1. Complete an application and return along with the Enrollment Fee.
2. Child Interview scheduled two weeks after receiving application.
3. Decision of Acceptance made. Notification mailed to parents.
4. Annual Down Payment and Materials Fee due 30 days after acceptance letter.
How is a Montessori education different from a traditional education?
Montessori Education | Traditional Education |
Education from birth. | Educational emphasis begins at age 6 |
Focus on child developmental needs. | Focus on teacher instruction. |
Focus on the five senses. | Ignores interconnectedness of abstract and concrete. Example – math work on paper without any visual connectives. |
Encourages independence. | Encourages group conformity. |
Freedom in a structured environment | Controlled environment with no freedom of choice. |
Self-discipline. Result of self-discipline: Teaches child to approach different situations with original thought and responsibility. | Teacher directed discipline: Child looks for established “right way” of doing things with little confidence to act independently. |
Emphasis is on holistic approach. Result is permanent learning. | Emphasis on intellectual memorization. Result is memorization, regurgitation, no retention. |
How do you blend Montessori and Christianity?
When was Montessori West Christian School founded?
Montessori West Christian School was founded in 1992 on the west side of Spartanburg as a sister school to Montessori Academy.
Where are the teachers trained?
What are the school hours?
What security measures are in place?
How can I learn more about the Montessori method of teaching?
Can I visit a classroom?
What if I have a concern?
We recommend speaking with the child’s morning teacher first. However, the Director is available as well to handle any concerns. We do encourage a team approach.
How is discipline handled?
If a child needs to reflect on his actions, the child is removed from the others and is spoken to privately about such inappropriate action. We also believe that sharing what God’s word has to say about our actions will help to shape character and encourage good behavior. When the child is ready to return to his work or play, he may do so. Many refer to this form of discipline as “time-out”. We like to take it a step further by using Scripture and speaking with the child as he takes “time-out” to think about his behavior. For younger children, simply redirecting the child is most appropriate.
“Discipline must come through liberty. . . . We do not consider an individual disciplined only when he has been rendered as artificially silent as a mute and as immovable as a paralytic. He is an individual annihilated, not disciplined.” – Maria Montessori
What can I do to volunteer?
We encourage family involvement! We welcome assistance in our garden and wildlife habitat as well as sharing a travel experience, storytelling and substituting in the classroom as needed.
What is available for children in the summer?
We offer a Summer Session similar to our Studio Programs. Our summer hours are 7:15 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.