Common Core Drives Increasing Montessori Enrollment

Updated 4/21/23

For parents of young children, early education is so important. Montessori kindergartens have become an increasingly popular alternative to traditional preschool options, focusing on interactive learning through hands-on activities. The Montessori grading system is a bit different, with no letter or number grades like in public school classrooms. Instead, students in a Montessori primary classroom are encouraged through motivation and achievement, building on children’s innate desire to learn and grow.

The Montessori preschool age range starts at three years old and goes up to ages five and six. Instead of a rigorous structure where children sit through common core lessons like math, reading, and writing, Montessori kindergartens help students learn through engagement and self-discovery. Auto-education Montessori examples include arts and crafts, imaginative play, and acts of service such as cleaning and helping one another, just to name a few.

As more parents seek a different form of early education than common core, Montessori kindergartens continue to flourish. If you’re interested in auto-education Montessori examples, keep reading to learn more about Montessori kindergartens and what kids can learn there.

The Montessori method of education differs from the common core standards that are generally used at the kindergarten level and in elementary and secondary schools throughout the United States. The differences pertain to both the manner in which information is presented and the relationship between students and teachers. If you are a parent, you should consider these differences before asking yourself, “Should I send my children to any of the Montessori accredited schools near me?”

Montessori preschool methods emphasize learning through play focused on certain subjects. Missing are the worksheets and common routines that are part of conventional preschool activities. The Montessori approach to early childhood education gives more independence to the children to learn at their own levels. Additionally, the Montessori elementary curriculum places greater emphasis on visual material and demonstrations.

Another aspect of the Montessori method is the attention given to individual students in place of the group learning activities practiced in other schools. This can be accomplished by the significantly lower student-per-teacher ratio that is common in public schools.

Parents should realize that any academy Montessori facility will strive for the goal of preparing students for higher education and life in general.

Three Ithaca Montessori schools saw record enrollment rates for the 2014-2015 school year, and are attributing the increased enrollment to public schools’ troubles with the Common Core curriculum. Namaste Montessori School currently has 75 students, while the Elizabeth Ann Clune Montessori School of Ithaca has 230. Trumansburg Montessori School, which has only one room, was meant to have only 16 students, but has exceeded capacity for a total of 17 students.

Laura Gottfried, principal of the Elizabeth Ann Clune Montessori School of Ithaca, explained to the Ithaca Week that the students that come to her school from public schools are often more hesitant to learn.

“They could come in anxious, they could come in shut down, they could come in afraid to risk academically.”

The Common Core curriculum places an emphasis on test scores and numbers, rather than mastery of the subject. This, say critics, prevents public school faculty from being able to teach effectively. Many teachers end up customizing lesson plans to what will be on the test, rather than what the students need to know.

The Montessori curriculum focuses on the student as an individual, and has very limited testing. Students learn at their own pace, allowing them to feel comfortable with a concept before moving on to the next topic. Because students are in control of their own education, their natural curiosity and love of learning are encouraged.

Montessori schools in Ithaca aren’t the only ones seeing enrollment growth. In Arizona, hopeful parents are camping outside Hermosa Montessori School days before open enrollment begins. With capacity set at 250 students, student placements are in high demand. In Arizona, Montessori education is tuition-free, allowing low-income parents the same chance at opportunity as those who are well off.

There are an estimated 4,500 Montessori schools in the United States.