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Montessori School of Anderson<br>
280 Sam McGee Road<br>
Anderson, South Carolina 29621<br>
864-226-5344
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Our program rests on four pillars of objectives:
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A passion for excellence in everything they do<br>
The development of a strongly built set of universal values<br>
The development of a global awareness<br>
A lifelong commitment to give back through service to others<br>
The Montessori School of Anderson is organized into five divisions:
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Infant /Toddler (Ages 6 weeks to 3 years)<br>
Primary (Ages 3 to 6)<br>
Lower Elementary (Grades 1 to 3)<br>
Upper Elementary (Grades 4 to 6)<br>
Middle School (Grades 7 & 8)
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Our infants and toddlers are cared for in a nurturing and loving environment. Dr. Maria Montessori's research led her to conclude that intelligence manifests itself in the natural, spontaneous curiosity of the young child from birth. Dr. Montessori found that very young children are quite capable of absorbing information, concepts, and skills from their surroundings and peers almost through osmosis. Our program nurtures curiosity, creativity, and imagination. Our Montessori trained teachers work with multi-age toddlers on a ratio of 1 to 7 or less.
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Children ages 3 to 6 are guided by a Montessori trained teacher in each class. The class environment is divided in to several different areas: Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Math, and Geography, Science, and History. There are low open shelves with an array of lovely intriguing learning activities arranged in a highly logical order. These activities help children to see abstract ideas presented in a very concrete three-dimensional way. Children tend to become absorbed in their work and thrive in the peaceful atmosphere. Montessori School of Anderson has four primary classes.
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Our Lower Elementary classes are grouped with grades 1-3 and Upper Elementary grades 4-6. Each class is a community of children and teachers. Students stay with their teachers for a three year span. The Montessori-based curriculum has unusual substance and depth: it is enriching and challenging. We promote active learning by using hands-on and group learning. We follow a well established curricular framework that includes expectations for basic academic achievement at each level. All elementary students are involved in community service projects. Our school community encompasses many families where different cultures are celebrated.
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Our Middle School consists of grades 7-8. Our program provides a challenging environment that meets the social, physical, emotional and intellectual characteristic of the adolescent student. We encourage students to do their own research, analyze what they have found and come to their own conclusions. We help them become well prepared for the world of tomorrow by: helping them develop organized work plans, expose them to diverse and unique perspectives, and encourage self- evaluation.
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Do your students wear uniforms?<br>
We have a dress code but not uniforms.
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Do you give standardized tests and if so how well do MSA students do?<br>
Students are tested in grades 3-8 with a national testing program. Montessori students usually do very well anywhere from 1-4 grade levels above the national norm.
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What is the student/teacher ratio?<br>
The student/teacher ratio is: 12:1 with a classroom of approximately 25 students and two certified teachers.
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What can I do to volunteer?<br>
There are many opportunities for families to be involved in the ongoing life of the community. Ex. Answering phones, helping at lunch time, substituting as needed, offering special classes, fundraising, etc.
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When was MSA founded?<br>
Montessori School of Anderson started in the basement of a local church in 1973 with 14 children.
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Where are your teachers trained?<br>
Our teachers have various undergraduate degrees, graduate level and PhD credentials from many different sources. Their Montessori certification happens after from training centers as diverse as South Carolina, North Carolina, New York, Cinncinati, and India.
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What are school hours?<br>
Our doors open at 7:30 and close at 5:30 pm for our Extended Day Program. Academic hours are from 8:15 am - 3:00 pm.
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How can I learn more about the Montessori method of teaching?<br>
We sponsor ongoing parent seminars offering education on Montessori philosophy, curriculum, materials used, and home environment enrichment.
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Can I visit the classroom?<br>
We have an "Open Door" policy which means interested families, current parents, grandparents, may come to observe at any time. However, there are specific educational Open Houses each week on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings for a complete Overview. This time is set aside to enable a prospective family time to assimilate this very different educational approach. It includes watching a 15 minute video, touring the entire campus, meeting the teachers and students along the way, and finally spending time with the Administrator. This process is to enable what we call the "perfect match" to take place.
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Can I speak with the administrator if I have a concern?<br>
Our first recommendation is to speak with the child's immediate team of teachers about any concerns, questions. However, the administrator's door is always open for general questions, dialogue, or concerns. We encourage all parties involved to welcome the "team approach."
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Do you have financial assistance?<br>
Each year the families raise a sum of money especially earmarked for financial assistance. At the same time, the Board of Trustees allocates a certain percentage of its operating budget toward this line item. As an entire school, we are deeply committed to finding financial ways for families who are interested in this philosophical approach to learning, to have the opportunity for their children to attend. Many times, that involves offering work opportunities to families as well.
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Do you work with children with learning disabilities?<br>
We are able to work with children with special needs from mildly challenged to moderately challenged. In each case, we help the family evaluate if our program can successfully meet all the needs of their child. If we feel we can, then we enter a trial period to make sure that our analysis was correct. There is also an ongoing evaluation process that continually monitors progress.
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How is discipline handled?<br>
There are only three rules of each classroom. They are stated in positive terms: care for yourself, care for each other, and care for the environment. Two year olds or fifteen year olds can equally handle this basic philosophy. When one of these three rules has been forgotten, we simply have the child take "time out" to give them time to reflect. By the time a student reaches middle school, conflict resolution has become an integral part of their operating philosophy.
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Do you have team sports?<br>
Our school participates in two after school competitive sports leagues: one in indoor soccer and the other in basketball. These start at age 5 and continue through middle school. Team sports are also played as part of their regular Physical Education classes.
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Do you have a cafeteria?<br>
Students eat in their classrooms but have the opportunity to buy a hot lunch two days a week and most classes prepare a meal for themselves another day.
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What do you offer parents who have to work and can't pick up at 3:00?<br>
We have a wonderful After School Studio program which is included in the tuition. Enrichment areas include: specialty choirs, introduction to piano, pottery making, drama classes, knitting clubs, band, recorders, computer clubs, recreation and game time, and study hall, etc. We are open until 5:30 pm each day.
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What is available for children in the summer?<br>
There are two camp programs; one for primary age children (3-6) and one for elementary age children. They operate in two week sessions and run all summer long. Occasionally, there are specialty academic camps.
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Are your students involved in the community?<br>
One of the special areas of our program is its emphasis on "community service." Children from grade 5 through middle school participate on a weekly basis in some sort of service program: helping in Head Start programs, working with "special needs" children, senior citizen centers, helping to prepare and deliver meals for Meals on Wheels, etc. It is inherent in our school philosophy that is a "great gift to receive" a wonderful education and it is equally a "great gift to give back" in time and talent.
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