Our Philosophy
"The greatest sign of success for a teacher... is to be able to say: The children are now working as if I did not exist."
- Maria Montessori
GMA's story of educational pioneering is one that begins in 1907 with the philosophy of Maria Montessori and continues today. Maria Montessori was an Italian physician, researcher, educator, and noted humanitarian who is best known for the philosophy of education that bears her name. Her beautiful philosophy, methods, and materials are in use today in public and private schools throughout the world.
Dr. Montessori began her work with children when she accepted a clinic for 'deficient, insane, and unfortunate children.' Through her observations, compassion, intelligence, and hard work, she developed methods and materials to help these children learn.
To everyone's amazement, her 'children' were so successful that they could pass examinations given to 'normal' children. It bothered Dr. Montessori that "these normal children in ordinary schools were equaled in intelligence by her ill students," and she pursued in-depth research about how young children learn. She posited that a teacher should direct, guide, and help children learn with an attitude of love and acceptance. True mental work is not exhausting but rather energizing and joyful. All children are born with potential, and it is the adult's job to create an environment to stimulate children to work towards their potential independently.
Today, GMA seeks to carry this philosophy in every aspect of our school. We provide our students with real-world skills and values through a child-centered approach to self-directed & hands-on learning.
In and out of the classroom, through our hand-crafted curriculum and the events we provide, we are constantly guided by our unique teaching philosophy to provide the most forward-facing educational experience and prepare the next generation of leaders and scholars.
The Teachers
Teachers prepare the classroom environment, present lessons, observe and guide them as they develop and practice new skills. Children choose the work that interests them, and the teachers circulate quietly and offer support or give lessons to individual children or small groups. They interject only when learning is blocked or when a child is ready for a new challenge.
Teachers treat children respectfully. They regard the children as competent learners who are fully capable of taking charge of their own learning. They encourage independence and freedom within limits. Through objective observations and positive relationship-building, they learn each child's strengths, weaknesses, interests, and needs.
The Classroom
The Montessori classroom includes a larger age range than in a typical early learning environment. This allows the children to learn various skills at their own pace. Older children can develop leadership skills by modeling for, mentoring, and teaching the younger children.
Through their work, children develop concentration, motivation, persistence, and discipline. The children make choices and use what the environment offers to support growth, development, and sequential, meaningful learning. They progress at their own rhythm. They develop concentration, motivation, persistence, discipline, and the joy of learning.
The Students
The students within the school are provided with resources to help them grow. They embark on a journey of learning and discovery at their own pace, feeling both supported and valued along the way. By being in a classroom with fellow peers, they will be able to build interpersonal skills critical for emotional development.
Throughout the year, they will engage with unique educational experiences both inside and outside of the classroom. Whether it's French classes and a day-trip to The Red Barn or Music classes and a Halloween Trip to the Pumpkin Patch, our students are immersed in an array of academic subjects. At GMA, we believe in providing well-rounded activities that allow our students to grow in all facets - as a friend, a leader, and a scholar.