms in action and learn more about the Montessori Method, watch our video or visit Additional Resources.

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We truly believe in the Montessori Method and its continuing influence on the development of our students as independent, lifelong learners and kind, peaceful community members. We hope you take some time to learn more about our curriculum and make use of the resources on our site. Please feel free to contact us if you’d like to schedule a tour or speak with a faculty member.  

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