Our
Instructional program
Montessori is a method of education that is based on self-directed activity, hands-on learning and collaborative play. In Montessori classrooms, children make creative choices in their learning, while the classroom and the teacher offer age-appropriate activities to guide the process. At IEA, Montessori also encompasses our school climate and culture. It encourages a culture that embraces care and consideration for self, others, and our environment. While the Montessori philosophy is central to our model, it also allows us to integrate other learning experiences that shape the whole child, such as blended learning and project-based learning.
What Is
Montessori
Each child is valued as a unique individual. Children learn in different ways, so students are also free to learn at their own pace, guided by the teacher and an individualized learning plan.
Students are supported in becoming active seekers of knowledge. Teachers provide environments where students have the freedom and the tools to pursue answers to their own questions.
Self-correction and self-assessment are integral. As students mature, they learn to look critically at their work.
Students develop order, coordination, concentration, and independence.
The multi-age classroom—typically spanning 3 years—re-creates a family structure. Older students enjoy being role models; younger children feel supported and gain confidence.
Working within parameters set by their teachers, students are active in deciding what their focus will be. Internal satisfaction drives the child’s curiosity and results in joyous learning.
This approach to education works. Both the Montessori curriculum and the approach that it takes to personalized learning have proven to be very successful in developing a strong academic foundation in younger students. Students have shown to have better reading and math skills than their peers in traditional schools. In addition, they demonstrated higher on tests measuring social and behavior development.