What is Montessori?

Montessori encompasses a philosophy by which children are allowed to develop naturally and fully, each at his or her own pace. Under the guidance of a certified Montessori Directress, in a specially prepared environment and using carefully formulated materials, children are given the opportunity to learn in the best ways - by choice and by discovery. The dual qualities of independence and a love of learning, natural tendencies for the children, are nurtured in such a way that both competence and confidence result. These competent and self-confident young people have the necessary tools for successful future learning and living.

Why should you choose a Montessori education for your child?

Between birth and age 6 is when most of your child's intelligence and social characteristics will be formed. This is also when your child is most receptive, curious, and excited about exploring the world around him or her. A Montessori environment nurtures that excitement and curiosity by offering a variety of materials and activities to stimulate and intrigue your child. The Montessori Directress is trained to recognize when your child is ready to learn a new skill, and to foster his or her natural instincts and abilities. Your child is valued as an independent thinker and encouraged to make choices on his or her own. A Montessori education provides students for all ages with information in a way they can, understand, and enjoy. Learning is fun, empowering, and custom-fit to suit your child's individual learning style.

What do you have to offer that my child can't get at more traditional preschools?

You will see the minute you walk into one of our classrooms. The materials used to teach reading; writing, arithmetic, geography, science, music and social studies are all unique to the Montessori classroom. Classroom materials developed for youngest students, for example, take abstract ideas and put them in a concrete form that makes sense to their developing minds. Unlike other schools, your child will also share his or her Montessori classrooms with older and/or younger students. This way, students learn from their peers and respect their own and each others ability to be a teacher as well as a student. Finally, Directresses observe their students, stepping in when they see a child is "stuck" or ready to learn a new skill. But most important, children learn how to learn, think critically, make connection, challenge themselves and pursue knowledge for the love of it.

What kind of child attends Montessori?

The Montessori method is an international approach to learning with no distinctions of class, culture or intelligence. This academic expertise, coupled with the happy, interested, confident and organized demeanor these children present singles them out among children who have not had the same educational advantages. Most people develop and use but a small portion of their potential; Montessori children seem brighter because they are exposed to more. Montessori education allows your child to progress towards whatever he/she can become, as it focuses on the whole child, addressing intellectual, aesthetic, physical, emotional and social needs as well.

How will my child adjust to public schools after Montessori School?

Whether the child attends another private school or goes on to public school, Montessori education provides an excellent background for traditional education. Studies show that Montessori children adjust well and are generally among the better students. They spend their time more productively because of their self-direction and positive attitude toward learning.

If my child is left to choose his/her own projects, won't he/she do the same thing day in and day out, or do nothing at all?

Our Directresses are trained to observe children as they work. When a child has mastered a skill, the Directress will give the child a lesson that is more challenging, giving special attention to the age and interest of each child. Because the environment is so stimulating and exciting, children seldom "do nothing." There are hundreds of prepared lessons for the child to choose from everyday.

I've heard Montessori is too individualized and does not allow socialization. Is this true?

While it is true that many of the activities are individualized, this is important so that the children can work at their own pace without feeling competitive or frustrated about their own progress. However, there are several activities that do involve group participation. Also, during the day, children participate in circle time together, eat together and play outside together. One of the Montessori goals is to help, your child develop socially so that he/she can achieve the respect of others and work well together within a group environment. As children develop in our elementary environment small and large group lessons naturally evolve as the individual developmental differences fade.

Where do students go after they leave Bridges?

Our students have attended all of the local public and private schools in our area, as well as boarding schools nationally and internationally. The beauty of the educational foundation is that it prepares each child for any option they may pursue. In addition, many of our children have excelled and been selected for challenging academic environments, special honors, and acknowledgements.

Do students get grade/report cards at the elementary levels?

Students receive both progress and report cards throughout the year in Elementary through Middle school. We begin to assign percent values to appropriate work in the third grade.

How do you track the progress of students?

Assessment is a continuous process of qualitative and quantitative analysis. Because of our low teacher child ratios and differentiated instruction we can continually evaluate a child's progress individually. However, as a national standard we administer a standardized achievement test at year-end to all students. Of course, we know that these tests do not always accurately assess every child's true knowledge base.

Is Bridges Montessori worth the money?

The cost of a Bridges Montessori education is most correlated to the cost of staffing. This is driven by teacher child ratio and expertise of faculty. Our faculty is our greatest asset, so we invest the most dollars in them. This comes in the form of appropriate compensation and benefits, on going professional development, and the supplies and state of the art teaching tools to support mastery teaching.