The Judson Montessori School

A Montessori Education is...

Developmental, not chronological.

Students' needs change as they progress through the stages of life, a progression that is not rigidly dictated by the calendar. At JMS, mixed-age groupings allow students to progress at their own pace while receiving guidance specific to their unique needs.

A primary student learns about nurturing and growth. ©2007 The Judson Montessori School. All rights reserved.

Personalized, not generalized.

Children develop at different rates, and they learn in different ways. At JMS, one-on-one coaching is the primary mode of instruction.

Integrated, not fragmented.

Facts are important to the extent they shape ideas; sentences to the extent they advance communication; calculations to the extent they solve problems. At JMS, an integrated curriculum uses academic skills to further the acquisition of essential, organized knowledge, to shape ideas, and to bolster values.

Active, not passive.

Children learn by doing, not by being told. At JMS, the faculty recognizes that learning takes place when the student is actively engaged in the process. The work of the teacher is great, but it comes to nothing if the student does not exhibit interest, involvement, concentration, and a continuity of effort in actively learning.

Cooperative, not competitive.

Every "winner" establishes a crowd of "losers". Every "gifted" child implies a host of less-than-gifted children. At JMS, students are not ranked. Cooperation, rather than competition, sets the tone. All students are guided to perform at their highest level while respecting and celebrating the good work of others.