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River Song School uses the Montessori Philosophy to help each unique child learn. We use the Scope and Sequence Assessment tool, constant observations, and evaluations to measure and enhance the learning of each child.
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 Maria Montessori (1870-1952) was an Italian educator, physician, anthropologist, philosopher, social reformer, and peace activist. She was the first woman to graduate from the University of Rome La Sapienza Medical School, and the first female doctor in Italy. As a member of the University's psychiatric clinic, she focused on children with "special needs." Her innovative work was so successful that her students exceeded the scores of other children without special needs on Italy's state educational examinations.
Because of her success with children, she was asked to start a school for children in the first housing project in Italy, in 1907. At the "Casa de Bambini," Maria Montessori worked with extremely poor children who lived in the apartment building, previously the tenements of Rome. During this time, she developed unique materials, methods and philosophies that stemmed from her multi-disciplinary background and deep knowledge of brain development. Her methods were soon replicated successfully in many social and economic conditions.
Later in life, she worked in India passing on her methods to other teachers and helping to open schools throughout the world. Through her observations of children throughout the world, she discovered universal patterns of development, which are found in all children regardless of their culture or economic background. Her dedication to peace education and her commitment to children led to three nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Today, there are thousands of Montessori schools located on nearly every continent of the world. Her legacy and proven philosophies continue to produce strong academic, social and emotional results for children and adolescents.
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Along with many other aspects of Maria Montessori's work, River Song School incorporates the three central themes of the Montessori Philosophy:
A Child Centered Environment: The focus of the school is each child's individual learning path. The teachers or "guides" within the room work with each child's unique learning styles and curiosity to ignite and support their learning. Children are free to explore within the environment. Interaction between children and the freedom to move are part of each day. An overarching sense of peace and respect help enhance this freedom. The materials in the classroom are inviting, and used to develop a strong interconnected academic experience during the most critical time a child's brain development.
A Responsive Prepared Environment: Each classroom environment is carefully prepared to meet the needs, interests, abilities and development of the individual children of mixed ages in the class. Guides adapt and prepare the environment, both physically and with lessons, to be constantly responsive to the educational interests and needs of each child. The prepared environment serves as the "third teacher."
A Focus of Individual Progress and Development: Within the environment, each child progresses at her or his own pace following their interests, abilities and needs. The materials and lessons promote a deep level of learning that builds throughout the year to create a high level of academic, social and global understanding. While each child can be viewed as a "universe of one," the classroom community is equally as important and vital to the joy of learning and social development.
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- Hands on approach to learning
- Spontaneous activity and freedom to move and follow interests
- Active learning within a community of life- long learners
- Intrinsic motivation of joyful learning
- Critical and analytical thinking
- Whole child approach, awakening each child's spirit through interdisciplinary education
- Global understanding and commitment to global awareness and connection
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Meals should be fun, nutritious, and support the healthy child. Students and staff eat together and use this time for sharing and getting to know each other better.
We believe that good eating habits can be learned early, and that given nutritious choices, children will feel the physical and mental benefits of eating well. We incorporate understanding the connections between the environment, health, and nutrition into our school lessons, and reinforce these teachings through our food choices. The school provides a varied menu of organic snacks throughout the day and makes every effort to buy local produce and products.
Students are currently required to bring their own lunches, but we are working on an optional meal program that will allow parents the option of purchasing a healthy organic lunch that will be prepared each day. We are working to have the lunch program up and running by Fall of 2010.
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