Montessori Philosophy

  Frequently Asked Questions

  Admissions

  Fundraising

  Pay Tuition

  Donations

  Forms

  American Montessori Society

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Montessori Education?
Montessori is a method of teaching children in an individualized way to meet the needs of each and every child. Lessons are taught individually and at the pace of each individual child. Montessori is a hands-on way of teaching children through the use of learning materials that can be manipulated with the child’s hands.

What ages of children can attend?
Right now we are accepting children, ages 24 months to 35 months for the Pre-primary Program; ages 3, 4, 5 for the Primary Program; ages 6, 7, 8 for the Elementary Program (grades 1, 2, 3); and ages 9, 10, 11 for the Upper Elementary Program (grades 4, 5, 6).

How are children grouped?
Children are grouped in multi-age classrooms. two-year olds are grouped together in the Pre-primary class; children ages 3, 4, and 5 are grouped together in the Primary classrooms; children ages 6, 7, and 8, in the Elementary classroom; and children ages 9, 10, and 11 are grouped together in the Upper Elementary classroom.  Children are placed based on availability. The Primary classrooms are divided as evenly as possible by age and gender.

Why multi-age classrooms?
Multi-age classrooms give children a sense of community by allowing them to interact with others at various developmental and intellectual stages.  A multi-age classroom also allows for children to be introduced to concepts that are appropriate for them individually.  Each classroom has a wide array of learning materials to meet the individual needs of each child within the class.

Does this mean children are teaching children?
A Montessori-trained teacher always teaches initial lessons. In a multi-age environment, however, younger children can also learn from older children, and can look ahead to what they will soon be learning. Older children have an opportunity to teach what is familiar to them, and as any teacher knows, teaching is the best way to learn.

What is individualized learning?
In a Montessori school, the teacher teaches children one-on-one.  Each child progresses through the Montessori curriculum at his or her own pace.  Children who are gifted in a particular subject area are encouraged to move on at a faster pace.  Children who may need more time with a particular concept are given the extra time needed to be successful without the fear or pressures of falling behind.  Because teachers have the specialized Montessori training, they know when the right time is to introduce new concepts to children. 

What is FACTS Tuition?
Messiah Montessori School has contracted with a company called FACTS Tuition Management Company. This company will collect tuition in a variety of ways. The annual fee is paid directly to the company. More information will be supplied with enrollment.

Are there discounts for additional children?
There is a 10% discount for a second or third child enrolled at Messiah Montessori School.

What are the school hours?
7:00 am – 5:30 pm Extended Day (Before School Care is 7:00 – 8:15 am, After Care is 2:30 – 5:30 pm)
8:30 am – 2:30 pm Full Day Pre-primary and Primary
8:30 am – 11:30 am Half Day Pre-primary and Primary
8:15 am – 2:45 pm Elementary (Full day only)

Can my child attend two/three days per week?
Yes, if he or she is two, three or four years old. Five days per week is encouraged for three and four year olds. The routine is very important to adjustment and developing skills and friendships, as well as gaining independence and receiving instruction.

What will my child wear to school?
Primary and Elementary-aged children will wear uniforms. Messiah Montessori School uniforms may be ordered and purchased through Academic Fashions located on Towne Lake Parkway in Woodstock. Boys will wear khaki pants or shorts; girls will wear khaki skirts, skorts, or pants. All children will wear dark green, yellow, or denim collared short-sleeve or long-sleeve shirts, with the Messiah Montessori School logo. Pullovers, sweaters, and jackets are optional. More details will be given upon enrollment.

What is the lunch situation?
Parents will send a nutritious lunch from home in a lunchbox. A refrigerator and microwave are available. Staff will microwave items that need to be heated for Pre-primary and Primary children. Elementary children will have supervised access to microwaves.

Will my child have a snack?
Messiah Montessori School will provide a morning snack for Pre-primary and Primary-aged children. Children are welcome to bring their own, nutritious snack from home. Elementary children have the option of bringing a nutritious snack from home, a snack is not supplied for Elementary children.

Will my child take a nap?
Children four and under will be provided an opportunity to nap after lunch. Five-year-old children will be provided a rest/story time after lunch. Cots/mats will be provided for napping children. Parents will supply a sheet and cover.

What are the principles of Montessori education? How will it benefit my child?
• School and learning are a part of life, not merely preparation for life.
• Children take an active part in the process of learning, not just passively absorbing information.
• Teachers are guides and facilitators, not just sources of information.
• Home and community are considered extensions of school, not separate from it.
• The curriculum is determined by what children need to know, not by external criteria such as tests.
• The learning process is like a spiral with depth and breadth, not like a line with mere accumulation of facts. Learning is reinforced internally through the child's feelings of success.
• Instruction is individualized to meet the developmental needs and learning styles of each child.
• Knowledge is gained through experiences with multi-sensory materials, not through lectures, worksheets, or tests.
• Instruction is related to inquiry questions, not on those based on one “correct” answer.
• Assessment is made according to the goals set, not some external criteria
• Success can be determined through time, and is not based on competition.
• The process of learning is as important as the result, and the result is not the end in itself.
• Intelligence is not measured in linguistic or mathematical abilities, but rather in real-life accomplishments.
• The belief is that a child's life is a process of continuous development in which each stage is equally important. Before six years a
child has a period of development when he or she experiences sensorial relationships to the environment. A child sorts the
environment and obtains such important skills as coordination, concentration, self-control, and independence. The main questions for
this stage are “What?” and “Where?” After six, the main learning tools for a child are his or her imagination and intellect. So the
main questions for this stage are “Why?” “How?” and “When?” The Elementary aged child learns skills such as making decisions,
solving problems, and collaboration. They are encouraged to teach, help, and socialize within the environment while not disturbing
the work and learning of others. Montessori children develop a true love of learning.

Who is the director?
Andi Hardy Jory is the director. She has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, a master’s degree in Education, a Montessori certification through age 12 (from American Montessori Society), a Georgia teaching certification for ages preschool through eighth grade, and an ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) endorsement. Andi has taught in both private and public, Montessori and traditional schools, at all levels from preschool through sixth grade.

Are teachers qualified?
All lead teachers are Montessori trained and educated.  Primary teachers also have a college education.  Elementary teachers have college degrees in addition to their specialized Montessori training.  All teachers and assistant teachers have ongoing Montessori training, childcare training, CPR and first aid certification, and are also committed to living out their Christian values.

Will my child receive a Christian education?
Teachers at Messiah Montessori School lead Christian lives. Children at Messiah Montessori School will learn Christian values through the modeling of these values by their teachers and through bible stories, verses, songs, and crafts. We do not teach denominational doctrine, but we focus on spirituality and Christian values.  Messiah Montessori School is not affiliated with any particular church.

What is taught at Messiah Montessori School?
Pre-primary subjects:  practical life skills, sensorial skills, pre-mathematics, pre-reading, intro to geometry, intro to geography, art, music, story time, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, socialization skills, and American Sign Language.

Primary subjects: mathematics, geometry, reading, writing, spelling, grammar, science (zoology, botany, astronomy), geography, technology, art, music, drama, foreign language, physical education, spiritual life and prayer, socialization skills, practical life skills.

Elementary subjects: higher levels of the Primary subjects with additional sciences, history and technology.

How can parents be involved?
Messiah Montessori School welcomes the involvement of parents. There are class projects to create, field trips to chaperone, materials to be made, stories to be read, and talents to share. Parent Nights are scheduled regularly throughout the year to teach about the Montessori methods and lessons along with opportunities to observe your child at work.

What is the school calendar?
Messiah Montessori has two calendars of operation. You may choose which best fits your family.

Calendar One is the Academic Year Plan. This calendar runs for 10 months, August through May. 180 days of school are scheduled.

Calendar Two is the Full Year Plan. This calendar runs August through July. "Camp" is held during the scheduled breaks of the Academic calendar.

Can I visit the school and/or director?
Yes, you are welcome to set up an appointment to tour the school and/or visit with the school director. Please email, or call 678-977-6501 to schedule a tour.

Is financial assistance available?
Through generous donations of others, financial assistance scholarships may be available for partial tuition. An application fo Financial Assistance is available (and required) for consideration.