If you type “Montessori schools near me” into Google, you might be surprised at the wide variety of results. Maria Montessori’s teaching methods are popular because they’re effective, and there are Montessori institutions in nearly every community. But for parents, this variety can be overwhelming. Try considering these factors to help decide which Montessori school is right for your kids.
AMS Membership
The American Montessori Society provides structure and oversight to schools that follow Maria Montessori’s teachings. Although a school does not need to be a member of AMS to pursue the Montessori method, maintaining that membership shows that the school follows high standards and is accepted within the academic community.
Austin Children’s Academy is a proud member of the American Montessori Society. Check out our listing on the AMS website to see how we connect with their organization.
Academic Philosophy
Every Montessori school has its own unique take on Dr. Montessori’s teachings. Not every Montessori school will be right for your family, so it’s important to understand the values and skills that they plan to teach your child.
Once you’ve identified an AMS school in your area, check out their website to see what they believe. As an example, you can learn more about ACA by reading our about page or reviewing our programs. Take notes of anything that catches your interest to help focus your research.
An online review can only get you so far, so your next step is to contact the school. Feel free to call or email Austin Children’s Academy with any questions you might have about our teaching style. We’d love to get to know you and help you decide if we’re a good fit for your child.
Location and Environment
The place where your kid goes to school is an incredibly important part of their life experience. Although a good school is worth the drive, you ideally want to find somewhere that’s relatively close to your home. That way, your child will make friends with other kids in the same community.
You should also tour the facility to see what kind of environment your child will be learning in. Atmosphere is important; choose a school where you can picture your child having great days that they want to tell you about.
Diversity and Inclusivity
Montessori schools are made of their community. Your child will remember their classmates and teachers vividly, so you need to find people who will treat them well and give them a head start in life.
Now, more than ever, it’s important that the school your child goes to offers an inclusive and welcoming environment for all students. Consider how diverse the community is and what attitude the teachers promote. There are no hard and fast rules for making this decision, so you’ll need to rely on your instincts as a parent. Follow what makes you and your child feel happy, welcomed, and inspired.
Austin Children’s Academy is proud to be a part of the Texas Montessori community. Contact us if you want to know more about the kind of education we offer.
