Dr. Montessori's Scientific Approach
Our philosophy and methods are based on the work and teachings of the late Dr. Maria Montessori, a medical doctor who, in the early 1900's, developed a scientifically-based method for teaching children. Her philosophy and teachings flourish today because they are still very relevant in today's modern society. We encourage you to become more familiar with her work and dedication to the education of children.

The Montessori Method Throughout the World
There are over 5,000 Montessori schools in North America and up to one hundred thousand worldwide. Montessori schools in the United States exist in a variety of forms, including private non-profit schools, private home-based schools, public schools, and in Head Start programs. Montessori schools can be found throughout the world including Western Europe, Central and South America, Australia, New Zealand and much of Asia. The movement is especially widespread in India, Sri Lanka, Korea, and Japan and is beginning to grow in Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, and China. As our world grows smaller, this is of particular benefit to families who may relocate to a new country.

Harbor Montessori's Four Pillars
The Montessori philosophy at Harbor Montessori School encourages children to develop inner discipline, including order, concentration and independence, from an early age. Our children learn in an atmosphere of respect, honor, warmth and peace, based on these four pillars:

Passion for Excellence
A passion for excellence speaks to our academic rigor. Primary children who have been with us for the three-year cycle are typically reading and doing four-digit addition with materials. The children also study botany, zoology, geology, astronomy, and anatomy. In Lower Elementary, children begin their study of chemistry and begin algebra. In Upper Elementary, the students study ancient civilizations, the Renaissance and reformation and the America's, in addition to, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, and Anatomy. By the time our students finish the sixth grade, they have studied the equivalent of a high school general track curriculum. To explore more on this topic, please see our Middle School curriculum outline.

Global Understanding
Global understanding is the result of children exploring all seven continents starting in our Primary program. The children view the various continents through the eyes of a child living there. They study the plants, animals, earth forms and the culture of each continent. Each year, the Lower Elementary explores one continent in depth. In Upper Elementary, the class covers all of human history, and the Middle School focuses on the commonalities in history.

Universal Values
While Montessori teaching doesn't promote any specific religion, it is respectful of all religions. We believe there are specific universal values common to all, and we work to promote them. These are things like kindness to others, truthfulness, and common courtesy.

Culture of Service
A culture of service models the importance of service to others and to the environment. The children in a class often sponsor their own student led philanthropy project, as well as, participate in all-school projects. Annual all-school projects include donating and working at the FISH food bank, donating to Second Chance Cat Rescue and our own Valentine's Day project. For Valentine's Day, in lieu of a card and candy exchange, the Primary children make valentines, the Lower Elementary write messages in them, and then the Upper Elementary and Middle School students deliver them to some of our local retirement homes. Each year we also raise salmon for Minter Creek Hatchery. In 2006, we had a special opportunity to participate in a native plant rescue at the soon to be Costco store site. In 2005, the children held a car wash for Hurricane Katrina victims, in addition to raising money for tsunami victims in Sri Lanka. Children gain so much self-confidence knowing they can make a difference in the world.

Montessori Basics"
At Harbor Montessori, your child is guided by an AMS trained teacher(s). That means:

Individualized Lessons:
Each child is given individualized lessons based on their own level of mastery in all subject areas. This means that your child's potential is maximized. He/she never has to wait for others to catch up, nor are they passed by because he/she needed a little extra time to truly understand the material.

Attention to Learning Styles:
Every individualized lesson has a visual, auditory, and kinesthetic component to again maximize each child's learning. No matter what style of learning your child uses best, their needs are met. This system of learning even accommodates students whose learning style changes between different subjects areas. (e.g. visual preferred for math, kinesthetic for science).

Multi-Age Classes:
Children remain with their teachers and classmates for three years. The children forge strong bonds and truly become a community. The class is stable because only the oldest children move on to the next level. In this model, the child has the opportunity to experience a variety of social roles despite their birth order (youngest, middle, oldest). The children learn to actually resolve their differences because they don't simply move on to another group. As they grow older and more capable, their leadership skills grow too. They often assume the role of a teacher, helping care for the classroom environment and the younger children. When a child teachers another child, they solidify their mastery of the subject. More importantly, their confidence soars.

Inviting Environments:
Montessori classrooms are bright, inviting, and filled with plants, books, animals, art, and music. Montessori classrooms are commonly called "prepared environments." This is an expression of the care and attention given to meeting the child's needs.

Respect and Independence:
Montessori schools believe that each child deserves full respect. This respect creates an atmosphere where learning is facilitated. If they knew the words, even very young children would ask: "Help me learn to do it myself."

To think, Collaborate, and Discover:
Montessori teaches children to think and leads them to discover answers for themselves. Montessori teachers treat each child as a unique individual learner and help them learn at their own pace.

Montessori Materials:
Montessori materials create a road map for children to move from the concrete to the abstract. The materials are beautiful, provocative, and simple. They stimulate the child into logical thought and discovery

Twelve Points of the Montessori Method 

• Children love intellectual work, spontaneously chosen and carried out with profound joy.
• Teachers work with children individually in each subject, guiding them according to individual needs.
• The Montessori teachers work to eliminate competition. There are plenty of opportunities among the children for mutual help – which is joyfully given and gratefully received.
• The Montessori method is based on years of patient observation of children’s natures.
• It has been successful for children of almost every nation, race, color, climate, nationality, social rank, and type of civilization.
• Children need to learn by doing. At each stage in the child’s mental growth, Montessori classrooms provide activities to help the child develop.
• The Montessori classroom offers spontaneity, and can help children reach a higher level of scholastic achievement than in traditional classrooms.
• Montessori teachers develop discipline without the need for rewards and punishments. It is a proactive discipline that originates with the child.
• The Montessori method is based on a profound respect for the child’s personality, enabling the child to grow independently.
• Each child works at his/her own pace. Quick learners are not held back, and those who need more time are not pushed ahead before they are ready.
• Without competition and coercion, the child is freed from overstrain, feelings of inferiority, and other common negative educational experiences.
• The Montessori method develops the whole personality of the child, not merely intellectual faculties, but also powers of deliberation, initiative, and independent choice. By living as a member of a social community, the child develops the qualities that form the basis of good citizenship and a lifelong love of learning.

Specific Details about the Montessori Method 

The schedule -The three-hour work period
Under the age of six, there are one or two 3-hour, uninterrupted, work periods each day, not broken up by required group lessons. Older children schedule meetings or study groups with each other the teacher when necessary.  Adults and children respect concentration and do not interrupt someone who is busy at a task. Groups form spontaneously or are arranged ahead by special appointment.  They almost never take precedence over self-selected work. 

Multi-age grouping 
Children are grouped in mixed ages and abilities in three year spans: 0-3, 3-6, 6-9, 9-12, 12-15, 15-18. There is constant interaction, problem solving, child to child teaching, and socialization. Children are challenged according to their ability and never bored.

Work centers 
The environment is arranged according to subject area, and children are always free to move around the room instead of staying at desks. There is no limit to how long a child can work with a piece of material. At any one time in a day all subjects -- math, language, science, history, geography, art, music, etc., will be being studied, at all levels.

Teaching method - "Teach by teaching, not by correcting"
There are no papers turned back with red marks and corrections. Instead the child's effort and work is respected as it is. The teacher, through extensive observation and record-keeping, plans individual projects to enable each child to learn what he needs in order to improve.