At The Montessori Academy, we are dedicated to developing the potential of all students. A caring staff and mature dedicated teachers work within a curriculum and educational philosophy to encourage the individual development of each child. Students at The Montessori Academy are known for leadership and character, ability to solve problems, respect for the environment, compassion for others, and their love of learning. At every turn, and every age, students are taught:

• respect for themselves and others,
• problem solving,
• respect for the environment,
• compassion for others, and
• love of learning.

What is possible when a child is immersed in an educational environment that values the development of both character and mind?

Academically, levels of achievement are high as measured by standardized testing. Average grade level ITBS (Iowa Test of Basic Skills) scores for TMA elementary students consistently rank in the upper 90th percentiles (national school percentile rank) when compared with other private, parochial and public schools whose students took the same test. This result is produced in a population where 20% have diagnosed learning differences. Our classrooms include students who are working on grade-level, beyond grade-level, and even below grade-level. The high achieving child with strong work habits is not constrained by chronological age and is able to move through the curriculum at an accelerated pace. The goal is mastery learning; the standard is self. Students with learning differences move through the curriculum at their own pace, as well, and participate in the classroom with their peers, without awareness that they are "behind". Regardless of ability, students pursue their interests at each age level - math, language, history, geography, art - through a curriculum that has no artificial boundaries based on age; rather boundaries are based on how children learn and the developmental periods that all children experience. Simply put, the curriculum inspires the student.

Emotionally, children at TMA exhibit self-awareness, self-control, self-motivation, and independence. Children take responsibility for their actions, their effect on the environment. Through formal conflict resolution training, children are taught how to take care of themselves during conflict, and how to resolve conflicts with their peers. Children are taught to be aware of their effect on others. When conflict arises at home, the children apply their learning. There are many stories from parents of being coached by their child to resolve issues at home.

Read about our programs, our strengths and accomplishments, and our philosophy. Watch our video to see an overview of the education programs offered by TMA. This section of our web site will provide you with the information you need to start the process of helping your child to grow academically, socially and emotionally.