FAQs About Montessori

The Montessori Method is named for Dr. Maria Montessori–the first female Italian physician. In 1907, Dr. Montessori developed a teaching method focused on each’s child’s individual potential and the uniqueness of his or her learning experience. Dr. Montessori believed that children learn best when provided with age-appropriate opportunities for exploration, observation, and modeling in a caring, nurturing environment.

MSWP offers exceptional toddler, primary and third-year (kindergarten) programs. The Primary curriculum includes practical life activities, math, geography, science, biology, sensory material, and language instruction. In addition, we offer “specials” in the form of Spanish, Music and Art instruction once a week in our “specials” classroom!

Unlike traditional school settings, the individual child is the center of the Montessori experience. The program offers a community environment, self-directed learning opportunities, the ability for a child to progress at his or her individual pace, mixed-age classrooms that promote modeling, camaraderie, and leadership, low student/teacher ratios, multilingual lessons, and opportunities to learn and develop confidence through observation and hands-on exploration.

MSWP offers both full- and part-time programs for children ages 12 months and walking well to 6 years of age through Kindergarten.

Yes. The Montessori School of Wild Pines and its teachers are fully certified AMS or AMI Montessori Teachers. Becoming certified is a two year process on top of a bachelor degree and includes classes in child development, Montessori Philosophy and in depth training on all the materials related to the environment. All staff members must obtain 15 credit hours per year of continuing education in order to meet Colorado state regulations.

Yes. Classrooms with children of varying ages provide tremendous opportunities for modeling, challenge, and leadership that help develop self confidence and independence. In addition, since a child’s aptitude is measured individually rather than in comparison to the class, students are encouraged to develop at their own pace academically and socially.

Unfortunately, MSWP does not offer a before and after school program.

We encourage parents to take active roles in the children’s educations. Each semester, the parents of each child are required to provide 15 hours of service to the school through classroom volunteer efforts, committee work, assistance with school projects, events, or field trips. In addition, parents are welcome to attend and participate in our many fun-filled school activities–including the annual auction, holiday celebrations, Harvest Festival, Green Eggs and Ham day, open house, and end-of-year picnic.

The Montessori philosophy is not oriented to any religion. At the Montessori School of Wild Pines, we believe in studying and celebrating world religions and cultures to learn more about people and traditions.