The Montessori Approach

Maria Montessori was clearly ahead of her time, and her core principles—that effective learning is self-directed and calls for the development of the whole person—uniquely prepares your child for our fast-changing world.

Montessori education is designed to help your child maximize her potential; an educational environment that is purposefully designed to meet her unique developmental needs and adults who are specifically trained to observe and put her in touch with exactly what she needs at that very moment to learn.

Foster Independence

At Pincushion, toddlers 18 months to 2.9 years of age and preschool to kindergarten children learn that their independence is valued. We encourage free movement, choice among carefully designed options, and making sure they know their voices are heard. We teach them practical life skills, such as cleaning and preparing food, as well as time management, that can be used in the classroom, home, and beyond. This emphasis on independence gives children a tremendous sense of empowerment. 

Follow the Child

We have teachers trained in the specific developmental stages of the children they work with. By honoring where children are in their growth, we develop educational environments that suit their needs. We know that learning is not always linear, and that each individual child will need different challenges and supports throughout their time at our school. In addition, teachers work with our students to study areas of personal interest.

Use Formative Assessment

Assessment is derived from a Latin word meaning to sit beside. In a Montessori classroom, that is exactly what we do. Teachers sit beside children while they work, observing and taking notes, allowing them to target areas in which students may need more challenge or support.  The three period lesson, a Montessori hallmark, is specifically designed to measure understanding and mastery in the student. This close attention each day allows teaching and learning to be adjusted in the moment, so each child is getting exactly what they need.

Value Kindness and Peace

Our students are global citizens. World geography is taught to all of our students and children learn about traditions from a wide range of cultures. We take the time to teach skills like conflict resolution, and are able to help children work through social dynamics as they arise. We believe that peace and kindness are the base of any quality education, and a foundation that is necessary for the progress of humanity.

Integrate Nature

At Pincushion, we inspire a deep love for the world of nature through our outdoor education program and most especially our lush gardens. The children plant, care for, and harvest from them throughout the year.  Indoors, we focus on hands-on experiences with real, rather than replica, materials. The children hold ancient fossils and sparkling geodes in their hands as they learn about geology and paleontology. We believe in our students experiencing as much of the natural world as possible.

Inspire Work in Beautiful Classrooms

Entering our classrooms, you'll immediately see how a Montessori environment sets us apart. We value natural materials and prefer natural lighting. Living things are present, as are low shelves that allow children to easily access their work. There are areas for children to work in a group or independently, They are welcome to sit on a mat or in a chair based on what suits them and their work best. Our Montessori materials are beautiful and of high quality, inspiring the children to value the work they do.