Dr. Maria Montessori (1870-1952), founder of the educational philosophy which still bears her name today, was Italy’s first female physician. Dr. Montessori recognized that children’s cognitive growth and development required the use of self-correcting, manipulative materials that would respect individuality and fulfill the needs of the “whole child.”

As a Montessori curriculum, students are led by a trained Montessori guide, have freedom of movement within the classroom, have uninterrupted blocks of work time and choose which activities they would like to engage in from a set range of options.