“But, above all it is the education of adolescents that is important, because adolescence is the time when the child enters on the state of manhood and becomes a member of society.” Maria Montessori
The Mountaineer Montessori School adolescent program, serving seventh and eighth year students, combines the best of Montessori practices with current research on adolescent education, with a special
emphasis on the unique intellectual, emotional and physical transitions students at this age experience. Our program offers an academically rigorous curriculum with high expectations for each student. Holistic, individualized support enables each student to develop his or her full potential as a future leader and contributing member of society. Education for life
The program is based upon Dr. Maria Montessori’s vision for a “school of experience in the elements of social life,” emphasizing work that is meaningful, collaborative and adult-like. Her plan for work and study offers adolescents true integration of knowledge and experience as well as opportunities for genuine contribution to their community. The result is intellectual independence, an awareness of human connections and the strengthening of moral character.
“The goal of the Montessori adolescent program to produce adults who are equipped with the confidence in themselves and actual skills to live in the real world.” Montessori for Everyone
Community as classroom
The Montessori adolescent curriculum is a place-based, integrated approach to education that gives students a hands-on, real-world preparation for higher education..and for life. Our program leverages natural and built resources in our community, state and beyond to offer unmatched place-, nature- and entrepreneurship-based learning opportunities to adolescents. The Mountaineer Montessori middle school was developed in response to an enrollment jump of more than 50 percent at MMS in the last two years and increasing requests from the community for alternatives to one-size-fits-all education for students beyond their sixth year. Research supports the advantages of the Montessori adolescent curriculum, including:
* Higher levels of achievement
* Superior talent development
* Higher levels of interest and intrinsic motivation
Program and curriculum design
MMMS offers an academically rigorous, project-based curriculum emphasizing STEM, arts, entrepreneurship, environmental stewardship and community service. Our program has been carefully reviewed and meets and/or exceeds all seventh and eighth grade Common Core standards. The program was developed in partnership with two of the world’s leading Montessori adolescent education consultants: Laurie Ewert-Krocker, the founding head teacher of the Hershey Montessori School Farm School, widely considered the premier Montessori adolescent program in the country, and David Kahn, executive director of the North American Montessori Teachers Association (NAMTA). Their expert advice contributed to site selection and facilities, curriculum design and resource development. Classroom format
The Montessori adolescent program builds on students’ intense interest, passion and curiosity to support deep understanding of academic subjects and their connections to the world around them. Rather than learning through textbooks and lecture alone, students conduct independent research, search out primary sources, meet with experts and participate in student-led seminar discussions that develop critical thinking, verbal and written communication skills and lifetime knowledge. Preparation for high school
The Mountaineer Montessori Middle School program offers a strong foundation for high school — beyond. Homework, grading and testing are administered within the Montessori setting to equip students for success in future traditional educational classrooms. MMS consults with area high schools to ensure that our curriculum meets and surpasses admission requirements and to facilitate a smooth transition from our seventh- and eighth-grade program to ninth grade. Students are eligible for distance learning opportunities that offer high school credits for their work at MMS in subjects such as Algebra I and Spanish. Peace curriculum and community engagement
The Montessori adolescent academic curriculum emphasizes community engagement. Weekly public service work extends classroom learning into the community and puts the Montessori peace philosophy into practice. Guest teachers and artists-in-residence
Business and community leaders, neighbors, artists and subject matter experts enrich our middle school program, sharing expertise and insights that connect students’ academic learning to the real world. Creative expression
Creative expression opportunities nurture students’ discovery of themselves and their world through art, music, drama, creative writing, dance and sports. MMS faculty members, specialists and subject matter experts from the community help students explore and develop their potential through a wide range of activities. Fitness and exercise
Maria Montessori was a pioneer in establishing the mind-body-spirit connection. Middle school students engage in daily physical activity through structured PE classes with specialists and daily outdoor time. Location
The Mountaineer Montessori Middle School is located at the former St. Agnes School, 4801 Staunton Avenue in Kanawha City. Standardized testing
Starting in their third year of elementary education, MMS students participate in the Stanford Achievement Test. The “Stanford 10″ is a nationally-normed assessment that is considered more comprehensive than most state standardized tests. At MMS, we do not”teach to the test” and standardized testing is not emphasized. However, over the past four decades working with 1,000 children, it has been our experience that MMS students compare very highly with private and public school students across the nation and are extremely well-prepared for other educational settings in the future. For more information about standardized testing at MMS, please contact Director Jennifer Carriger ([email protected].
