The Montessori Education is uniquely self-directed. Particularly at the preprimary level, children are not ushered through a series of centers, or lessons and rarely, are all the children in the classroom engaged in the same activity at the same time. The materials in a Montessori classroom are often rooted in the everyday or what Montessorians describe as “practical life.”
Observing at The Summit School, you will see what is immediately clear. Maria Montessori, the philosophy’s founder, described a Montessori education as an “education for life” and indeed, the intention behind some of the best known Montessori tools, or “work”, the universality of what the materials teach uncovers the truth behind many misconceptions. The lessons learned in a Montessori classroom go a long way to building a sense of community as “everybody has a way to participate.” We believe that Montessori education “develops a sense of self that leads the child to connect in a nurturing way with others,” and that, “Children learn in a natural environment where it’s safe. The adults don’t become the obstacle to learning; rather we set it up and move out of the child’s way.” Throughout all levels at The Summit School parents share common goals for their children. They believe that a school should help children: to develop initiative, to foster creativity, to provide a strong sense of self and to teach relationship to community. As an educational staff, our goals include these themes but also “the development of the whole child based on social, cognitive, physical needs, with the child engaged in their own learning.” Just how that engagement happens is one of the key things that sets Montessori education at The Summit School Montessori apart from other approaches to learning. Another way many describe the Montessori environment is “Freedom within limits.” «When people say, ‘Where’s the teacher?’ we tell them we’re there to balance what’s happening. You put your work away for the next person, that teaches rights and responsibilities, this makes us citizens of the world.”
The program nurtures and cultivates children’s innate curiosity and love of learning while, guiding them in development of their basic reading, writing, math and computer skills. The approach is interdisciplinary and experiential, with critical thinking skills and the arts integrated into the curriculum at all levels. Field trips and outdoor education experiences enhance the program.
The curriculum is integrated and taught with effective modern methods of instruction, while being flexible with respect to students’ progress and to our constantly changing society. The school is accredited by the Ministry of Education of the Government of Costa Rica, courses are similar to those in a North American school.
The development and presentation of the curriculum at TSS is a shared effort. Teachers and administrators work together in an atmosphere of mutual respect and creativity, to enhance every aspect of our academic program and school life.
The philosophical foundation is based on the premise that education should be an aid to life. Children must have freedom through order and self discipline in order to develop their physical, intellectual and spiritual powers to the fullest. Respect for a child´s personality and trust in the inner potentialities are prerequisite to the foundation of adequate educational alliance.
Maria Montessori talked about a child’s natural inclination for order and indeed, our classrooms are very organized with students as young as three learning to put back their materials when they are finished and not to disturb another child at “work.” Rather than being rigid, practical life materials and the care of them teaches self-discipline, courtesy and respect, and patience. It can be a challenge for a child to learn not to interrupt another child who is busily engaged in an activity. But learning to watch and observe, particularly in the multiage classroom, which is a signature of the Montessori environment, has great educational benefits that are visible throughout the eleven years cycle at The Summit School.
© 2022 Derechos Reservados - The Summit School - Diseño por: CNET Technology Systems
