Schools are vibrant hubs of learning and experience for our students. Life experiences and skill building happens all around us and is not limited to our classrooms. We strive to offer balanced activities that deepen a child’s learning and life experiences. Montessori and IB students are fortunate that many of these experiences take place within the classroom during the work cycle, allowing a seamless flow in the natural course of daily learning. However, some specialized subjects require dedicated time to allow deeper understanding. To allow more opportunities in these specialized skills, children in participate in classes taught by specialists. For our youngest students, these specialists come into the classroom to present opportunities to engage in the building the specialized skills.
For our Elementary and Middle Years Programs, classes are taught by specialists and are given dedicated times during the afternoon which allows children to engage in these experiences without disrupting the morning work cycle. This approach allows RMS to stay true to our authentic Montessori and maintain uninterrupted work cycles each day.
Movement is vital to the development of the brain and body. Our students move purposefully in class as they work and move throughout the day. As they grow older and our students begin to participate in physical education class, they learn that there is more involved than playing sports. With trained leaders in the field, students participate in team activities and games that allow them to feel the impact of their contribution to the goal of the group. In addition to the physical benefits of being active, our physical and health education program will help students build knowledge of health concepts, confidence, and peer relationships.
We are all stewards of our environment, and this is important to the core of our Montessori education. Through guided learning with a experienced specialist teacher, children will nurture a deep connection with nature through the study of the natural world, our own backyard including familiarity and knowledge of native MN plants and animals. Our program empowers students with knowledge to take action on ecological causes that are a concern to them. The ultimate goal is for students to become active stewards of the earth and to gain a greater understanding and appreciation for our relationship to the larger ecological environment of our shared home on planet Earth.Our 15-acre property offers many highlights of nature, from our chickens and bees to our maintained native prairie.
Following the child and respecting Individuality is at the heart of what we do at Rochester Montessori. Our art program, led by an Art teacher, opens up the world of art for each student. Learning new skills and taking risks along the way, we not only learn from but appreciate the artists who have created the path we can follow in the world of creativity. By learning about the creativity of other artists, students are empowered to leave their own mark on the world and create.
A guiding principle of Montessori education is meeting the needs of the whole child: mind, body, and spirit. As a matter of practice, teachers and students work together to grow and learn in a respectful environment that is supportive and takes into consideration all aspects of the child. Later beginning in Elementary, children participate in a peace group, which is a time to come together to talk about the ideas surrounding peace.
