When parents begin their search for preschools, Montessori programs are often among the initial choices they explore.
Although various studies have demonstrated favorable results for preschoolers who have undergone Montessori education, there are still concerns and uncertainties surrounding it.
Let us examine the primary reasons associated with the Montessori philosophy.
Montessori high school is not as popular as Montessori Preschool and Elementary.
In fact, there are only about 150 Montessori high schools in the country, both public and private schools, compared to over 5000 Montessori preschools and elementary schools.
Because of this, parents wonder…
Are Montessori high schools good? Yes, Montessori high school is good. The Montessori method and approach are used in all Montessori schools at all age levels. It provides the same advantages and benefits as Montessori preschool and elementary. Below, we discuss 5 specific reasons why Montessori secondary-level education is good.
What Does Montessori High School Teach?
Montessori high school teaches rigorous academic studies, life skills, and social-emotional skills.
Students in high school are in a unique developmental stage with different educational needs. Montessori high school aims to support and address those needs during the age when students experience major changes in their bodies, social roles, and environment.
The work and activities in Montessori high school are designed to teach lessons that will respond to the following:
- Cognitive ability
High school students are adolescents that are critical thinkers.
They are curious and love to ask “Why?” They love to debate and reason.
These are good qualities that will be nurtured and honed in Montessori.
- Physical ability
Ages 12 to 18 years old is a confusing time physically.
Their bodies are changing and their hormones are raging.
Montessori addresses these changes and engages students physically to keep them active and productive.
- Emotional ability
The age of puberty causes changes in behavior. Students become emotional and irrational.
They are more self-aware and prone to self-criticism and egotism.
They constantly seek freedom and are susceptible to peer pressure.
- Social ability
During this time, children learn to seek their own peers or community.
They look for a sense of belongingness. they start to distance themselves from adults, especially their parents.
They start to feel for human welfare and empathy.
They take risks to express courage and creativity.
These developmental stages they are in make high school students vulnerable. This is a critical stage. The Montessori method ensures that all these are supported and addressed.
What is the Montessori Method?
Dr. Maria Montessori, an Italian physician, introduced the Montessori method in 1907.
This educational approach, which Dr. Montessori referred to as “scientific education,” is founded on the principle that children achieve optimal learning outcomes when they actively engage with their environment and have the freedom to select what they learn based on their individual needs.
Montessori classrooms are organized into mixed-age groups, typically with a maximum age difference of three years among the students.
Within these classrooms, children have the freedom to choose from a specific range of educational materials to engage with.
In Montessori classrooms, teachers assume the role of guides and mentors, offering individualized assistance to students.
While they may demonstrate certain activities, they do not conduct lessons that are directed by adults.
The actual learning takes place as children independently navigate and complete project tasks.
One notable aspect of the Montessori approach is that children are given extended periods of time to work on activities, allowing them to progress at their own pace.
Additionally, this educational method differs from conventional systems in that it does not involve grading, homework assignments, or standardized tests.
Below are the reasons why Montessori secondary-level education is good.
1. The Montessori Public and Private High School Environment
The Montessori high school environment is still a student-centered classroom that enables students to organize, manage their own time, and self-regulate within a group context.
At this stage, the students are almost adults so the hands-on training is geared toward the individual’s relationship with society.
In the prepared environment, children develop their own educational process through self-directed learning. The philosophy allows students to develop their love for learning and gain a sense of independence to make learning as an enjoyable experience.
2. Multi-Age Classroom
Each classroom has 2 to 3 age levels to keep the population diverse. High school Montessori focuses on academics, leadership, and collaborative work.
Aside from academic lessons, the class holds regular student-led community meetings that mimic what happens in society.
It is focused more on applied scientific methods, and inquiry-based problem-solving methods, and teaches respect for diversity of thoughts, perspectives, and learning styles.
Appreciation for differences fosters compassionate and respectful relationships.
The student-centered approach allows for children to collaborate with others and learn from one another.
Young learners n in both private and public Montessori high schools can learn and grow in the Montessori environment and share the same learning materials for more experiential learning.
3. Uninterrupted Work Periods
The daily Montessori schedule allows for at least 2-hour periods (or more) of uninterrupted work. This can involve core curriculum subjects like sciences, math, language, history, arts, humanities, etc.
Uninterrupted work fosters self-reliance, collaborative work, independence, and confidence which high school students need when they move on to higher education and adulthood.
During this stage, interdisciplinary opportunities for students are also posed to widen their horizons for their futures.
4. Spiral Curriculum
Montessori believes in the value of repetition to help master a subject. The spiral curriculum for high school students does not just repeat topics, it deepens the learning as each student progresses.
The spiral curriculum helps students process new information and retain them.
5. Support Special Needs
The Montessori philosophy, known as “follow the child,” fosters personalized early childhood education that enables children to reach their distinct potentials.
This educational approach originated from Dr. Montessori’s work in her psychiatric clinic, where she focused on children with special needs.
Dr. Montessori believed that the difficulties faced by these children were primarily a result of inadequate interaction with their environment, rather than solely medical issues.
The learning materials in Montessori elementary and middle school classrooms were specifically designed to help children develop the skills necessary for effective engagement with their surroundings, irrespective of their individual needs by focusing on the whole child.
Additional Components of the Secondary Montessori Curriculum
The high school Montessori recognizes the need for students to prepare for college where academics and tests are involved. Montessori high school is a transition period between Montessori and higher education.
Aside from rigorous academic training, the secondary curriculum of Montessori also includes:
- Outdoor experiences like nature exploration will cultivate love and respect for the environment.
- Responsible and ethical usage of gadgets and technology.
- Learning activities that encourage student-to-student (peer-to-peer) and student-to-teacher interactions and relationships.
- Providing a community within the class where students can participate in student government and other leadership opportunities.
Obstacles Faced by Montessori High Schools
Despite the long-standing presence of the Montessori philosophy, there is a scarcity of high secondary schools that adopt this model, particularly in the public sector.
While there isn’t an official database of Montessori middle schools, it is estimated that there are approximately 20 public Montessori middle schools, as reported by the National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector (NCMPS).
David Ayer, the Communications Director for NCMPS, explains that Dr. Montessori extensively developed pedagogy and curriculum up to the sixth grade during her lifetime.
However, there is a lack of clear guidance on implementing Montessori principles in middle school education. As a result, there is no consensus on what defines a Montessori middle school education.
Logistical challenges also pose significant hurdles.
This level of education requires specialized teachers, which incurs additional tuition costs and necessitates a sufficiently large student body to ensure economic viability.
However, larger schools and class sizes make it more difficult to uphold the core values of Montessori education.
Furthermore, the suitability of a large community, comprising 1,500 to 2,000 students, for effective adolescent learning is questioned.
The conventional schedule of many high and middle schools presents a fundamental barrier as well.
With short class durations of around 40 minutes, it becomes challenging to delve deeply into subjects and foster critical thinking.
Additionally, Montessori classrooms do not segregate students into advanced courses, which many high schools consider crucial for college preparation. Balancing the cultivation of empathy, kindness, and academic engagement becomes complex.
Another major challenge to establishing high schools as a widespread model is that they thrive best as an extension of Montessori education in earlier grades.
Students who have grown up in nurturing relationships with teachers and peers are already familiar with the expectations and have received guidance on decision-making in their learning journey.
In contrast, classrooms face difficulties when accommodating a large number of students without this foundation. The absence of such groundwork often leads to challenges in decision-making and interpersonal relationships, resulting in a chaotic classroom environment.
Summary
Montessori secondary schools are just as good as Montessori preschools and elementary. The Montessori method and approach are used in all Montessori schools at all age levels. It provides the same advantages and benefits at all levels.
High school is a crucial period for children not just as students but as adults. This is the time that they can prepare for more independence and hard work in college and practice adulthood. Your support as parents during this time is essential to their success as an individual.
FAQs
Do Montessori middle school students do good in college? Yes, they do. Montessori students perform as well, some do better than students from traditional schools. Students with Montessori training do well in adjusting to a new environment and time management. Further, the students also go through rigorous academic training so they do not lag in a traditional setting. The values and virtues they learn in Montessori also come in handy in dealing with different social and emotional challenges college students go through.
Are Montessori students more successful compared to students from traditional schools? Yes, research shows that students with a Montessori background are more successful in higher education and adulthood. This is because they are not only taught academics but also trained in core values and behaviors that will help them become well-balanced individuals who can become productive members of society.
What do Montessori secondary school students learn compared to regular school? Montessori middle school students learn the same academic subjects traditional students learn. The difference is the method of how it is taught. Aside from academics, they are also taught basic life skills and advanced life skills they can use outside of school. Montessori does not only train children to be excellent students, they are trained to be outstanding human beings.
Are middle school Montessori students prepared for college? Yes, the middle school curriculum is designed to prepare students for college and higher education. It serves as a transition period so students can adjust to the college’s ways and culture.