About Montessori Family School

Our History and Philosophy

The Montessori Family School was established in 1981 to provide a licensed and comprehensive Montessori program for East Bay families. Our mission is to create a relevant Montessori curriculum that provides students with a solid basis for coping with the academic and social challenges they will encounter in the future. MFS is an authentic Montessori school that nurtures the individual learning style of each student while maintaining standards of academic excellence.

The Montessori method was originally created to adapt itself to the uniqueness inherent in each student. It is based on the "hands on" exploration of concrete materials, allowing children to acquire a greater depth of conceptual knowledge. At the beginning of the 20th century, Maria Montessori and Jean Piaget were two of the primary educational theorists who promoted an inquiry-oriented learning theory based on "learning by doing." As a result, Dr. Maria Montessori designed innovative learning materials that have become utilized throughout public and private schools, even those that do not call themselves "Montessori." Today, Montessori education is the largest school system in the world.

As Montessori educators, we know that concentrated skill building and a love of learning lead to high self-esteem and a profound sense of self. Dr. Maria Montessori clearly stated that the goal of her educational method was world peace. In this quest, she was a great pioneer, recognizing the possibility of achieving this goal through the medium of education. MFS supports this goal by encouraging the development of problem-solving and conflict resolution skills as issues arise in the classroom, in weekly class meetings, and on an individual basis.

The Mixed Age Classroom

Multi age grouping is used in all our Montessori classrooms. It was the experience of Dr. Montessori, and many educators have since concurred, that children learn best in a mixed age classroom. Mixed age groupings enable children to perceive and model a wide range of behavior. Older children help teach younger children as they perfect their own skills. Younger children learn and are inspired by the behavior and interest modeled by older students. In this way, each child experiences different aspects of his/herself. This setting also provides the child with a broad array of friends to choose from and the possibility for a greater scope of experience.

The Montessori Curriculum

In all subject areas, exceptional use of learning materials or "works" help the child explore and learn concepts in a concrete way. The main areas of curriculum in any Montessori classroom are:

• Practical Life: Care of self and the environment
  
  
• Sensorial: The understanding of shapes and relationships across the senses
  
  
• Math: Begins with simple arithmetic and geometry in preschool and moves up to algebra and advanced geometry in the elementary years
  
  
• Language: Reading, writing, grammar, spelling, and self-expression in speech
  
  
• Cultural Subjects: Geography, history, zoology, botany, and physics
  

We also offer art, movement, music, drama, yoga, physical education and Spanish, depending on the classroom and age of the children. See the individual programs for more information about the curriculum focus in preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school programs.

MFS Families and Students

The Montessori Family School draws from a diverse group of families who hold the highest educational standards for their children. Students who have graduated from sixth grade have gone on to enjoy positive academic experiences in both private and public junior high and high schools. Older graduates are currently enrolled in colleges and universities throughout the country, including Ivy League schools and the University of California statewide system.

We welcome your interest and invite you to attend an open house or schedule a personal visit to our school by calling the Main Office at (510) 848-2322.