Who We Are
At St. Andrews Montessori School,
We believe that every child deserves a caring, loving environment that fosters growth, learning, and development.
Our mission is to provide a peaceful and enriching space filled with beautiful didactic materials, where children’s natural curiosity for learning is nurtured. We are dedicated to promoting stability, understanding, academic achievements, a sense of wonder for nature, and inspiring creativity within each child. With unwavering commitment, we shape not just students, but the future leaders of tomorrow.
The Montessori Difference
Traditional schools have structured classes led by teachers, where students follow set schedules and subjects. Teachers are the main source of knowledge.
Teachers instruct and provide information through lectures. They hold authority and guide the class.
Uniform classrooms with desks facing the front. Learning is mainly indoors, following a fixed curriculum.
Emphasis on standardized tests and grades. Curriculum is fixed, progressing uniformly.
Less focus on individual decision-making. Students follow a set curriculum and schedule.
Montessori education focuses on self-directed learning. Students choose activities in prepared environments, encouraging hands-on exploration and individual learning paths.
Montessori educators guide and observe, fostering independence and critical thinking. They create an environment that nurtures problem-solving skills.
Montessori classrooms are diverse, with mixed-age groups and hands-on materials. Outdoor spaces and nature are integrated for learning and exploration.
Montessori focuses on holistic development. Assessment observes progress and interests. Curriculum is flexible, catering to individual needs.
Montessori encourages independence. Students choose activities, explore interests, and learn at their own pace, fostering a love for learning.
“Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed”
MARIA MONTESSORI
GET TO KNOW THE
SAMS Staff
At St. Andrews Montessori, our dedicated staff is the heart of our educational community. With a deep commitment to nurturing young minds, our experienced educators create a joyful and supportive atmosphere where learning flourishes. Each member of our team is passionate about the Montessori philosophy and its transformative impact on children's growth. With their expertise, care, and unwavering dedication, our staff guides students on their journey of exploration, discovery, and self-discovery. Together, we cultivate an environment where children thrive academically, socially, and emotionally, ensuring a holistic and enriching educational experience for every child in our care.
FAQ
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Montessori schools typically have multi-age classrooms, so traditional grades like "1st grade" may not apply. Instead, assessment is often based on ongoing observation of a child's progress and mastery of skills. Standardized testing is generally not a primary focus in Montessori education.
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Homework in Montessori education is generally less common, especially in the primary years. The emphasis is on engaging learning during school hours. As children progress to the upper elementary levels, some Montessori schools may introduce projects or activities that extend learning beyond the classroom.
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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, multi-age grouping allows each child to find his or her own pace without feeling "ahead" or "behind" in relation to peers.
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As with the choice of a Montessori school for children, an adult must also exercise wisdom in choosing a teacher training course. Anyone can legally use the name "Montessori" in describing their teacher training organization. One must be sure the certification earned is recognized by the school where one desires to teach.
The Three major organizations offering Montessori training in the United States are the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI, with a U.S. branch office called AMI-USA), the American Montessori Society (AMS), and Montessori Educational Programs International (MEPI), Most training centers require a bachelor's degree for admission
There are courses, such as "distance learning" or "correspondence courses", which can help one better understand Montessori theory or which can train adults to work in certain schools. Sometimes these are the only possibility, but they do not fully prepare one for the intensive and fulfilling work with a classroom of children. When choosing a training course, it is important to balance the amount of time and money one can spend with the teaching opportunities desired, and to find out ahead of time if one's certification earned will allow one to teach in a school one is considering.
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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, school-age child, teenager, and young adult.
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 and build the skills needed for lifelong learning;
Many homeschooling and other parents use the Montessori philosophy of following the child's interest and not interrupting concentration to educate their children. There is an interesting Montessori homeschooling store here: Homeschooling.
In school, only a trained Montessori teacher can properly implement Montessori education with the specialized learning equipment taught during teacher training, but there are many ideas that can be used in the home with families whose children are in school full-time or in families where the adults are in charge of the totality of the child's education.
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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.
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Because Montessori schools are operated independently of one another, tuition varies widely. The tuition is usually tied to the salaries of the staff, the size of the school, the state regulations for ratio of staff to children, the cost of living, and many other factors. The tuition for a Montessori school is figured on costs to run the school and is no different than any other private school.
Sometimes the Montessori program is part of the public school system, and so there is no tuition. However, although there are some very good public Montessori schools, many just use the materials, or the name, and are not operated as true Montessori classes.
Infant/toddler: $3,480-$8,000
Ages 3-6, 3-hour day: $3,500-$5,000
Ages 3-6, 4-hour day: $3,500-$6,000
Ages 3-6, 6-hour day: $4,300-$7,000
Ages 6-12: $4,700-$12,000
Ages 12-15: $5,440-$14,000
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At the Michael Olaf Montessori site, which contains articles, reprints of lectures, and two Montessori overviews that are also catalogues of books and materials for children. The actual pages are available to view as PDF files, or one might say E-books of Montessori philosophy and practice: Montessori overview.
ALUMNI STORIES
Faith Layton
“Take a minute to write an introduction that is short, sweet, and to the point.”
Eliza Buck
“I started Montessori in preschool at 4 years old and continued through 6th grade. It was a formative and memorable experience, which blessed me with a love for deep learning and understanding. One of the things I loved most was how Montessori showed me how all of the subjects were interconnected, and how because I was with the same teachers for many years, I built a strong relationship with them. Montessori taught me that there is no such thing as putting in too much effort. St. Andrews left me a curious, hardworking student, which has benefited me greatly as I continue to advance in my education.”
Madeline Munson
“I started my Montessori education at 3 years old at St. Andrews. I loved it so much that I continued with Montessori school all the way through high school. I am now getting a degree in mathematics at Rocky Mountain College. Montessori taught me it is ok to think and learn differently. It taught me how to look for an answer, rather than how to memorize one. These beliefs now set me apart in my college education and in life. I am able to approach problems from a different angle than most. Because of Montessori, I am who I am today”