About Us

Contents

Our School Mission 

We are a community of children, teachers, and parents who have come together to provide "Education for Life".
Our goal is to ensure that every child at Lake Murray Montessori School is nurtured emotionally, academically, socially and physically. We believe that all children are gifted. Our job is to nourish and channel their natural love of learning and facilitate their development as whole, unique individuals who respect and value themselves and others.
We at Lake Murray view education not merely as the passing on of knowledge; rather as an aid to life. 

The Montessori Approach to Learning 

Lake Murray offers a comprehensive internationally recognized Montessori education for children ages 2 to 6. The Montessori program allows children to progress at their own rates and choose their own activities under the observant guidance of a trained teacher. The classroom environment is scientifically designed so that children will have opportunities to explore, first, their immediate world and, later, the entire universe.

Dr. Maria Montessori designed educational materials that are beautiful, inviting, and self-correcting. Children are naturally drawn to these materials, and they are encouraged to work independently and without interruption until they feel satisfied and move onto another activity. Montessori materials not only teach vital skills and develop an understanding of basic concepts; they also build concentration, independence and self-esteem. As the children experience the joy that comes from successful completion of constructive activity, they are learning that "I can do it by myself."

The Montessori educational approach is concerned with the total development of the child. Social and emotional growth is gently nurtured by teachers who model kind and courteous behavior. Children are treated with unfailing respect, and they are taught to extend the same respect to both peers and adults. As they work within a mixed-age group, children in a Montessori classroom develop cooperation, patience, and sensitivity to others' needs and feelings. 

Montessori Philosophy 

Maria Montessori, a legendary innovator, was the first female physician in Italy. Through observations in her medical practice, she analyzed how children learn - particularly from their environment.

She found that:
  • We are all motivated by a natural curiosity and love of learning
  • Teachers should cultivate a student's natural desire to learn

Montessori teachers are
  • Child advocates who respect each child's individuality
  • Facilitators who strive to educate the whole child

Montessori classrooms are
  • Purposefully prepared environments
  • Learner-centered
  • Developmentally appropriate
  • Equipped with self-correcting materials meant to engage young learners

In a Montessori classroom, we encourage children to 
  • Explore and discover
  • Work independently at their own pace
  • Develop a sense of mastery and accomplishment
  

Top 5 Reason to Choose Lake Murray Montessori School

1. Child Centered Learning : Our Programs focus on the children not the teacher. Our classrooms are specially prepared to encourage each child to actively participate in his/her learning experience.

2. High-Quality Staff : Certified teachers complete extensive training to meet the individual needs of each child.

3. Secure Learning Environment : Our primary consideration in the design of our programs, policies and facilities is, of course, our children's safety. Your child will feel secure and comfortable in every class.

4. Spacious Classrooms and Quality Class Materials : Our classrooms have enough space for children and the class materials are selected carefully for the best quality.

5. Family Flexibility : Lake Murray Montessori School offers before and after educational program 7:30 AM to 5:45PM  

What Sets Montessori Apart?

Montessori

  • Emphasis on cognitive development
  • Mainly individual instruction
  • Mixed age groups
  • Child works his/her own pace
  • Environment and method encourage self discipline

Traditional

  • Emphasis on social development
  • Mainly group instruction
  • Same-age groups
  • Group sets instructional pace
  • Teacher acts as enforcer of discipline

Observation

We welcome and encourage visitors to our classrooms. Parents of new children are asked to wait six weeks before observing the class to allow children time to adapt. Please inform your child that you will be visiting the class and that you have come to see the children work. We appreciate observers who attempt to MINIMIZE their impact on the classroom. Please be sure to schedule your visit with the office. Observation is difficult. It is important that you observe as a naturalist observes-without interaction that would disrupt and change the phenomenon.

Guidelines
  • Please sit quietly.
  • Do not interact with the teacher unless you are approached.
  • If children approach you, be pleasant but brief. You may say something like "I came to see you work."
  • Observe the entire class.
  • Observe one child within the classroom, of different ages.
  • Look for qualities of independence, self-discipline, self-direction, attention, concentration and joy.
 Enjoy your visit!

 Useful Information & Links 

American Montessori Society (AMS)
Since its formation in 1960, the American Montessori Society (AMS) has been the mainstay of the Montessori movement in the United States. AMS is a non-profit, non-discriminatory service organization dedicated to stimulating the use of the Montessori teaching approach in private and public schools.

Montessori Centre International
Montessori Centre International is a joint venture between Montessori St Nicholas Centre and London Montessori Centre. By working together the new company draws on the strengths from both organizations, combining the educational expertise of the Montessori St Nicholas Charitable Trust and business expertise of Asquith Court Schools.

The North American Montessori Teachers' Association (NAMTA)
The North American Montessori Teachers' Association is a membership organization open to parents, teachers, and anyone else interested in Montessori education. NAMTA provides a medium of study, interpretation, and improvement of Montessori education through its publications, audio-visual collection, electronic communications, conferences, and research and service projects throughout North America and the world.

Books By Maria Montessori

  • * The Child In The Family - Avon Books, NY, 1970
Montessori's view of child development as it relates to the natural, practical upbringing of children

  • * The Secret Of Childhood - Ballantine Books, NY, 1972
Describes the child's spontaneous urge to learn and the approaches, environment and techniques needed to release his or her learning potential.

  • The Discovery Of The Child - Ballantine Books, NY, 1967
Describes the universal nature of the child, the thrust toward self-development and Montessori's approach of working with the child's intuitive desire to learn.

  • The Absorbent Mind - Dell, NY, 1967
Explains the child's physical, social and intellectual development from pre-birth on.

  • Dr. Montessori's Own Handbook - Schocken Books, NY, 1965
First Printed in response to requests from American parents and teachers who found The Montessori Method too theoretical. Offers specific information on materials, techniques and Montessori principles.

  • From Child To Adolescence - Schocken Books, NY, 1973
Montessori philosophy as applied to children of school age, from elementary through post-secondary

  • Childhood Education - New American Library, NY, 1949
Subtitled "The Montessori Method - It's Origins, Difficulties, Achievements and Contemporary Applications." First published under the title of The Formation Of Man.

  • The Montessori Method - Schocken Book, NY, 1964
The history and philosophy of the Montessori method including a description of specific materials and classroom techniques suited to children aged 2 1/2-7.

  • Spontaneous Activity In Education - Bentley Books, Cambridge, MA., 1971
The Montessori philosophy of education for children aged 7-12.

* Recommended first readings.

Books by Other Authors

  • Montessori For Parents by Canfield Fisher - Robert Bentley, Cambridge, MA, 1965
  • The Montessori Manual For Teachers by Dorothy Canfield Fisher - Robert Bentley, Cambridge, MA, 1965
  • Ready Your Child For School The Montessori Way by Lena Gitter - St. Meinard Archabbey, 1969.
An expected Montessori teacher explains ways in which parents can implement Montessori principles at home.

  • The Montessori Way by Lena Gitter - St. Meinrad Archabbey, 1969
  • Teaching Montessori In The Home by Elizabeth G. Hainstock - Random House, NY, 1968
Describes the classroom materials designed and used by Maria Montessori.

  • Maria Montessori: A Biography by Rita Kramer - Putnam, NY, 1977
  • Montessori: A Modern Approach by Paula Polk Lillard - Schocken Books, NY, 1972
A condensed overview of the Montessori movement.

  • Montessori Today by R.C. Orem - Putnam, NY, 1977
  • Montessori: Her Method And the Movement by R. C. Orem - Putnam, NY, 1977
  • Montessori And The Speciaal Child by R.C. Orem - Capricorn Books, Putnam, NY, 1969
A Collection of articles on the application of Montessori principles to educating the handicapped, disadvantaged and other children with special needs.

  • Montessori For The Disadvantaged by R. C. Orem - Putnam, NY, 1968
Subtitled "An Application Of Montessori Educational Principles To The War On Poverty." A collection of articles.

  • Maria Montessori: Her Life And Work by E. M. Standing - New American Library, NY, 1962
This biography includes detailed discussions of how Montessori's educational theories developed throughout the course of her life.

  • Education for Human Development by Mario Montessori Jr. - Schocken Books, NY, 1976
Written by Maria Montessori's grandson, a psychoanalyst, Mario discusses Montessori's views relative to modern psychology and modern educational philosophy.

  • Learning How To Learn by Nancy Rambusch - Helicon Press, Baltimore, MD, 1963