Santa Monica Montessori School
Preschool in Santa Monica, CA 90404
We are a private Montessori school based on the philosophy of freeing the childs potential in a stimulating environment. One of the first Montessori schools in the United States, we are proud of our rich heritage and we stay true to the Montessori method. Our carefully prepared environment and wonderful teachers will allow your child to develop self-confidence and independence that inspires self-discipline and a love of learning which will remain throughout her life.
We strive to create an atmosphere of deep mutual respect between faculty and students. We are very proud of our internationally diverse faculty and student body, gender-equitable interscholastic sports. We offer a customized, flexible education in early childhood, elementary and junior high that allows each child to develop according to his own pace. Students are guided in the creation of educational projects, leadership and character development.
- Child Ages:
- 2 years - 15 years
- Licenses & Accreditations:
- California Department of Social Services: Community Care Licensing Division
- Preschool:
- Yes
- Hours of Operation:
- 7.30 AM - 6.00 PM
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Montessori is an approach to working with children that is carefully based on what has been learned about childrens cognitive, neurological and emotional development. The Montessori approach has been aCCLAimed by some of Americas top experts on early childhood and elementary education as the most developmentally appropriate model currently available. The Montessori method focuses on teaching for understanding. Active learning through hands-on activities and exercises rather than book learning is emphasized in order to encourage the development of the creative and analytical mind.
At SMMS, our primary goal for the child is to cultivate his/her own natural desire to learn. In the classroom this is approached in two ways. Each child is able to experience the excitement of learning through his/her own choice of lesson rather than being forced to do something. Secondly by helping the child to perfect his/her natural tools for learning, which can be used in future learning situations.
Dr. Montessori always emphasized that the hand is the chief teacher of the child. In order to learn how to concentrate, the best solution is to fix the attention of the child on a task performed by his hands. All equipment in a Montessori classroom allows a child to use his hands in the learning process. The tactile and kinesthetic system of learning permanently reinforces the skill to be learned mUSCular memory is a strong tool in the learning process.
