Frequently Asked Questions

Dr. Maria Montessori was born in 1870 in the small town of Chiaravalle in Italy. She graduated in 1896 with a degree in medicine and became the first female physician in Italy. While she was successful in the medical community, her real desire was to help children. In 1906, she gave up medical practice to work with children in Rome. During this time, Dr. Maria Montessori carefully observed these children and developed her Montessori method. She discovered through her observations that the children were best able to absorb knowledge through materials that they were able to manipulate within their natural surroundings.

What is the Montessori Method?

The Montessori Method fosters rigorous, self-motivated growth for children and adolescents in all areas of their development—cognitive, emotional, social, and physical.

How is the Montessori school classroom different from that of the traditional classroom?

MONTESSORI	TRADITIONAL
Emphasis on cognitive structures and social development	Emphasis on rote knowledge and social development
Teacher’s role is unobtrusive; child actively participates in learning	Teacher’s role is dominant; child is a passive participant
The Montessori method and environment encourages self-discipline	Teacher is primary enforcer of discipline
Mixed age groups	Same age groups
Children are encouraged to engage in cooperative learning, teaching collaborating and helping each other	Most teaching is done by the teacher and collaboration is discouraged
Children develop personal learning styles and set own pace to internalize information/knowledge	Instruction pace set by group norm or teacher
Organized program for learning care of self and self-directed care of environment

When is the best time to enroll my child in a Montessori school?

At MSW your child may join our Beginnings program at age 2. Our carefully planned preschool programs give your child a combination of freedom and structure necessary in developing her independence.

What are the qualifications of a Montessori guide (teacher)?

To become a Montessori school guide (also known as a directress or director) for children of grade one or above, one must possess a bachelor’s degree in any subject area and special certification for the Montessori level in which they teach. For younger children, the guide must possess at least a two-year degree plus the Montessori certification.

What is the teacher - student ratio?

The Montessori School of Westminster has an average staff-to-student ratio of 1:10.

What kinds of experiences may a child have when he transitions from a Montessori method school to a more traditional setting?

“The Montessori School of Westminster taught me to be responsible, self-reliant, and gave me the will to want to learn more on my own. MSW always encouraged us to have personal relationships with our teachers and this greatly benefitted me once I went on to Garrison Forest because I wasn’t afraid to ask my teachers for help.”
– Alyssa, attended Montessori School of Westminster from age 3 through grade 8

What accreditations and/or affiliations does the Montessori School of Westminster have?

The Montessori School of Westminster is a member of the American Montessori Society and is approved by the Maryland State Department of Education. The Montessori School of Westminster is accredited by the Association of Independent Maryland Schools. We have received Green School Certification from the state of Maryland.