How to choose the best Montessori school for your child?

You’ve decided to enroll your child in a Montessori program. First of all, congratulations, you have made a great choice! However, the decision-making process is not yet complete. You must still decide which Montessori school is best for your child. So, the important question is how to choose the best Montessori school for your child?

Unfortunately, any school or program can claim to be “Montessori.” Some programs are excellent, while others are not. As a result, it is up to us parents to ensure that we are getting the genuine article. It can be challenging if you are new to the Montessori world. So, what characteristics should a parent look for in the best Montessori school near me? That’s an excellent question.

Following are some points to consider; check them out:

#1 Observe the classroom:

The first thing that parents must do is visit the classroom. A building tour or a chat with administrators can’t give you an accurate picture of a school. You must spend some time (at least 20 minutes) sitting quietly and watching a room full of children.

• Is the classroom clean, well-organized, and stocked with Montessori materials?
• Montessori classrooms must be visually appealing. “the tiny child’s absorbent mind finds all its nutriment in its surroundings,” Montessori explained. Here, it must find itself and build itself up from what it takes up. As a result, especially at the start of life, we must make the environment as interesting and appealing as possible.”
• Is the classroom clean, well-organized, and stocked with Montessori materials?
• Montessori classrooms must be visually appealing. “the tiny child’s absorbent mind finds all its nutriment in its surroundings,” Montessori explained. Here, it must find itself and build itself up from what it takes up. As a result, especially at the start of life, we must make the environment as interesting and appealing as possible.”
• There should be furniture, shelves, and tools that are appropriate for children. It is important for encouraging independence and learning.
• Are the Montessori materials made of natural materials like wood, glass, or metal? Are they clean, well-organized, and easy for the kids to access?
• Is the room inviting and comfortable?
• Is there a good vibe in the air?

#2 Observe the children

• Do the kids appear to be happy to be there?
• Are the kids “working” productively (i.e. focused on a task) or disruptive and restless?
• Are the children working alone or in small groups (usually 2-4 children)?
• Is there a child age range?
• Is it possible for the children to choose their work and concentrate without being interrupted?
• Do the children interact with one another and with adults in a respectful manner?

#3 Observe the teachers

• What kind of interactions does the teacher have with the students?
• Is there a respectful tone between the teacher and the students?
• Is the teacher guiding the children as they work individually (rather than giving lessons to the entire class)?
• Do the teachers carefully observe the children to determine where each child is in their individual development?

#4 Always ask questions to clear your doubts

• When searching for the best Montessori schools for your kid; it is important to ask different questions like:
• What is the class schedule?
• Is there a long period of uninterrupted, unscheduled work time (approximately 3 hours)?
• Is the school’s emphasis on helping each child develop to the best of their ability (rather than grades)?
• Do the kids have any homework?
• Is the school involved in standardized testing?
• Is the staff welcoming, knowledgeable, and approachable?
• What is the history of the school?

Additional tip:

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, trust your instincts. Do you feel at ease in your surroundings and with your teachers? Is the classroom overly structured or underly structured? What is your child’s reaction? You know your child better than anyone else, so have faith in your inner voice and your ability to make the best decisions for your child.

In a Nutshell:

Finding the best Montessori school near me is one of the challenging tasks. Hope you find this article helpful. Make sure that you consider all the points mentioned in the article. Whether it is observing the teacher or classroom, consider all factors to make a wise decision.