Greensboro Montessori School

The Greensboro Montessori School is committed to Montessori philosophy and practice. For almost 100 years, Montessori educators have presented a rigorous academic education tailored to prepare children for success in their various cultures. Yet, academics is only one part of the curriculum. Maria Montessori believed that children should be nurtured to develop according to their individual needs and timetables for growth. She also believed that if children were then guided as they explored awareness of themselves, their communities, and the natural world, they would develop into peaceful, fully productive adults who could benefit and steward the world with unprecedented success. At GMS we believe:

1. Children are born with the natural desire to learn.
2. Learning is a lifelong process.
3. Learning best occurs when the curriculum reflects that the developmental stages of children are fleeting, delicate, irreplaceable, and age-sensitive.
4. Learning takes place when children feel safe enough to take risks with new ideas and concepts.
5. The primary role of the teacher is to prepare the environment, observe the children, and guide them according to their developmental needs.
6. With teachers as role models, children achieve their highest potential when they are trusted, allowed to be responsible, and given opportunities to make appropriate choices.
7. Children develop toward their own potential at their own pace, and deserve a learning environment that nurtures and respects their individual strengths and
   interests.
8. Children learn by doing and from their peers. Hands on experiences and multi-age groupings have a significant impact by making the learning process relevant to their lives.
9. All children deserve an education that respects them as people and allows them to learn by experience.
10. Children learn best when academic subject areas are integrated in a way that reflects the broader world.
11. Challenging academic work is critically important to the growth of all children.
12. Academic development is integrated with the rest of a child’s development, including social, emotional, spiritual, and physical development.
13. Technology is a tool that connects people, strengthens communications, and its use is essential to prepare students to meet current and future demands.
14. Being conversant in more than one language will be vital to our children’s personal and professional success.
15. Creativity and self-expression are a valuable part of a strong academic program.
16. Learning is an indoor and outdoor activity. It is vital for children to have plenty of opportunities to work and play outdoors.
17. Through service to the community, children learn the value and responsibility of being productive members of society.
18. Outdoor and environmental education are important for children to learn how to steward the environment.
19. Children who are involved in governing the classroom and finding peaceful resolutions to conflicts from an early age are likely to develop self-discipline.
20. Welcoming people of different cultures, religions, ethnic origins, family constellations, sexual orientations, economic status, customs, languages, and heritages creates an atmosphere of awareness, understanding, respect, and peace.
21. When a parent understands and supports Montessori philosophy, the child’s educational experience is enhanced.
22. The school must maintain open and ongoing communication with parents in order to best meet the academic, social and emotional needs of the students.
23. Students, teachers, parents, administrators and trustees must work together to ensure student success, to enhance the quality of education, to preserve the school’s mission, and to build the school’s future.
24. The commitment to maintaining Montessori philosophy and continuing school improvements ensures that our students have the greatest opportunity to become confident, self-directed, life-long learners in a rapidly changing world.
25. Sharing the Montessori philosophy can benefit the greater community.