+ Are Montessori schools religious?

Some are, but most are not. Some Montessori schools, just like other schools, operate under the auspices of a church, synagogue, or diocese, but most are independent of any religious affiliation.

However, while Montessori does not teach religion, we do present moral and spiritual themes, such as love, kindness, peace, and stewardship of nature.

+ Is Montessori a franchise? Who can open a Montessori School?

The term Montessori is not trademarked. Therefore, anyone – regardless of training, experience or affiliation – can open a “Montessori” school. However, a TRUE Montessori school will have its proper accreditations.

Pioneer Valley Montessori School is accredited by the American Montessori Society. We are also accredited the Association of Independent Schools of New England, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the Massachusetts Department of Early Childhood Education (EEC). We are also members of the Montessori School of Massachusetts.

+ Are Montessori schools as academically rigorous as traditional schools?

Yes! Guided by highly-trained and specialized teachers, students in Montessori classrooms have opportunities to delve deeper into subjects of particular interest while continuing to meet the high academic standards of the whole curriculum. They become problem-solvers and independent thinkers who know how to manage their time and work well with others.

+ Can Montessori students interact with other children or do they just work alone all day?

There is as much opportunity for interaction and socialization as the children desire! Often, the tasks are so satisfying that children want to spend time mastering them on their own. However, they are always welcome to work with partners or in groups on many different projects and lessons.

+ I hear the term “work” in the preschool program. Do the children play?

We may not have the typical toys you may see in a preschool, but yes, our students play! They explore new things playfully. They watch something of interest with a fresh open mind. They enjoy the company of other children. They make up stories. They dream. They imagine.

Often this impression stems from parents who don't know what to make of the incredible concentration, order, and self-discipline that we commonly see among Montessori children. They take their work seriously, but it is far from drudgery for them!

(Of course, we also have recess twice a day in which our children do nothing but play!)

+ Is Montessori effective with a highly gifted child?

Yes! In general, children who are highly gifted will find Montessori to be both intellectually challenging and flexible enough to respond to them as a unique individual. One benefit of Montessori is that a child who wants intellectual pursuits beyond his/her age can do so.

+ Is Montessori appropriate for neurodiverse students?

Montessori-style teaching can accommodate a wide range of learning styles and abilities. We are open to trying to work with any child, but we unfortunately may not have the services and ability to accommodate the needs of all neurodiverse students.

+ Is Montessori opposed to homework?

Most Montessori schools do not assign homework to children below the elementary level. When it is assigned to older children, it does not involve "busy" work; instead, the children are given meaningful assignments that expand on the topics that they are pursuing in class.

+ Why do Montessori schools ask younger children to attend five days a week?

One of the most frequent questions we get from prospective parents is whether we have a part-time program. (Two and three day programs are often attractive to parents who do not need full-time care.) Five-day programs, however, have been proven to create the consistency that is so important to the development of young children.

Most Montessori schools require five days a week (full or half-days) because young children have little or no sense of time. When they are working on a task, they are very excited to come back the next day to work on it some more. When there are gaps between the days they come to school, it is more difficult to maintain a high level of enthusiasm and excitement about their work. Changes in the day-to-day routine is difficult for children at this age. They adapt and learn more quickly when they have the same routine five days in a row.

+ Why do Montessori schools want children to enter at age three?

Montessori education is based on scientific milestones in child development. Dr. Montessori identified four planes of childhood development. A child in the First Plane (birth to age six) is like a sponge soaking up water; they easily absorb knowledge, language, and culture through their senses.

From age 3-6, children pass into a more conscious stage of development. They still absorb information easily, but now they are expanding their newly-developed abilities. They have an innate desire to make choices and accomplish tasks independently. Maria Montessori referred to this as the ‘help me do it myself’ stage.

The Early Childhood Montessori program is designed specifically for children at this stage of their development. The robust curriculum addresses sensorial, practical life, mathematics, language, cultural activities, science geography and art.

+ Will My Child Be Able to Adjust to Traditional Public or Private Schools After Montessori?

The transition from Montessori to traditional or public schools will indeed be a change since Montessori has such a distinct approach to teaching and learning. Parents often – understandably – worry about this. However, the Montessori method equips children not only with the abilities to tackle academics with focus and determination, but also with the resilience, grit, confidence, and problem solving skills they need to handle life.

Some children who transfer to a traditional school will be bored. Others may not understand why everyone in the class has to do the same thing at the same time. But most adapt to their new settings fairly quickly, making new friends, and succeeding within the definition of success understood in their new school.There will naturally be trade-offs if a Montessori child transfers to a traditional school. The curriculum in Montessori schools is often more enriched than that taught in other schools in the United States. The values and attitudes of the children and teachers may also be quite different. Learning will often be focused more on adult-assigned tasks, done more by rote than with enthusiasm and understanding.

+ Is it true Montessori does not give students grades?

Montessori students typically do not receive letter or number grades for their work. Grades, like other external rewards, have little lasting effect on a child’s efforts or achievements.

The Montessori approach nurtures the motivation that comes from within, kindling the child’s natural desire to learn. A self-motivated learner also learns to be self-sufficient, without needing reinforcement from outside.

However, our teachers are very well aware of how each child is doing. They closely observe each student’s progress and readiness to advance to new lessons. We offer parent conferences a few times a year as well as narrative progress reports. Parents are also welcome and encouraged to contact our teachers with any questions or concerns throughout the school year.