Montessori Myth Busting

The main difference between Montessori and conventional education is that Montessori is child-centered, focusing on self-directed, hands-on learning where students progress at their own pace, guided by teachers who act as facilitators, whereas conventional education is teacher-centered, following a fixed curriculum with structured lessons and standardized assessments where all students are expected to learn at the same pace. Authentic Montessori classrooms feature mixed-age groups, encourage exploration, and emphasize practical life skills and holistic development, while conventional classrooms are usually same-age, with a stronger focus on academic achievement, formal instruction, and grading.

Montessori education can effectively serve gifted students by creating advanced learning plans when a student is ready. Montessori teachers are highly trained to observe each learner and guide them to the next level at the appropriate time. Because instruction is individualized and based on each student’s potential, there is no fixed limit on progress within a Montessori classroom.

No. Montessori educates children without reference to a religious denomination. 

The name Montessori is not trademarked, and unfortunately, many schools and companies use it to market to families. An authentic Montessori school, such as MSE, is accredited by recognized organizations like the American Montessori Society (AMS) or the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), and its teachers hold formal Montessori certification rather than just general teaching credentials.

Classrooms are intentionally designed around Dr. Montessori’s three-year age cycle and are carefully prepared with specific Montessori materials that children use purposefully for hands-on, self-directed learning, rather than for occasional activities.

The curriculum reflects the Montessori philosophy, emphasizing independent exploration, observation-based assessment, and mastery of skills over standardized tests or rigid schedules.

In contrast, a Montessori-inspired school may borrow some materials or ideas but often lacks accredited teachers, mixed-age classrooms, and a fully Montessori approach, relying more on teacher-led lessons, worksheets, or traditional grading.

Today, there are two major organizations that are generally regarded as the standard for Montessori education. They are AMI (Association Montessori International), which was created by Dr. Montessori herself, and AMS (American Montessori Society), which branched off from AMI in 1960. The two organizations maintain a positive working relationship and mutual respect for the work they both do. 

At MSE, we focus on protecting every child’s childhood, so they truly love coming to school. Montessori offers families in our community another option for their child's learning that nurtures the whole child, fostering happiness, health, and wellness, while providing rigorous academic preparation for high school. 

Our school-age (1-8 grade) students engage deeply with core subjects like math, science, language, and history, developing critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and independence along the way. By the time they finish middle school at MSE, they are not only academically prepared for high school but also confident, resilient, and excited to continue their learning journey. 

In today’s world, where screen time, social meida, anxiety, and outside stress can weigh on children, MSE gives them a safe, nurturing environment to grow, explore, and thrive.

Yes. However, Montessori classrooms look and feel very different from conventional classrooms, which can sometimes make parents apprehensive about continuing through the school-age program after Primary. In Montessori classrooms, students focus on deeply understanding the concepts behind academic skills rather than simply practicing abstract techniques to earn a grade or pass a test. Dr. Montessori believed that the learning process itself, rather than the end result, provides the greatest long-term benefit for children.

It is through this very process - the exploration, the trying, the doing, the mistakes, and even the failures - that students truly begin to understand what they are learning and what their capabilities are. Montessori provides a safe space for this exploration, and every school-age classroom includes talented, highly trained teachers and guides who work with students at their own pace as they progress toward mastery and a deep understanding of each academic concept.

This approach is especially evident at the Lower Elementary level, where learning can feel somewhat “messy” for a few years. Children are given the space to explore and advance when they are ready. As they transition from using concrete materials to engaging in more abstract and critical thinking, their understanding of key concepts often deepens far beyond what they might achieve in a conventional classroom.

Learning looks different at MSE, which can sometimes make parents apprehensive about continuing through the school-age program after Primary. The families who understand and value the Montessori approach rarely regret it—they see the benefits of MSE’s school-age program pay off over the long term in their child’s life.

The success of our students is reflected in the achievements of our alumni, who go on to compete successfully with traditionally educated peers in a wide range of high schools and universities.

Montessori classrooms prepare students for real-life competition by fostering competition with oneself—through self-monitoring, self-correction, and continuous improvement—while developing executive skills like planning, focus, and adaptability. Mixed-age classrooms cultivate leadership as older students guide younger ones, building social intelligence, empathy, and collaborative skills. Through this approach, students grow into confident, independent, and inquisitive problem solvers who are motivated by intrinsic curiosity, capable of advocating for themselves and others, and prepared to navigate complex global challenges as engaged citizens and effective leaders, thriving in competitive environments not by outperforming peers, but by mastering themselves and contributing meaningfully to the world.

Transitions are a core piece of the Montessori curriculum. Students move from learner to leader positions with every change in levels. This builds their skills to handle transitions in life beginning with our toddlers. 

We find that our MSE graduates transition into high school and are overprepared academically, mentally and emotionally, and socially.