Maria Montessori Pre-School
Provides a special environment for young children of all races, creeds and social backgrounds. Here, children (ages 2 1/2 to 6) are taught perhaps the most important lessons of all: To respect and work with each other, and to enjoy learning. Also important is that parents take in active part in the operation of the school, assuring the high quality of education and interaction.

The Montessori Method
Maria Montessori was born in Italy in 1870 and became both a physician and an educator. After observing the usual rigid teaching technique if her day, many of which still remain, she developed her unique method. Maria Montessori believed that children explore the world with their senses, and that teaching should be a natural complement to this behavior. The teacher's job in this environment is not to teach in the usual sense, but to encourage children to "learn how to learn."

"A child gains so much more than anything that can be graded"

In a Montessori class, there is no grading system. A child can work with other children in one subject, younger children in another, and still have social interaction with children their own age. This allows children to progress at thier own speed and eliminates the public school problem of "skipping" or "holding back" those who do not fit in automatically. With the montessori method, a child grows in self-confidence, self-discipline, self-reliance, organization and the ability to concentrate.

Applying to Maria Reed Montessori Pre-School
Because the ideal size of a Montessori class is a 20 to 25 children, we unfortunately cannot accept all children who wish to apply here. The selection criteria that has been adopted is based upon a family's interest in the child's development, the family's commitment to the goals of the school, a high probability that both the child and the class will benefit from the exposure to each other, and a quota of racial and age balance. We encourage applicants who support the goals of Maria Reed Montessori Pre-school and welcome all observers.