About Our School
The Center Montessori School was founded in 1976 by Janice Mattina on the beliefs that children learn best in a nurturing environment that integrates art, music, and drama into the curriculum base, and can accelerate their learning in classrooms that have no academic ceiling. The school began modestly as an alternative to traditional education and has now grown to include a toddler class for ages 18 months to 3 years, three primary classes for children 3 to 6 years of age, two elementary classes for children 6 to 9 years of age, one upper elementary class for children 9 to 11 years of age, and one Middle School (level three) class for children 11 to 14 years of age. The Center is now one of Florida’s largest Montessori schools and one of only a handful that accommodates toddlers through middle school.
The school is committed to the Montessori Method of education and every classroom is specially equipped with didactic Montessori materials. These manipulative materials make it possible for children to learn by doing rather than by being told. The materials are age appropriate and are intended to be presented to children in order to enhance their learning and awareness, first of simple concepts, and later of complicated academic ideas. In addition to these very beautiful materials, each classroom is under the direction of a certified Montessori teacher who knows the function of these materials, understands how children learn, is adept at observing and interpreting children and their work, and is prepared to meet the educational needs of each child on an individual basis.
In addition to the Montessori Method, the school is known for its success in teaching children to read and write through the phonetic approach called “Words in Color”. Heavily influenced by Dr. Caleb Gattegno’s work in reading and mathematics education, the school strives to subordinate teaching to learning through an individualized approach to reading and mathematics. Specially-prepared, colored reading charts enhance the children’s observations about how letters work to form words as well as which letters are needed to write certain spelling words. Consequently, children become fluent readers and competent spellers as well as prolific writers. For mathematics, in addition to the familiar Montessori math materials, our school utilizes colored math rods, which give the children the chance to see the algebraic relationships between numbers. Children become gymnastic with numbers.
Completing the Montessori curriculum are studies in music, foreign languages, computer education, and physical education. Art and art history are also integrated into the children’s school experiences. Field trips are begun in the elementary classes and continue and expand to overnight trips in the upper elementary and middle school classes. These off-campus opportunities enrich and develop the older students’ understanding of our world and their place in it.
The school seeks to develop competent social skills within the children by teaching them strategies for solving problems. Children are encouraged to dialogue with each other in order to express their feelings and to deal with interpersonal issues. They are guided by teachers who are interested in preserving the children’s self-esteem and in helping them become self-disciplined.
The school offers an academic school year program as well as summer enrichment programs during the academic school summer vacation. The school also operates a before- and after- school program as well as an all-day program for school holidays.
The Center Montessori School welcomes visitors and requests that you come to the school office for information. We ask that you visit first without your child so that you may observe the classroom. Should you desire a visit for your child, one can be arranged at the time of your visit.
The school is committed to the Montessori Method of education and every classroom is specially equipped with didactic Montessori materials. These manipulative materials make it possible for children to learn by doing rather than by being told. The materials are age appropriate and are intended to be presented to children in order to enhance their learning and awareness, first of simple concepts, and later of complicated academic ideas. In addition to these very beautiful materials, each classroom is under the direction of a certified Montessori teacher who knows the function of these materials, understands how children learn, is adept at observing and interpreting children and their work, and is prepared to meet the educational needs of each child on an individual basis.
In addition to the Montessori Method, the school is known for its success in teaching children to read and write through the phonetic approach called “Words in Color”. Heavily influenced by Dr. Caleb Gattegno’s work in reading and mathematics education, the school strives to subordinate teaching to learning through an individualized approach to reading and mathematics. Specially-prepared, colored reading charts enhance the children’s observations about how letters work to form words as well as which letters are needed to write certain spelling words. Consequently, children become fluent readers and competent spellers as well as prolific writers. For mathematics, in addition to the familiar Montessori math materials, our school utilizes colored math rods, which give the children the chance to see the algebraic relationships between numbers. Children become gymnastic with numbers.
Completing the Montessori curriculum are studies in music, foreign languages, computer education, and physical education. Art and art history are also integrated into the children’s school experiences. Field trips are begun in the elementary classes and continue and expand to overnight trips in the upper elementary and middle school classes. These off-campus opportunities enrich and develop the older students’ understanding of our world and their place in it.
The school seeks to develop competent social skills within the children by teaching them strategies for solving problems. Children are encouraged to dialogue with each other in order to express their feelings and to deal with interpersonal issues. They are guided by teachers who are interested in preserving the children’s self-esteem and in helping them become self-disciplined.
The school offers an academic school year program as well as summer enrichment programs during the academic school summer vacation. The school also operates a before- and after- school program as well as an all-day program for school holidays.
The Center Montessori School welcomes visitors and requests that you come to the school office for information. We ask that you visit first without your child so that you may observe the classroom. Should you desire a visit for your child, one can be arranged at the time of your visit.