Community Montessori School

Adolescent

12 - 15 Years Old

The Montessori Adolescent program supports students through a challenging time in their development – as they move away from childhood and toward their adult self. Academic development is combined with opportunities for real world experiences and creative self-expression, in an accepting community of peers that treat one another with respect.

Continuing the Montessori Approach

Adolescent students have entered a new phase in their development and in keeping with core Montessori principles, the class environment changes to meet those needs. Self-expression, seminars, and programs designed to bring students understanding of economic systems are added to the core curriculum subjects.

A boy working with Montessori materials

Socratic Seminars

Adolescents have great passion and sensitivity to issues of social justice and current world events. Critical thinking and presentation skills are developed through seminars where students research topics and present a point of view. Math seminars provide a fun way to solve extended challenges as a group.

A Montessori student in a blue shirt is writing on a white board

STEM Focus

At CMS, we have developed a unique STEM focused approach that integrates technology and science into all aspects of learning in the classroom. In preparing students for life in the digital age, class work includes 3D printing, robotics, creating slideshow presentations and more.

Montessori students using a laptop

Micro-Economy

Dr. Montessori envisioned adolescents participating in and managing a small business in order to experience economic activity in their community. This “Micro-Economy” provides students with practical, hands-on experience in managing a successful student-run business including creating products, communicating with customers, and developing a range of business skills.

Montessori students working with painting materials

Beyond the Classroom

Students participate in activities beyond the classroom to broaden their experiences an challenge themselves in new ways. Community Service at a nearby therapy farm and "Going Outs" to local businesses develop the adolescent's sense of community belonging, and purpose. The class goes on two overnight trips during the year. These reflect the interests of the group and students are involved in all stages of planning. Students also have the option of participating in the Montessori Model UN program, which CMS has been involved with for more than a decade. In addition to honoring student skills of critical thinking, debate, and presentation, the Model UN challenges students to think as future stewards of our planet.

Montessori students petting a horse

Transition to High School

Students in the CMS Adolescent program are well prepared for their transition to high school, as our Alumni can and do show! The daily schedule in the adolescent classroom is structured in subject blocks. Students continue, Montessori-style, to work according to their own pace but they follow a group schedule for math, science, and language arts blocks. They have assignments to complete outside of school and they learn time management, task prioritizing, and other such skills that prepare them for the challenges of high school and college. Check out what our CMS Alumni have to say.

Montessori guide with students looking at a laptop

The adolescent environment has provided so much support and encouragement that has helped our son discover so many things - especially about himself. They classroom guides aren't just teachers - they have become family. Their compassion, understanding and ability to listen have meant the world to us.


 — Robert (Adolescent parent)

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