Montessori Education Leaves Matters of Faith to the Family

I recently wrote about our family’s experience with public school kindergarten and the shockingly impersonal effects of the Common Core State Standards on the classroom experience. While both my wife and myself shared a sense of disappointment with the modern treatment of our kindergartner in public school, we have different religious backgrounds that made parochial school a problematic alternative.

Although I am a practicing Catholic and an active member of St. Jude parish in New Lenox, I was unsure about a traditional Catholic education for our son. My wife and I both feel that matters of faith in our child’s upbringing are best left in the hands of our family—not something we want promoted (or repressed) by third parties.

An alternative to traditional religious schools

When we investigated other local private school options, we discovered that Montessori schools are typically non-denominational, though not always.

The values taught at Montessori schools—such as generosity, compassion, empathy and community—align with the best traditions of all faiths, so in that sense they are universally friendly to students and families of all religions as well as those who practice no religion at all. As a result, the vast majority of Montessori schools are unaffiliated with any particular religion or church.

Individual examples of church-run Montessori schools do exist, however, since the Montessori method can be applied in virtually any nurturing school environment and there is nothing in the method that naturally conflicts with matters of faith. There are Catholic, Jewish, Methodist and even Hindu Montessori schools in the world. However, these represent a small percentage of all Montessori schools, and the Montessori method does not rely on any particular faith’s tenets to be effective.

A local example of Montessori diversity

When my wife and I got to know the staff and families at Joliet Montessori School in Crest Hill, one of the first questions we asked was about the school’s religious affiliation. We were surprised to learn that there was none; this was one of our many misconceptions that were corrected that day.

The Head of School told us that values are part of the curriculum, and that religion was a topic to be researched and understood. However, no particular faith is promoted or discouraged, and the student body at Joliet Montessori School is quite diverse, ethnically and religiously.

Fundraising and participation are left to your discretion

We were also pleased to learn that, unlike the parochial school options we’d investigated, there was no minimum fundraising commitment required of school families.

While the school does strive for 100% participation in what’s called an Annual Fund—money that goes toward student or school enrichment—the amount of that contribution is entirely private, and up to each family’s discretion. It can be as little as one dollar, if they wish. There are no mandatory raffles, fundraising, selling candy or going door-to-door. Along with regular tithing, these mandatory contributions are hidden costs— in both time and money—of many parochial schools.

At the same time, JMS welcomes parent participation in the Parent Ambassador program, or at events like the upcoming Montessori Mixology event to raise money for the school’s financial aid fund. Parents are likewise encouraged to join the Board of Trustees or one of the many committees supporting the school’s efforts, but no demands are made. There is a standing invitation, but never an obligation.

My wife and I have both enjoyed the opportunity to help out the school—and the total lack of organizational pressure to commit more resources than we are comfortable giving.

Faith decisions are left with us

The important takeaway is that families looking for a non-religious alternative to public schools have a fantastic option in a Montessori system. For families of mixed faiths, or those who prefer to personally manage their children’s spiritual upbringing, Montessori is an option that can ensure a quality education that builds the values that span all kinds of faiths.

Our son will come home from school with questions about religion, yes. Discussion and inquiry are part of the process. But for us, the best part of a Montessori education is the fact that it teaches children to ask those questions, to apply critical thinking, to evaluate and question subjects that are new to them, even if they are considered long-established truths for the adults in their lives.

It’s a wonderfully empowering dynamic that I encourage anyone with curious children to explore, together, as a family.