North Shoreview Montessori

North Shoreview Montessori (NSM) combines the benefits of a Montessori education and the development of the whole child with a public-school experience.

1) At NSM, the classroom is organized around the child as a learner. Children are encouraged to work at their own pace with the sequential Montessori curriculum and materials they have chosen, either alone or with others. These materials are designed to move children from concrete to abstract understanding.

2) NSM's excellent staff has specialized training in the Montessori philosophy, curriculum, and strategies as well as state certification and is committed to ongoing professional development.

3) NSM's goal of lower class size is realized by having all kindergarten through third grade classes at 20:1 and all fourth and fifth grade classes with a class size of 20-24 during language arts.

4) NSM students have access to a wide variety of district support services and programs to meet their needs, including Gifted and Talented Education (GATE), Special Education, Music, Peace Makers, and the Children's Annex before- and after-school program. In addition, our children have access to other programs such as tutoring, field trips, monthly assemblies, and the Boys and Girls Club on a regular basis.

5) NSM's classrooms are places where children experience the joy of learning. The classrooms are fully equipped with a rich array of Montessori and other materials to challenge and engage all children.

6) At NSM, students are actively engaged in using technology for learning in the classroom as well as in the fully equipped computer lab. Staff members, as well as parent volunteers, support the lab. Classes attend the computer lab on a scheduled weekly basis.

7) NSM capitalizes on the rich diversity of its student body which is reflective of the world in which our children live. This diversity helps to promote Montessori's Education for Peace program.

8) NSM's environment is safe and fosters a strong sense of community, responsibility, and caring among children, staff, and parents.

9) NSM creates life-long learners by supporting children's natural curiosity, independence, responsibility, productivity, decision-making, and problem solving.

10) NSM is a place where parent and family partnerships make a valuable contributions to NSM's success.

11) The NSM curriculum and educational strategies are aligned with the California state educational standards.

12) Schoolwide, NSM students are making steady progress in achievement with significant increases in the California Standards Test. A study comparing outcomes of children at a public inner-city Montessori school with children who attended traditional schools indicates that Montessori education leads to children with better social and academic skills. The study appears in the September 29, 2006, issue of Scientific American: "Students Prosper with Montessori Method."