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What is a Montessori School?

A Comparison of Montessori and Other Schools

Montessori Other
1. Individualized program allows each child to work independent of the class. 1. Group learning involves subject being taught to the entire group. Students are affected by the progress of the class.
2. Multiage class in a natural social environment that includes a wide range of ages and fosters self-motivation. Students work for their own sense of accomplishment. 2. Chronological grouping necessitates external rewards such as grades, competition and social conformity.
3. Freedom of choice involves decision making. Students select work and move at their optimal pace. 3. Class curriculum demands that students cover the same work at the same time with no regard for individual ability.
4. Active individualized learning through stimulating, multi-sensory teaching materials. 4. Passive class learning through teacher-centered class lessons, paper work.
5. Balances academic work with freedom of movement 5. Periods of intense effort are alternated with periods of physical activity.
6. Interrelation between subjects 6. Subjects are not interrelated.
7. Independence is fostered by activities that encourage independence. 7. Dependence is promoted since all activities are initiated by the teacher.
8. Self-evaluation occurs as students learn to evaluate their work objectively through the use of self-correcting teaching materials and individual work with the teacher. 8. Class comparison occurs as work is evaluated and graded by the teacher. Students evaluate themselves against the best and worst in class.
9. Class-student-teacher interaction enables complete and precise evaluation of student’s progress academically and socially. 9. Class oriented teaching prevents close interaction between individual students and teacher. Standardized tests necessary to determine student’s progress.
10. Reality oriented education maintains concrete first-hand experience as the basis for abstraction. 10. Abstract education has students learn through mechanical memorization.