Montessori

The Merced City School District is proud to offer the only public Montessori program in Merced County as a free educational option for our elementary students.  The Montessori Method was developed by Dr. Maria Montessori more than a century ago and has had proven success among diverse groups of students both in Merced and around the world.  According to the American Montessori Society, Montessori education is:  “The view of the child as one who is naturally eager for knowledge and capable of initiating learning in a supportive, thoughtfully prepared learning environment. It is an approach that values the human spirit and the development of the whole child—physical, social, emotional, cognitive.”

The prepared environment and the teacher guide the child in primary areas of study:

Mathematics - From concrete to abstract

Language - From spoken to written to read
Cultural Studies - Science, history, social studies & geography integrated into the core curriculum

Technology - Integrated into the core curriculum & used as a tool to research, design & create new projects

Art and Music - Integrated into the core curriculum

Practical Life - The skills of daily living, including those of grace & courtesy

Characteristics fostered in the classroom include self-confidence, hard work, self-discipline, personal motivation and a sense of community.  Kindness, respect, the inherent dignity of others and the environment, and the sharing of fundamental values are taught in the classroom and are integral to the Montessori program.

Frequently Asked Questions PDF