The mission of Portage Collaborative Montessori School is to promote respect and empower students to learn through independent and cooperative experiences. PCMS is a public alternative school serving over 200 students from the five districts in the Stark County Comprehensive Collaborative (Canton City, Lake Local, North Canton City, Plain Local, and Jackson Local). The Montessori approach is one t
hat values the human spirit and the development of the whole child – physical, social, emotional and cognitive. In this environment, younger students can learn from older students while older students reinforce their learning by teaching concepts they have already mastered. This style help students better adapt to real-world situations where individuals work and socialize with people of all ages and dispositions. Montessori Schools differ from traditional schools as students stay with one teacher for three years in a mixed age class. The children spend most of their time working in small cooperative groups, mastering the curriculum. There are many more hands-on materials in the classroom than you might find elsewhere, and the children have free access to them on the shelves. The curriculum is individualized to each child’s ability and performance level. Looking deeper, the school is different because the main emphasis is on the social development of the child. The primary goal is for the child to become an independent learner who treats others with kindness and who acts responsibly in all situations. Montessori teachers are trained to act as facilitators in the classroom. Their role is to stimulate the student’s enthusiasm for learning and to guide it, without interfering with the child’s natural desire to teach his or herself. Each child works through their own individual cycle of activities, and learns to truly understand according to their own unique needs and capabilities. Learn more about Montessori Education and the PCMS program.
