the montessori
method
Montessori education is student-led and self-paced but guided, assessed, and enriched by knowledgeable and caring teachers, the leadership of their peers, and a nurturing environment.
Within the community of a multi-age classroom—designed to create natural opportunities for independence, citizenship, and accountability—children embrace multi-sensory learning and passionate inquiry. Individual students follow their own curiosity at their own pace, taking the time they need to fully understand each concept and meet individualized learning goals.
Given the freedom and support to question, probe deeply, and make connections, Montessori students grow up to be confident, enthusiastic, and self-directed learners and citizens, accountable to both themselves and their community. They think critically, work collaboratively, and act boldly and with integrity. What better outcome could you wish for your children?
“To stimulate life, leaving it free, however, to unfold itself… that is the first duty of the educator.”
Dr. Maria Montessori
Mixed-Age Classrooms
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Primary Class is from age 3-6
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Lower School is from age 6-12
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Upper School is from age 12-graduation
Our classrooms each contain students of mixed ages to boost social skills, emotional wellbeing, and improved academic outcomes. Children move forward at their own pace, achieving not just a passing grade but full mastery of a subject. Older students have the chance to become mentors to their younger classmates and younger children naturally look up to and emulate older children. Older students build patience and empathy, and the process of teaching by example, communicating effectively, correcting mistakes — reinforces their mastery of a subject.
“There are many things which no teacher can convey to a child of three, but a child of five can do it with the utmost ease. To understand what the older ones are doing fills the little ones with enthusiasm. There is a communication and a harmony between the two that one seldom finds between the adult and the small child.”
Dr. Maria Montessori
Uninterrupted Work Periods
The uninterrupted work period is fundamental to the Montessori approach, which recognizes and respects individual variations in the learning process. Within the Montessori environment, the children need to have time to work through various tasks and responsibilities at their own pace. This uninterrupted work period is vitally important, as that is when the building of coordination, concentration, independence and order, and the assimilation of information are able to occur.
While the work will look different for each age group, at all program levels children will be given lessons in each subject in a specific sequence. Students may choose any material they have had a lesson on to work with, understanding that there are certain requirements that must be fulfilled each week. It is their responsibility to use their time wisely to complete their work though teachers will help guide them in the right direction.
"When the children had completed an absorbing bit of work, they appeared rested and deeply pleased."
Dr. Maria Montessori
The Materials
A hallmark of Montessori is specially designed sensorial materials that provide a hands-on approach to learning, helping a child develop and refine their five senses.
Sensorial materials have what is called "control of error," meaning that the child not only works with the material, but has a way to check their work rather than ask the teacher if the work is correct. This is done to help promote independence and problem solving on the part of the child.
Natural lighting, soft colors, and uncluttered spaces set the stage for activity that is focused and calm. Learning materials are arranged on accessible shelves according to curricular area, fostering independence as students go about their work.
"During many years of experiment and observation, I discovered that children learn naturally through activity, and that their characters develop through freedom. But these are general principles, which require practical application, and the Montessori materials have been evolved to meet this need."
Dr. Maria Montessori
Highly Trained Teachers
A Montessori guide understands the importance of enabling children to develop naturally. The teacher, or guide, introduces them to challenging and developmentally appropriate lessons and materials based on observations of each child’s unique interests, abilities, and social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development.
Each primary and elementary class also has one non-teaching assistant. The classroom assistant supports the teacher by making materials, noting observations, supervising outdoor activities, and assisting with “going-outs.” They work in tandem to see the whole child and encourage their curiosity and independence.
“It is necessary for the teacher to guide the child without letting him feel her presence too much, so that she may always be ready to supply the desired help, but may never be the obstacle between the child and his experience.”
Dr. Maria Montessori
the transformative benefits of outdoor learning
At Counterpane, we embrace the profound rewards of outdoor learning and nature immersion as integral components of our educational philosophy. Engaging students with the natural world enhances their academic experience by fostering curiosity, critical thinking, and a deep connection to the environment. Outdoor learning promotes physical well-being and resilience, as students participate in hands-on activities that stimulate all senses and encourage active problem-solving. Nature-based education also nurtures emotional growth, providing a tranquil setting that reduces stress and cultivates mindfulness. Each classroom opens to outdoor gardens and students are encouraged to study, read, and relax outside. Students engage in outdoor learning through hikes on our property, gardening, composting, and taking care of our animals. By integrating outdoor experiences into our curriculum, we not only enrich our students' understanding of core subjects but also inspire a lifelong appreciation for the environment and a commitment to sustainable practices.
"The children of today will make all the discoveries of tomorrow."
Dr. Maria Montessori
“We both went to Montessori school, and I think it was part of that training of not following rules and orders, and being self-motivated, questioning what's going on in the world, doing things a little bit differently.”
Sergei Brin
+ Larry Page
Co-Founders of Google
"I do not believe there is a method better than Montessori for making children sensitive to the beauties of the world and awakening their curiosity regarding the secrets of life"
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Nobel Prize Laureate
Julia Child
"Influenced, perhaps, by my early experience at a Montessori school, I am all for encouraging children to work productively with their hands. Nothing gives them more pleasure than setting things in rows and rosettes."