Where did Montessori come from?
Montessori (pronounced MON-tuh-SORE-ee) education was founded in 1907 by Dr. Maria Montessori, the first woman in Italy to become a physician. She based her educational methods on scientific observation of children's learning processes. Guided by her discovery that children teach themselves, Dr. Montessori designed a "prepared environment" in which children could freely choose from a number of developmentally appropriate activities. Now, nearly a century after Maria Montessori's first casa de bambini ("children's house") in Rome, Montessori education is found all over the world, spanning ages from birth to adolescence.

What is the difference between Montessori and traditional education?
Montessori emphasizes learning through all five senses, not just through listening, watching, or reading. Children in Montessori classes learn at their own individual pace and according to their own choice of activities from hundreds of possibilities. Learning is an exciting process of discovery, leading to concentration, motivation, self-discipline, and a love of learning. Montessori classes place children in three-year age groups (3-6, 6-9, 9-12, and so on), forming communities in which the older children spontaneously share their knowledge with the younger ones. Montessori represents an entirely different approach to education.

Can I do Montessori at home with my child?
Yes, you can use Montessori principles of child development at home. Look at your home through your child's eyes. Children need a sense of belonging, and they get it by participating fully in the routines of everyday life. "Help me do it by myself" is the life theme of the preschooler. Can you find ways for your child to participate in meal preparation, cleaning, gardening, caring for clothes, shoes, and toys? Providing opportunities for independence is the surest way to build your child's self-esteem. In school, only a trained Montessori teacher can properly implement Montessori education, using the specialized learning equipment of the Montessori "prepared environment." Here social development comes from being in a positive and unique environment with other children -- an integral part of Montessori education.

Is Montessori good for children with learning disabilities? What about gifted children?
Montessori is designed to help all children reach their fullest potential at their own unique pace. A classroom whose children have varying abilities is a community in which everyone learns from one another and everyone contributes. Moreover, multiage grouping allows each child to find his or her own pace without feeling "ahead" or "behind" in relation to peers. MSA has a special education consultant on staff that works in conjunction with the classroom teacher.

Are Montessori children successful later in life?
Research studies show that Montessori children are well prepared for later life academically, socially, and emotionally. In addition to scoring well on standardized tests, Montessori children are ranked above average on such criteria as following directions, turning in work on time, listening attentively, using basic skills, showing responsibility, asking provocative questions, showing enthusiasm for learning, and adapting to new situations.

Do your students wear uniforms?
We have a dress code but not uniforms.

Do you give standardized tests and if so how well do MSA students do?
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. 97% of our students who took the Stanford 10 (a nationally standardized testing program) scored at their given potential level; 65% of those actually scored in the high range (which means they “over-achieved”). Translation: without traditional text books, teachers teaching to the test , or a year devoted to the material on this test, many of our students, even in the 4th grade, are testing better than the average 12th grader.

What is the student/teacher ratio?
The student/teacher ratio is: 12:1 with a classroom of approximately 25 students and two certified teachers.

What can I do to volunteer?
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.

When was MSA founded?
Montessori School of Anderson started in the basement of a local church in 1973 with 14 children.

Where are your teachers trained?
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, Cincinnati, and India.

What are school hours?
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.

How can I learn more about the Montessori method of teaching?
We sponsor ongoing parent seminars offering education on Montessori philosophy, curriculum, materials used, and home environment enrichment.

Can I visit the classroom?
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.

Can I speak with the administrator if I have a concern?
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."

Do you have financial assistance?
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.

Do you offer in-house assistance for children needing speech therapy?
There is a speech therapist who comes to the school and will do evaluations and therapy. She has her own private practice but works directly with the school and the teachers for the benefit of the child. We do have a Special Education consultant to help assess a child's needs.

Do you work with children with learning disabilities?
We are able to work with children with special needs from mildly challenged to moderately challenged. In each case, a Special Education consultant helps 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.

How is discipline handled?
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.

Do you have team sports?
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.

Do you have a cafeteria?
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.

What do you offer parents who have to work and can't pick up at 3:00?
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.

What is available for children in the summer?
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.

Are your students involved in the community?
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.