Montessori schooling is an approach to early education that puts children at the center of their learning experience. The founding principles are respect for the child, whole-child education, individualized learning, and freedom of choice. With the right curriculum, teachers, and environment, Montessori schooling can set your child up for a lifelong love of learning and help them develop into thoughtful and independent individuals.
However, with so many private schools in Frisco vying for your attention, deciding which Montessori school is best for your child can be challenging. In this blog, we’ll provide some helpful tips on choosing the best Montessori school in Frisco that upholds these principles while providing the best learning experience for your little one. Whether you’re a first-time parent or looking to switch from traditional schooling, read on for a guide on how to choose the best Montessori program for your family!
Tips for Choosing Your First Montessori School
Here are a few tips to help simplify the search for quality education.
Determine Your Priorities
Before looking at the different Montessori schools in your area, it’s important to identify your family’s priorities. Whether you’re looking for affordability, location, curriculum, or awards and recognitions, making a list of your needs will help you choose the school that best aligns with them.
Research Montessori Schools Near You
A simple “Montessori schools near me” search yields no shortage of preschools, private schools, or daycares in Frisco. Look at their reviews and see if a facility tour is part of the enrollment process. If you reach out to them, note how quickly they respond and whether they’re open to discussing your child’s needs at length from the start. This helps you narrow down which options are ready to show what they can do for your child and have proven the success of their program.
What to Look for in the Best Montessori Schools
As a parent, one of the most critical aspects of determining which Montessori school offers the best environment for your child is to visit the facility and observe the children and teachers during the lessons. Some indicators of a successful Montessori program are:
Mixed-Aged Classrooms
One of the goals of Montessori education is to foster self-confidence and social skills. Mixed-aged learning allows older students to lead by example and inspires a sense of community, laying the foundation for how they can contribute to society.
Child-Friendly Environment
The prepared Montessori classroom should be clean and uncluttered, with low shelves so students can retrieve and put away learning materials independently. An authentic Montessori environment is optimized for the students, not teachers, meaning the classroom is carefully designed to support the child.
Freedom of Movement
While observing students in the classrooms, you should see a mix of children sitting, standing, or walking around or have the freedom to do so. The Montessori environment should let students feel unrestricted and comfortable learning how they prefer to develop self-autonomy and empowerment.
Variety of Enrichment Programs
Unlike traditional schooling, Montessori education focuses on whole-child development with a varied blend of guided and unstructured activities. The best Montessori schools offer programs that cater to the child’s unique interests, like chess, yoga, foreign languages, or computer science.
Happy Students
While observing children in their environment, you should see students having fun, engaging with their peers and teachers, and playing an active role in their development journey.
Ask the Right Questions
Asking questions throughout the interview process will help you better understand the school’s communication style and help determine whether they can provide the value you’re looking for. If you’re not sure what to ask, here are a few questions to get started:
- Is the school a member of the American Montessori Society (AMS)?
- What certifications do their Montessori teachers hold?
- What extracurricular programs do they offer?
- How do they measure progress?
- What is the school’s approach to working with children with special needs or learning differences?
Don’t worry if you forget a few; you can always call or email to ensure you get the answers you need to feel confident when choosing the best Montessori school for your child!
Key Takeaways
Taking the time to find the right Montessori school for your child is the key to a successful educational experience. A quality, accredited Frisco Montessori program will be centered around your child’s needs and can ensure a holistic developmental journey that enables them to achieve their fullest potential.
The Top Montessori School in Frisco
Cypress Creek Frisco Montessori is an AMS member school, licensed by the State of Texas as one of the best private schools in DFW. We’re committed to providing a nurturing, stimulating, and supportive environment where students can learn at their own pace with continuous progress. We invite you to visit our school, observe our students and teachers, and ask questions about our programs.
Schedule your tour today and learn how we prepare children for life!