Founded in 1966, Joliet Montessori School is a non-denominational, not-for-profit, co-educational private school located in Crest Hill, Illinois, nurturing children ages 3 through 15 to reach their fullest individual potential.
Registered with the Illinois State Board of Education, we are the only fully recognized Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Montessori school in Will County.
Why AMI?
AMI is the governing body established by Dr. Maria Montessori herself. Its mission, as stated on its website, is "to uphold Dr. Maria Montessori’s original vision through teacher training programs, school recognition and consultation, conferences and events." AMI pedagogical standards for schools ensure that each school is offering programs for their children that allow for their full intellectual, social and psychological growth.
The following guidelines are in place:
• An AMI Montessori trained "guide" in each class. Our seven gifted faculty members collectively represent over 140 years of classroom experience. They are trained observers who understand how to guide their class in order to best meet the needs of each child.
• One assistant in each primary (ages 3 - 6) classroom. Our younger children do occasionally need an extra set of hands present for classroom management issues. Assistants are specially trained by their classroom guide to maximize their effectiveness in caring for our younger students.
• A consultation by an AMI trained consultant once every three years. These consultations ensure that our environments continue to represent the very best that Montessori has to offer our children and our families.
• One complete set of Montessori Materials, from an AMI approved manufacturer, for each class. Materials are located in the Practical Life, Sensorial, Language Arts, Mathematics and Cultural Subject areas of the classroom. Each material has a specific purpose and is designed to be used in sequence, contributing to the whole of the child's classroom experience. The intentional presentation of hands-on materials gradually moves the child from the concrete to the abstract, at the child's own pace. The presence of only one set provides opportunities for sharing and learning to wait one's turn.
• Classes comprised of children representing three-year age ranges. These multi-aged groupings are intentional in that they allow for mentoring, role-modeling and peer tutoring. Children are actively encouraged to help each other learn. Children work toward fulfilling their own individual potential and are not limited by the curriculum of a specific grade level. Children remain with the same guide during that time, who gets to know them very well, identifying strengths and weaknesses, guiding and redirecting when necessary.
Primary: 3-6 years
Elementary: 6-12 years
Adolescent: 12-15 years
• Classes with an appropriate number of children to ensure social development - between 28 and 35 children. Otherwise known as "substantial class size," larger classrooms provide the opportunities for children to work with children at their own ability level. The standard for class size really cannot be separated out from the multi-aged groupings, as it is the size of the class that allows for multi-aged groupings to create a rich academic and social environment for the child.
• A five-day week for all students. An AMI requirement, it has been our experience that it is in the best interests of the child to have the consistency of a day-to-day program.
• 3 hour uninterrupted morning work cycles at each level. Afternoon sessions will have prolonged uninterrupted work periods. Dr. Montessori did not arbitrarily pick this time frame. Based on her observations and documented research, she noticed the children were most productive and immersed in their work during that particular length of time, resulting in the development of the 3 hour work cycle. Limited interruptions allow the child to develop his focus and concentration, and work to fulfill his own sense of confidence and accomplishment.
"The child can only develop by means of experience in his environment. We call such experience work." Dr. Montessori