Westbridge Montessori Academy

Our approach to education is based on the philosophy and methods of Dr. Maria Montessori, an Italian physician and educator. The term “Montessori” embodies both the philosophies and methods of education based on her research. Dr. Montessori believed that the goal of the educational process was to cultivate a child’s natural desire to learn. She observed that all children have the same basic needs:

the need for order
the need for independence
the need for social relationships
the need to experience reality through imagination
The teacher carefully prepares the classroom environment and directs the activity of the classroom, but it is the child who learns. Dr. Montessori observed that children are motivated through the work itself and that children, like adults, learn best by doing rather than being filled with facts. Concentration, determination, and purpose established in early childhood lead to confident and successful learning later in life. At Westbridge Montessori Academy, children learn how to observe, think, evaluate and experience the joy of learning. The Montessori approach is not merely a tweaking of traditional models of education, it is a completely different way of teaching and learning, designed to prepare children for success in an increasingly complex world. Westbridge Montessori Academy is an advocate for the child, developing education programs that follow the natural needs and development of the child. We believe each child has the potential to achieve success through an ordered, challenging and nurturing educational environment that focuses on the whole child’s: intellectual, emotional, spiritual, and physical. It is the role of the schools’ staff members not only to observe, but also to understand and advocate for the needs of the child as they proceed through the learning process. At its heart, the Montessori method emphasizes independence, freedom within limits, and respect for the child. Classroom spaces are designed to accommodate many levels of complex learning. Materials are carefully curated in pursuit of an education partnership where each child can learn and develop at their own pace.