"We discovered that education is not something which the teacher does, but that it is a natural process which develops spontaneously in the human being." - Maria Montessori
The Montessori Method of education, developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, is a child-centered educational approach based on scientific observations of children from birth to adulthood. Dr. Montessori’s Method has been time tested, with over 100 years of success in diverse cultures throughout the world. It is a view of the child as one who is naturally eager for knowledge and capable of initiating learning in a supportive, thoughtfully prepared learning environment. It is an approach that values the human spirit and the development of the whole child—physical, social, emotional, cognitive.
Montessori at Sancta Maria School
Sancta Maria includes all the components necessary for a program to be considered authentically Montessori, including multiage groupings that foster peer learning, uninterrupted blocks of work time called “work cycles,” and guided choice of activity. In addition, a full complement of specially designed Montessori learning materials is meticulously arranged and available for use in an aesthetically pleasing environment.
Although Montessori schools are divided into multi-age classrooms—parent infant (0 to 3), preschool (3 to 6), lower and upper elementary (6 to 12), and middle school and high school (12 to 18)—the prepared environments are an uninterrupted series of learning passages – a continuum from infancy to adulthood.
Primary
2.5 - 6-year-olds
The Primary classroom is an open and inviting space, where children have access to a wealth of educative materials called “work.” The children’s work develops their cognitive powers through direct experience: seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, touching, and movement. The teacher prepares the environment to meet the needs of the child so that they are constantly being introduced to the next level of development. Their love for learning is cultivated through the beautiful materials and the teacher’s respect for individual differences.
We offer one morning work cycle for children ages 2.5 – 3 years old, and a morning and afternoon work cycle for children ages 4 – 6 years old.
Elementary
6 - 12 year-olds
In the elementary years, the child begins the application of his knowledge to real-world experiences. The elementary child is full of questions like “how, when, and why?” and the Montessori Method responds in kind with cosmic education. Cosmic education places the entire universe before the child and invites him to explore each topic to its fullest potential. This leaves the child with a feeling of “admiration and wonder, a feeling loftier than any interest and more satisfying. The child’s mind then will no longer wander, but becomes fixed and can work” (To Educate the Human Potential, Chapter 1: “The Six-Year-Old Confronted with the Cosmic Plan,” by Dr. Maria Montessori). This organization of information—facts and figures—prepares the child for the world of adolescence, when thought and emotion evolve into understanding more abstract, universal concepts such as equity, freedom, and justice.
We offer two Montessori work cycles to this age group and supplement the upper elementary program with Saxon Math.
Erdkinder (Secondary)
12 - 16 year-olds
Montessori Erdkinder programs integrate academic study with purposeful work, preparing teenagers to become contributing adult citizens who are self-confident and possess skills needed to thrive in larger society.
The Erdkinder program builds the students’ confidence through self-development, service projects, and entrepreneurship. Your adolescent may have an opportunity to start a business, complete with developing a business plan and securing funding, or work as an apprentice to an expert in a field she loves. Opportunities for service are given as a way for students to care for their school and the world beyond the walls of our building. Our students learn the value of hard work and become exposed to the needs of their community. This develops a sense of empathy and agency that will serve the students well as adults.
Erdkinder students also complete complex projects that include research and presentation and illustrate their mastery of concepts. Through their studies, tools (such as checklists, rubrics work plans, and study guides) promote time management, organization, and decision-making.
We offer a Montessori Erdkinder program to this age group, with entrepreneurship opportunities, field trips, and off-campus classes to broaden their experience of the world.
Faith Education
Throughout the year, the children at Sancta Maria participate in many activities that further teach the Catholic faith. On a daily basis, the children begin in prayer. Children experience many types of prayer: personal prayer, reciting the rosary, praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and reading the Gospels. On a weekly basis, the children utilize the materials from the Catechesis of the Good Sheperd Program. Once a month, families come together to celebrate Mass at the school. Occasionally, the students and teachers in the elementary/Erdkinder program pray the rosary with the residents at the local nursing home. For more information, see our Atrium page.
All sacramental preparation is done through individual parishes/families and is not included at Sancta Maria.
Sports Opportunities
Many of our elementary and Erdkinder children are involved in sports programs. Many are available through Eudora and Lawrence Parks and Recreation and through the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO). Please ask us if you have questions about getting involved in these and we will connect you with other parents who are using these programs!
For more information, the American Montessori Society has provided a wealth of information through their website. These links may be helpful in particular:
Excerpts and articles are taken from Montessori Resources for Schools, Teachers, Families and Parents | American Montessori Society (amshq.org).