Educators and parents alike agree that the Montessori philosophy is one of the most effective ways to teach young children. Research shows that children who receive a classic Montessori education experience long-lasting benefits, including academic performance and increased enjoyment of learning.
Community Montessori schools offer a unique opportunity for parents, educators, and students to come together in support of common goals. This model of schooling is a unique and powerful way to prepare kids for the world.
The Washington Market School
The Washington Market School is a montessori preschool that blends the time-tested philosophies of Maria Montessori with Reggio Emilia. Its mission is to promote and foster the natural curiosity of children and their growing independence.
It is located in the Tribeca neighborhood of New York City. It is a non-profit, non-sectarian preschool that serves children from two years of age.
According to the school’s website, it is “a unique learning environment where our children experience a modified version of the traditional Montessori curriculum” and are guided by teachers in the exploration of their interests. This approach to education helps develop self-confidence, independence and concentration in young children.
Admissions director Latisha Cook says the school’s curriculum is rooted in the Montessori philosophy and draws from her own training in the pedagogy as well as her years of experience teaching at top independent private schools in New York City. She is passionate about using the pedagogy to spark joy and excitement in the lives of all students, and believes that each child has a light within them that can be lit.
She is also committed to creating equitable spaces that allow all students to thrive. She has worked with a variety of special needs and academically talented students throughout her career, and is especially interested in helping her students to be confident contributors to their learning process.
A teacher since 2010, Ashley holds her Montessori Certification from West Side Montessori and Masters of Education in Early Childhood Education from Concordia College. She is a licensed NY State teacher and is working towards her American Montessori International administration certification.
The Washington Market School is a preschool in Manhattan that practices the modified Montessori method and has a small student to teacher ratio. It is a coed school for kids ages 18 months to 5 years and has two locations in Lower Manhattan.
It’s an independent, non-selective preschool that is ranked as one of the best in the country and is part of the 92nd Street Y network of schools. It has an application process that involves a tour and classroom observation followed by a roundtable discussion with other parents who have attended the school.
The West Side Montessori School
The West Side Montessori School is an early childhood school that focuses on the development of children. It offers classes in science, social studies, music and visual and plastic arts. The school also organizes fundraising events and runs a financial aid program.
The school is located in New York City and serves students ages 2.10 to 6.
Its facilities include classrooms, a gymnasium and other common areas. Its teachers work with the classic Montessori materials, which allow children to learn concepts such as number identification and addition and subtraction.
In addition, it offers the AMS-affiliated Teacher Education Program for adults that prepares credentialed teachers to teach in a Montessori environment. This program is primarily online and includes monthly synchronous sessions as well as summer sessions at the school on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
The program consists of an Academic Phase and a Practicum Phase. It consists of 300+ hours of coursework in Montessori theory and pedagogy.
At the West Side Montessori School, learning is an ongoing process that allows children to self-direct their work in a variety of environments. They gain mastery over their own independence through a variety of Practical Life activities and the use of sensory materials.
These skills are enhanced through lessons in Cultural Awareness, which exposes children to the richness of the world around them. It is designed to help students develop an appreciation for diversity and the ability to understand and accept others’ differences.
Throughout the day, teachers facilitate community in both multi-age classrooms and the Twos program. They help children discover the importance of sharing and caring for their environment. This is accomplished by helping children care for their food, preparing their bathroom environment for maximum independence and encouraging conversation between students.
The West Side Montessori School also offers a nine-week summer camp program for children ages 13 months to 10 years old, which gives them a chance to explore and participate in various activities. The camp works with local organizations and small businesses to provide a variety of events that are one-of-a-kind.
Twin Parks Montessori
As New York City’s largest accredited Montessori school, Twin Parks Montessori has three locations on the Upper West Side – Central Park Montessori, Park West Montessori and Riverside Montessori – serving infants, toddlers and early childhood students ages 3 months to 6 years. The schools are also home to the Nurture Center, a 6-week program designed to educate parents and caregivers about child development and teaching children developmentally appropriate activities they can practice at home.
The classrooms at Twin Parks are spacious, airy and well-appointed. Each is outfitted with a variety of learning tools and materials that allow for individualized attention, hands-on exploration and multi-age learning. In addition to the usual suspects — the math board, blocks, science lab and a working kitchen — there are also many exciting opportunities for creative play.
In the language arts area, children have the opportunity to explore the art of writing and to develop an appreciation for literature. The unique Montessori approach to language development involves a carefully respectful and individualized response to the natural desire of young children to absorb language.
A number of fun activities are part of the regular curriculum, such as a jumbo sized hula hoop and other interactive props. This allows for the development of fine motor skills, gross motor and hand-eye coordination. The kids also get to enjoy a variety of sensory experiences that include water, sand and various media to name just a few.
The best part is that the children are in charge, making decisions about their own education. Unlike traditional preschools where the teacher is in the background, our teachers take time to learn the specific needs of each individual child and provide individualized care and guidance.
Our smallest students are in the nursery and toddler program, which includes a small classroom of about 16 children. These children are encouraged to interact and share their daily life with their peers while gaining independence and developing social and communication skills.
In the older classes, our teachers are fully qualified to address the cognitive, social and developmental growth of each child for a long period of time. As such, we are able to offer a wide range of educational programs and activities that will challenge each child and help them reach their full potential.
The Montessori School of Manhattan
If you’re looking for a Montessori school in New York City, The Montessori School of Manhattan is an excellent choice. This co-ed, independent day school focuses on developing children’s innate curiosity and a love of learning. It also aims to help them grow into respectful, socially-adept and compassionate leaders.
Located in Manhattan’s West Side, the school offers preschool, kindergarten, and elementary programs for children ages 2 to 12. It offers both full-day and half-day options for students. The curriculum is designed to develop a child’s independence and self-motivation as well as their academic, social, and emotional skills.
Aside from its Montessori-based program, the school also provides an array of extracurricular activities. These include music lessons, foreign language lessons, and dance classes. In addition, the school organizes field trips to museums, galleries, and parks throughout New York City.
The school’s facilities are spacious and comfortable, featuring a wide range of materials that encourage children to explore their surroundings. It also has a library housing 6,500 children’s books.
Its classrooms are set up in an orderly manner and offer a variety of materials, including a kitchen, library, and a garden. The school’s teachers use didactic Montessori materials to engage children in hands-on learning, encouraging them to explore and absorb concepts through play.
In addition, the school also offers a comprehensive Anti-Bias and Antiracist (ABAR) program to ensure that students are treated equally no matter their background or culture. This is important for many reasons, but it especially addresses the need to create a positive culture in order to help all students thrive.
The ABAR certification program is an excellent way to ensure that your child’s school environment meets their unique needs and is inclusive. This will help your child succeed and lead a happy and healthy life.
The Montessori School of Manhattan is an independent, non-profit day school in New York City. It offers a Montessori-based curriculum for pre-k through eighth grade. It has a reputation for providing high-quality education and is an excellent option for parents who want their children to receive a top-notch education in Manhattan.
