Having established themselves in the community for the past three years, the Montessori School of Clarkston is looking to expand.
The Montessori School of Clarkston opened in Sept. 2003 with two classrooms for children ages 3-5. Starting in Fall 2006, the Clarkston school will have a single classroom for students age 6-9, which expands the current program to reach third grade
The Montessori method consists of observing the individual child and aiding in their natural development.
Rather than maintaining a strict schedule of lessons, as is common in traditional classrooms, the Montessori theory allows children to work at their own pace. In a multi-age environment, the lesson plans and workloads are tailored to meet each student’s needs and abilities. By giving them the freedom of choice as well as an uninterrupted work time, children are able to quench their thirst for knowledge. Language, science, art, math, geography and music are studied simultaneously in the classroom.
School owner Dee Dee Campbell described the school’s teaching method as a ‘prepared environment.?
The teacher prepares the environment in advance giving children the opportunity to learn directly from the environment, rather than needing the teacher exclusively.
‘They can work long and harder at what they need. If it’s something they grasp, they can go as quick as they need or we’ll stay and work on that concept because they’ve got to master one step before they move on to the next step,? Campbell said.
Based on the philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori, the school’s programs let students work with concrete concepts in the learning manner that works best for them ? whether audio, visual or tactile ? in an open environment where the teacher acts more as a supervisor.
‘Dr. Montessori’s methods allow the teacher to help the child as a whole, nurturing emotional, physical and social growth,? said Simone Faulkner-Hamel, a Montessori teacher. ‘I was attracted to Montessori’s teachings because it promotes the child’s character development. Teaching children to care for themselves, others and their environment prepares them to become integral members of society.?
The Montessori school system continues all the way through high school, but Campbell said many schools only feature classes for students in the preschool and K-1 age levels.
. Campbell said the idea for expanding came after satisfied parents expressed an interest in keeping their children enrolled in a Montessori program.
‘These parents that have come the full cycle… want to continue with the Montessori and have asked us to expand, and that’s why we are expanding,? said owner Campbell.
Campbell, who used to work as a public school teacher, said she was introduced to the Montessori method in 1994 and was intrigued. Campbell decided to open her own school with her husband David, but she waited until they settled in one location, which ended up being Clarkston.
For the last three years, Campbell said the school was welcomed by the Clarkston community and shown steady growth. Expansion is the response.
For now, Campbell said she is not anticipating expanding beyond the 6-9 age group, but time will tell.
With the new program, Campbell said she expects to start small, with only a dozen students to first year, and add more as students move up from the younger age group. Campbell said she is also looking for a new teacher to help get the program off to a good start, and is currently taking applications.
Anyone interested in applying for the open position or enrolling their child in the Montessori program can contact the school at 248-620-2190. msoc@earthlink.net.