Children that have been in a Montessori environment typically are very flexible and adjust quite easily to the public school situation. They are generally better students and spend their time in more productive ways because of their self-direction and positive attitude toward learning.

By the end of age five, Montessori children are normally curious, self-confident learners who look forward to going to school. They are normally engaged, enthusiastic learners who honestly want to learn and who ask excellent questions. Montessori children by age six have spent three or four years in a school where they were treated with honesty and respect. While there were clear expectations and ground rules, within that framework, their opinions and questions were taken quite seriously.

There are at least 4,000 certified Montessori schools in the United States and about 7,000 worldwide.

Research proves that your child's highest level of learning takes place from birth through age 9. This period of development is when your child will absorb and learn more than any other time in his/her life. This is also the time your child will learn the joy of knowledge and the excitement of learning new skills. The gift of learning independent study skills in our carefully prepared class environment is an advantage when it is time for your child to move on.

The goal of a Montessori education is to develop your child’s love of learning so that she/he keeps it throughout life. The child who transfers out of Montessori has a positive attitude towards school and self- discipline and responsibility. Most children transferring from Montessori to a public school adjust easily to their new classrooms.

Most children appear to adjust readily to new classroom situations. In all likelihood this is because they have developed a high degree of self discipline and independence in the Montessori environment, and because of the adaptability of young children in general.

Dr. Montessori identified four "planes of development," with each stage having its own developmental characteristics and developmental challenges. The Early Childhood Montessori environment for children age three to six is designed to work with the "absorbent mind," "sensitive periods," and the tendencies of children at this stage of their development.

and 3 day programs are often attractive to Parents who do not need full-time care; however, 5 day programs create the consistency that is so important to young children and which is essential in developing strong Montessori programs. Since the primary goal of Montessori involves creating a culture of consistency, order, and empowerment, most Montessori schools will expect children to attend 5 days a week.

Dr. Montessori identified four “planes of development,” with each stage having its own developmental characteristics and developmental challenges. The Early Childhood Montessori environment for children age 3 to 6 is designed to work with the “Absorbent Mind”, “Sensitive Periods” and the tendencies of children at this stage of their development.

Students have a daily balance of individual project work, small-group cooperative work, small-group and large-group teacher lessons. Students can have social interactions at appropriate times within their normal academic work time. Traditional schools find it impossible to do anything other than large group presentations and there is strict segregation of academic work from social interaction.

The Montessori system has been used successfully with children from all socio-economic levels, representing those in regular classes as well as the gifted, children with developmental delays, and children with emotional and physical disabilities. There is no one school that is right for all children, and certainly there are children who may do better in a smaller classroom setting with a more teacher-directed program that offers fewer choices and more consistent external structure.

Unfortunately no one body can accredit the Montessori element of schools, but there are state requirements for schools in genera. There are several Montessori organizations to which schools can belong. The two major ones operating in the United States are the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI, with a U.S. branch office called AMI-USA) and the American Montessori Society (AMS). Parents considering placing a child in a Montessori school should ask about the school's affiliation(s).

A. Students gain knowledge by themselves by working on hands-on projects and through active acquisition of knowledge. Teachers provide guidance but are much more in the background. Traditional teachers provide information and require children to memorize and test on the information they provide. There is little or no time for discovery. Children are not expected to take an active role in their own education. It is important to be a passive learner in a traditional school.

Exceedingly well! Guidance counselors and admissions officers from the area's most demanding private and public schools consistently report that our students excel in their new environments because of their knowledge base, their poise and confidence, and their eagerness to learn. We have a reputation for working with children to help them become "confident achievers.

you would expect, there are public schools in or near each community. There are also many private schools. Because Hawaii's public schools have historically tested far lower than most Mainland public schools in academic achievement, many parents opt to enroll their children in private schools. Changes are being made in the public school system and you should allow time to investigate for yourself and decide which would be the better choice for your children.

No. Although there are Montessori schools all over the world, all Montessori schools are not alike. Dr. Montessori's vision for children spread so quickly that soon the name "Montessori" became part of the public domain and could not be given a copyright. Differences in the quality of teacher-training, school standards, and adherence to the Montessori philosophy all affect the quality of a Montessori school.