FAQs for Parents
WHO WAS MARIA MONTESSORI AND WHAT DID SHE AIM TO ACHIEVE WITH HER PEDAGOGY?
Dr. Maria Montessori, a Physician, founded the first Children's House (Casa dei Bambini) in Rome in 1907. Based on her observations and scientific research, she developed an educational concept for the care and education of children and adolescents aged 0 to 18 years. The content and methods of Montessori education are based on her insights into the natural development of young individuals. The primary goal of Montessori education is to promote the individual growth of children and adolescents, enabling them to learn in a highly independent and holistic manner while also understanding their role in the world. Likewise, they are expected to develop the ability to take responsibility for themselves and contribute to the promotion of peace in society.
WHO IS THE SCHOOL SPONSOR AND HOW IS THE SCHOOL ORGANIZED?
The Montessori educational institution AMAVIDA non-profit GmbH" is the school sponsor. Currently, school operations are solely funded through tuition fees. During the founding phase, the educational institution received financial support from sponsors and through voluntary donations.
WHAT IS THE DAILY ROUTINE LIKE?
Between 7:45 and 8:15 a.m., the children arrive at our school and begin their activities independently. They either continue their ongoing projects or draw inspiration from our educators. With a presentation in either German or English, depending on the chosen subject from areas like Mathematics, Language, World Wxploration, or Biology, new doors of knowledge are opened. Until 11:30 a.m., the children have the opportunity to work undisturbed and deeply into their chosen topics. There is space for their creativity and curiosity. They take well-deserved breaks in between or enjoy their chosen moments of quiet with a small snack. Our caring educators are always by their side, supporting their discoveries, observing their progress, and documenting their steps. After their intensive work time, the children attend to their 'duties,' usually in teams of two or small groups. One group prepares the table for lunch, while others take care of watering the flowers or collectively tidy up the classroom and ensure freshness. Before they gather for a communal lunch, the children head to the school garden to enjoy the refreshing outdoor air. There, they find a variety of opportunities for movement and relaxation: a hexagonal climbing tower, a bocce court, and plenty of space for running, jumping rope, and more. Following a nourishing vegetarian meal, we have our 'Silent Reading Time.' The children independently select a book and immerse themselves in its worlds. Alternatively, they have the option to be read to by our educators in either German or English if they prefer. During this time, the children also have the freedom to pursue their creativity, whether it's through painting, knitting, or crocheting. Afterward, the children have time for independent work once again. They can continue with their morning projects, discover new tasks, or engage in creative activities in the first-floor studio - be it hammering, sawing, or other manual tasks. The day ends harmoniously when everyone gathers in a circle. Here, the children have the opportunity to share their experiences and discoveries. The school day ends at 3 p.m., except on Fridays, our 'short' day when the children go home at 1 p.m.
ISN'T A FULL SCHOOL DAY TOO MUCH FOR THE STUDENTS?
Based on our experiences, we have deliberately chosen to incorporate our learning groups into full-day education. This approach aligns with the Montessori philosophy, which emphasizes that school should not only be a place of learning but also a place of living.
WHAT IS THE SCHOOL PATH AT AMAVIDA MONTESSORI SCHOOL?
The AMAVIDA International Montessori School is an elementary school with a total of 6 school grades, following the concept of primary stages according to Maria Montessori. In accordance with this concept, the school classes are mixed-age groups. Once a certain number of students is reached, three grade levels will be together in a group. There are two primary stages: Primary 1 (P1): Includes the 1st to 3rd grade Primary 2 (P2): Encompasses the 4th to 6th grade
YOUNGER STUDENTS LEARN TOGETHER WITH OLDER ONES - DOES THAT WORK?
Age mixing is a fundamental principle of Montessori education. It is based on the belief that children do not all want or can learn at the same pace. Younger students look up to and learn from older children through observation. They often engage with learning materials that interest them, even if these materials are not officially part of their curriculum. Likewise, older students experience a deep internalization of their knowledge when they explain it to younger peers. They must "translate" their knowledge to the level of the younger age group, which is an important exercise in restructuring and transferring knowledge.
HOW MANY EDUCATORS ARE IN EACH GROUP?
The number of educators in each group is determined by a set educator-student ratio. This ratio dictates that a maximum of 15 students are supervised by one educator. The educators in a group work as a team and take care of all the children.
DOES "FREE WORK CYCLE" MEAN THAT CHILDREN ONLY LEARN WHAT THEY FEEL LIKE?
Absolutely not!. However, we believe that children are most motivated, engaged, and effective when they are developmentally ready for a specific subject and when it is presented to them in an attractive manner. The timing of when this "learning window" opens for a particular subject varies for each child. The several hours of daily “free work cycle” constitute a central part of the Montessori learning process. In a learning environment carefully prepared by the teachers, each student selects a subject to work on, either independently or in collaboration with a partner, often using Montessori materials. The teacher assists with the selection and learning process, offers guidance, motivates, suggests new approaches, and documents the progress of learning. Ultimately, all children learn the whole curriculum, but at different times and at their individual pace.
DOESN'T IT GET LOUD DURING FREE WORK CYCLE?
Since each child pursues their individual interests, they become deeply engaged in their tasks. They wish uninterrupted time and show respect for their peers' work. If they wish to engage in discussions, they do so in hushed tones. The children's interest creates a pleasant working environment characterized by calm and intense concentration. Should it happen that the noise level rises too much, we have a singing bowl in our classroom. Children are allowed to use it when they desire more quiet. The gentle sound of the singing bowl reminds other children to return to a peaceful working atmosphere and invites them to focus on their tasks.
DO STUDENTS RECEIVE GRADES?
In Montessori education, traditional grades are not used. Instead, there are semester-end conferences between parents and educators. Additionally, the child's progress is continuously documented throughout the year using a progress tracking system. Unless otherwise required, children receive advancement eligibility to the next grade at the end of the school year.
CAN YOU REALLY LEARN EFFECTIVELY WITHOUT RECEIVING GRADES?
Absolutely! In fact, it works very well! Children naturally exhibit curiosity, a thirst for knowledge, and a desire to achieve. This motivation needs to be nurtured and maintained. When they learn out of their own motivation, it is not just for good grades or the teacher. However, we do provide assessments because our students want to know where they stand. But this is done differently compared to traditional schools. We use materials that offer many opportunities for immediate self-assessment. Additionally, we use progress reports and have conversations between students, teachers, and parents. These conversations assess what has been achieved and set new learning goals together. A formal grades report is only issued upon the request of the parents when leaving the school.
WHAT DOES COSMIC EDUCATION MEAN EXACTLY?
According to Maria Montessori, children should recognize knowledge from the very beginning within a broader cosmic context rather than viewing it as isolated content of individual school subjects. For Montessori, the term 'cosmos' encompasses understanding the interactions between humans and nature, as well as between humans themselves. In our 'Cosmic Room,' there are numerous materials available to help convey these insights in a tangible way.
HOW IS TEACHING ORGANIZED IN DIFFERENT SUBJECT AREAS?
Our classrooms are designed as prepared environments and equipped with a variety of educational materials organized by subject. These include areas such as Arithmetic, Geometry, Language, as well as cosmic subjects, including Geography, History, and Biology. Our educators assist the children in working with these materials and setting their own learning goals independently. Additionally, we offer various activities in which the children can participate. In each of these subject areas, the children create portfolios that document their progress and projects. They can take these portfolios home at the end of the year to share their developments.
WHICH FOREIGN LANGUAGES ARE TAUGHT?
Our school has a bilingual focus starting from the 1st grade. German and English are the languages of instruction and are used according to the language proficiency level in each subject.
WHAT SPORTS ACTIVITIES ARE AVAILABLE?
Our school considers great emphasis on physical activity. We have a spacious garden with different games equipments that encourages movement and generous space for running and playing. Once a week, the children have the opportunity to visit the Marswiese sports facility under the guidance of a sports educator. Additionally, a monthly trip to the forest is on the schedule, where physical activities are an integral part.
DOES THE SCHOOL OFFER RELIGIOUS EDUCATION?
In our school, we offer children ethical education units. These units encompass the traditional Christian calendar on one hand and provide insights into all other world religions on the other. We engage with moral concepts and value systems in an age-appropriate manner.
WHAT IS AVAILABLE FOR MEALS AT THE SCHOOL?
Our snack box with organic fruits and vegetables is delivered weekly by the company Adamah. In addition, the children have access to bread, butter, and cereal. Our delicious lunch is provided by the organic catering service BIO-MENU. All our meals are vegetarian.
Public authorization (Öffentlichkeitsrecht) allows schools to issue legally recognized certificates. New private schools or private schools that change their location or adjust their organizational statutes must apply for public authorization before they have completed all school levels at least once. This application must be submitted annually at the beginning of each school year to the Federal Ministry of Education, Science, and Research. Public authorization is granted only for existing classes at the end of each school year, once the conditions have been determined. After achieving the full curriculum expansion, public authorization can be granted for multiple school years, taking into account the educational achievements. With continuous compliance with the legal requirements, permanent authorization is also possible. The Amavida Montessori School currently submits an application for public authorization for the ongoing school year each year.