Marlboro Montessori Fosters Creative Thinking for Young Students

The halls of are quiet, but a feeling of something new and different strikes most who walk through the door.

It began 36 years ago in Marlboro, but more accurately, Montessori began over 100 years ago.

In 1907, Dr. Maria Montessori opened the first Montessori school with the vision of offering quality, concrete education to children while fostering a sense of creativity and outside-the-box thinking.

"Montessori is based on an individual approach to education," said Jean Avery, owner of Marlboro Montessori. "What the students are ready to learn, we can teach them."

And today's testimonials are impressive. The founders of three of the largest corporations in the world, Google, Wikipedia and Amazon are all Montessorians.

"In many schools, you ask 'why?' In Montessori, you ask 'why not,'" Avery said.

In 1978, Avery purchased a 3.5 acre portion of the Hanaway Farm on Rt. 79 in Marlboro from her grandparents for $5,000. She was familiar with the property. In fact, she had grown up on the property.

Avery, who had three children and was pregnant with her fourth at the time, received a small business loan for women.

"I was very lucky to be able to get this off the ground," Avery said.

Parents from around the state drive their children to Marlboro Montessori today, and Avery said she believes it is because the Marlboro location has become a pioneer school with a proven reputation.

Montessori learning

Although the halls of Montessori are quiet, a journey into each classroom tells a different story. Children are painting, counting, reading and writing. They are discussing their heritages, learning the continents and practicing common life techniques.

The Montessori education is based on concrete learning. Each lesson comes with complimentary materials and ideology. Something as simple as learning the letters of the alphabet is complimented by sand paper letters, allowing children to trace and feel the letters, and complimentary colors for vowels and consonants. 

For children as young as four, math includes pre-geometry and pre-algebra, taught visually and with materials the students can feel.

The most surprising tactic is introducing choice to children as young as 2-years old. Every morning, the students decide what they would like to learn first.

"In this school, the child makes a decision as to what they want to do," Avery said.

Marlboro Montessori runs year-round, with summer camp and educational daycare programs from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. A walk through the grounds of the property make it clear why students don't mind such a long day at school.

The farm backs up to the Henry Hudson Trail, a path the students become familiar with during nature walks. While the Hanaway Farm is now owned by Avery's brother, the corner of the property which houses Montessori is a corner of natural beauty.

Students can enjoy the small in-ground pool, used during summer camp. Or the art cabana which has a view of the student garden. Between the two buildings of the school is a courtyard, of course complete with a playground.

Inside the buildings are rooms like the Kids Learning Cafe, where children of all ages can learn to cook healthy food.

Avery said having children of all ages is a key part of Montessori learning. The school houses children from 2-years-old to fifth grade.

"Our education is contributive, not competitive," Avery said. "Having multiple ages fosters peer-learning."

The faces of Montessori

As Avery guided me on a tour of the property, we were met by smiling faces around every corner and in every room. Avery's teachers, who she described as "the absolute best," were excited and ambitious.

One teacher, as she sat on the floor surrounded by students and building blocks, said she simply loves her job.

"I believe Montessori education is unique and self-guided, children tend to think outside-the-box and be very creative," she said.

The staff of Montessori teaches everything from math to theater. The school is complete with a small stage for school productions.

Avery said she looks for warmth in her teachers, a smile and open arms.

"You can teach anybody how to teach, but you can't teach to love being around children," she said.

The older students were proud to proclaim their love for Montessori, as they sat in the school kitchen with a snack.

"I've been here for...ever!" one fifth grade boy said, with a smile.

Parents are often seen in the school, looking through the viewing glass to classrooms filled with their children.

Avery said it is never difficult to convince a parent of the unique importance of a Montessori education.

"I think we have proven Montessori wise, in more ways than one."

For more information about Marlboro Montessori, visit the school's website.