After age 6

[PeachBaby]

I know it will vary depending on various factors, but ideally, if there are no schools after age 6, what would be the best path to take, according to the Montessori philosophy? Regular school? Private school? Homeschooling? Or any other?

[lach]

One of the reasons that I love the Montessori method is that I think it's so flexible in the skills that it teaches young children. Its concentration of patience, self-control, pride in one's work, independence, and self-reliance, combined with its ability to really make kids love to learn makes it, I think, an excellent lead-in to basically any educational path you'd like your children to take.

You would probably have to homeschool if you wanted to create an environment like in most private Montessori grade 1+ classrooms. The kids really work on their own projects at their own pace, and I don't know of any private or public school that isn't Montessori that works just like that.

I don't know for certain, but I guess I assume that Montessori's original students were hopefully going to head to regular schools. She was just tasked with creating a daycare to keep kids too young for school off of the streets. And another thing I don't know, but I would bet that turn of the century Italian schools didn't really place an emphasis on creativity and individuality: I think most schools back then were all about the rote memorization and that sort of thing.

So I know this isn't really the answer you were looking for, but I honestly don't think that there is an ideal follow-up, because I think that the transition should work well to anything. Most of the kids at DD's Montessori preschool go on to public school. I plan to homeschool using the classical method, but we'll see.

[ollyoxenfree]

Homeschooling offers the best opportunity to continue with the Montessori method. You can abide by the Montessori philosophy and buy or make the materials.

If you elect to pursue formal school, then I don't think it's possible to make a blanket statement that public or private is better. You have to scrutinize the specific schools closely and decide which is most congruent with Montessori. Personally, I'd look for the essentials of the philosophy, rather than trying to find replicas of the actual materials used in Montessori schools. For me, the philosophy provides the greatest lifetime benefits. So I'd look for respect for the child, an adherence to self-directed learning, encouragement of independence, development of mature conflict resolution mechanisms.... I think it is possible to find non-Montessori schools that reflect some or all of these beliefs.

When you visit a school, I think you can often tell if it's a respectful, nurturing learning environment. I'd look at school routines for clues about whether the teachers foster independence. Are materials within reach or are they locked up until the teacher gets them out? Do the students in primary grades still need teachers to help them with coats and shoelaces? For self-directed learning and a belief in the absorbent mind, I'd ask what sort of differentiated activities are available for students who are behind/ahead of the core group of students. Is there an attitude that there is a single, standard curriculum and all students have to adhere to it in lockstep? If yes, run - you probably won't find an approach sympathetic with Montessori, even if the standard curriculum is highly regarded as a rigorous academic program.

[cathynmatt]

My daughter is six and will be entering the Montessori Elementary. I love, love, love the philosophy and she thrives in it, so we are going forward with it. I think, if you have the option, you should definitely check it out!!!!

[KimberlyinFL]

WOW! I feel so lucky that my Montessori School is age 2 through 8th grade. After 8th grade we do Florida Vitual School at home. Right now the Montessori School is working on adding a room for all the FVS kids so they still have a class setting. It would be open every morning from 8:30 to 12:00pm.