Montessori provides a healthy environment for social and emotional development, satisfying the needs for both autonomy and belonging, which clears the way for students to thrive academically.

Because Montessori students grow to become self-motivated to learn, they are able to academically achieve their greatest potential, without the pressure or stress that traditionally comes with pushing one’s abilities to the limits. This satisfies the unique balance of academic achievement and mental well-being.

In Montessori elementary, academics begin to move away from the concrete materials and more into the abstract. Students increasingly develop an understanding of the properties that were once tangible and apply them to concepts and problems on paper and in their heads.

The methods behind each of the materials and lessons in Montessori were designed solely through the lens of child development. In following the child to create a curriculum, we see a method of education that aligns with the needs and abilities of the child throughout their different plans of development.

There are 8 subject areas throughout the classroom: art, biology, geography, geometry, history, language, math, and music.

Students may choose which material to work on during their two 3-hour work periods, provided they have received a lesson on it. Montessori allows children to take agency over their education, rather than limiting how much time they may spend on a subject of interest at a given time. However, guides are mindful of finding ways to integrate the child’s interests into various subject areas to ensure that each child learns the material that aligns with state standards. In short, Montessori students cover the material they need to know at their grade level while being allowed time and space to focus more deeply on the subject areas that most interest and motivate them.

Rather than using testing and grades to assess a child’s academic standing, Montessori guides use observation to follow the child’s progress. A Montessori guide presents an individual or small group lesson to the child in a specific subject area. The student then continues to practice the lesson that has been taught. The guide subtly observes the child completing the work to determine if the lesson needs to be re-presented, or if the child has mastered the lesson and is ready to move on to the next work in the progression. With this method, the guide has a clear understanding of where each individual student stands in each subject area at any given time. By bypassing a need for constant correction and traditional assessments, the children continue feeling motivated to learn and confident in their abilities.

The evidence of the positive effects of a Montessori education extends beyond the thriving children within the classroom walls. New research continues to reveal the long-term benefits of Montessori, both systemically and individually.

Montessori has been proven effective across income, race, and languages spoken at home, eliminating disparities in achievement and closing the opportunity gap.

As detailed in a recent article in Forbes, “Research has shown that students who attend Montessori schools foster higher levels of executive functioning skills like self-discipline, autonomy over learning, deep focus, critical reasoning and problem-solving”.

Additionally, studies show that Montessori students test better on reading tests and standardized math and science tests in High School, as well as higher scores on ACT tests. Students who attended a Montessori school also demonstrate higher student motivation and more positive socialization.