Mrs. Judith Carter-Sanford, Director 5800 Backlick Road Springfield, Virginia 22150 703-451-4470
Our Focus
There is always a busy hum of activity in a Montessori classroom because the use of the materials involves many motions-walking, carrying, pouring, speaking and the constant use of hands. All activity is guided by a respect for the teacher, a respect for other children and a respect for the materials themselves.
Dr. Maria Montessori felt that young children learned by doing, and that they acquire self-discipline by learning to concentrate on meaningful tasks.
Montessori's aim was to help the unfolding of life, to understand the needs of the child, to draw out from each individual all of which he was capable, and to develop the potentialities locked within each child. This is our aim.
Educators and psychologist today realize the importance of the first few years of a child's life. It is on the foundations laid there that the patterns for the child's entire future will be established. Montessori was one of the first to discover that fact and apply it to practical principles.
Montessori Advantages
Montessori introduces language development, geography and math to children between the ages of three and six, because at that age youngsters can joyfully absorb many difficult concepts if they meet them in a concrete form.
The common stumbling blocks of the middle elementary grades can be exciting if they are presented to youngsters at an age when they enjoy manipulating material.
The materials which concretely form these concepts for them will serve as touchstones in their memories for many years, to clarify the abstract terms when they meet them again and again in future learning situations.
Facilities
Teachers - Have earned a BA or BS degree and hold the Association Montessori International (AMI) teaching certificate, and are aided by a non-teaching assistant.
3 Classrooms - For children ages 3 to 6 years of age. Rooms are large, bright, and fully equipped with Montessori materials.
Playground - Is equipped with apparatus designed for developing children's gross motor skills. It is fenced and has grass and mulch surfaces.
Day Care Facility - Provides before and after school care for 20 children from the school enrollment.
Hours - 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM
Every Day - Lunch, nap, snack, planned activities and projects.
Enrollment Fees and Day Care Rates - Please contact the school at 703-451-4470
History of Montessori at St Marks Lutheran Church
In September 1968, as part of its mission of service to the community, St Marks Lutheran Church established a Montessori School. We believe we are offering to the community an excellent educational opportunity that will be faithful to Christian principles and of great benefit to the development of the child. Though non-denominational, St Marks Montessori School has a definite Christian orientation.
St Marks Montessori School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students of the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
To meet the needs of a growing number of our families, in 1975, St Marks Montessori School expanded to include day care facilities for a portion of our enrollment. Twenty children can be accommodated for the school year on a first come, first served basis.
