Guide to Admission

Guide to Admission

welcome

Curious minds wanted.

We are Gladwyne Montessori – an educational experience unlike any other, engaging and connecting students with learning since 1962.

Our inviting classrooms are designed around your child’s distinct perspective at every age.

Using an extensive collection of fascinating materials, we inspire a student to grow at her own pace…to feel the immense reward of mastering a new skill with purpose and passion…to thrive within a community filled with wonder and respect.

Through our rigorous yet flexible curriculum, your child gains a deep understanding and appreciation of superior academics, while developing the ability to think clearly, communicate skillfully and work well with others. The result is a confident, curious student prepared to compete in the 21st-century economy. We educate tomorrow’s leaders.

Our unique Montessori approach begins with our exceptional Parent-Toddler program for ages 10 to 22 months, where parents and children interact, explore and learn together.

What follows is a remarkable continuum of education for age 2 through middle school.

montessori method AGE 2-MIDDLE SCHOOL

To you, it’s beads and wire.

To her, it’s an exponential equation.

Developed in the late 1800s, the Montessori method of education is as fresh and innovative as it is traditional and proven. Famous Montessori grads – such as the founders of Google and Amazon – attribute their ability to think outside the box to a Montessori education. So it’s no wonder that there is a groundswell of interest in our unique approach.

At Gladwyne Montessori, we are ahead of the curve when it comes to preparing our students for the future. Students interact in mixed-aged classrooms whose make-up more closely resembles the real world. Teachers don’t stand in front of the room and lecture. They observe and guide, motivating children to learn one concept at a time, utilizing all of their senses. The result? Self-reliance. Understanding. Problem solving.

Our materials may seem unusual at first…like our beads strung in sets of 10.

What looks like a child’s necklace is actually used beginning at age 3 to introduce mathematical operations and the decimal system. As your child advances into older classrooms, she continues to discover abstract concepts using concrete examples that she can feel and hold. The bead chains open the doors to advanced algebraic reasoning.

From world cultures, Spanish and algebra to language arts, geography and chemistry, each academic subject is approached in this same manner – designed to ignite the unique spark of curiosity within every child. We create innovators.

GO BEYOND INDIVIDUALITY We cultivate the potential within each child as he grows from toddler to adolescent. We encourage students as young as 2 years old to take charge of their own learning.

Montessori materials are designed to be self-correcting, so that students can develop critical thinking skills to solve problems. Our teachers use differentiated instruction to individualize the pace and approach. Children are taught by matching tasks and activities with their interest, ability and learning preference. The result is a sense of accomplishment that can't come from sitting in a traditional schoolroom.

parent-toddler AGES 10–22 MONTHS

To you, it’s a chance to talk to other grown ups.

To him, it's the beginning of socialization.

Like all of our prepared environments, our Parent-Toddler classroom (ages 10-22 months) is organized specifically with your child in mind. For a toddler under age 2, that means tasting freedom…with a parent still nearby.

Students are introduced to Montessori materials just right for their age and size, play in a room with peers, sing in a circle and enjoy group snack at a perfectly sized table.

During this weekly class, parents spend much of their time engaged in meaningful discussions focused on toddlercentered topics with our school psychologist. Each class offers you a chance to interact with other adults – while seeing your child enjoy social development and interaction through music and activities. The friendships forged in these extraordinary classes can last a lifetime.

GO BEYOND CURIOSITY Each child is naturally curious to learn more about the world. At Gladwyne Montessori, the classroom environment gives students the opportunity to observe and ask questions.

The types of concrete learning materials change as students master their work, ask new questions and learn abstract concepts in math, science, humanities and beyond. Our teachers are dedicated to creating programs and lessons that foster children's natural curiosity.

stepping stones AGES 21-34 MONTHS

To you, it’s a pair of slippers.

To her, it’s the first step toward independence.

A new school day begins. And for our Stepping Stones students (ages 21-34 months), that means taking off shoes and changing into slippers. While this may seem like a charming ritual, it’s actually done with a purpose: to develop motor skills and encourage self-reliance in our children, some of whom are not even 2 years old.

Our Stepping Stones classroom is alive with energy. Walk in and you’ll hear giggles, clapping and singing. Notice, too, a little girl filling a bucket with soap and water, then carefully scrubbing a table. A small boy putting out tiny cloth placemats, china and glassware for a group snack. Children listening attentively and expanding their vocabularies.

For our smallest students, big things are in the works.

GO BEYOND FLEXIBILITY Whether it's a 2-year-old learning to share a puzzle or middle schoolers partnering on a community service project by the ocean, our students are encouraged to collaborate.

Working with peers helps students solve more problems, gather more information and ask more questions. By following a rigorous curriculum driven by the natural rhythm of real life, children are uniquely prepared for future success in high school and life working in the 21st-century economy.

primary AGE 3-KINDERGAR TEN

To you, it’s a letter made of sandpaper.

To him, it’s the start of his first novel.

Children learn best by doing. We provide stellar academic materials to help them experience the world first-hand using all five senses. In our Primary division (age 3-kindergarten), reading and writing begin with a simple sandpaper letter. Instead of just watching a teacher write letters on a board, your child holds the letter, speaks its sound and traces it with his finger again and again, preparing to write. Immersed in a language-rich environment, he moves onto simple and then complex words, grammar, sentence analysis and composition.

Primary students are introduced to increasingly sophisticated subjects, including Spanish, geometry, biology, cultural geography and practical life skills. Using familiar materials from previous years, your child strengthens his concentration, communication and time-management skills throughout this period, while also enjoying computers, drama, music, art, nature and physical education.

GO BEYOND RESPONSIBILITY When your child sees a task through from beginning to end, she begins to understand success and the feeling of pride in her accomplishments. Our classroom environments are designed to develop adaptable, resilient students who are secure and confident in their work.

Our unique mixed-age classrooms generate a sense of responsibility toward others, teaching students to respect each other, work together and resolve conflicts as a group.

lower elementary GRADES 1-3

To you, it’s flour, salt and water.

To her, it’s about finding her place in the world.

For our Lower Elementary students (grades 1-3), the world vividly unfolds with excitement and promise. As they expand their reading, writing and math skills, they also nourish their imaginations with a hands-on integrated curriculum that includes geography, information technology, life and earth science, art history, humanities, music and physical education. They are highly motivated to continue their intellectual growth, as they gain global perspective by exploring the world through essay writing, scientific measurement, cultural arts and literature.

Hands-on learning is emphasized in every lesson. Instead of just memorizing a map in a book, for example, your child builds her own continent from the ground up – digging out river beds, shaping vast mountain ranges – experiencing our planet through every sense… and seeing where she fits in.

GO BEYOND CONNECTION A student suddenly realizes how a pattern in math connects to a pattern in nature or how physics influences sports. As children advance through the Montessori continuum of learning, they gain a powerful understanding of how concepts work together.

Students are encouraged to think creatively and try new things…collaboratively. By staying in the same classroom for multiple years, they grow creatively and are inspired to mentor one another. Teachers help students feel that it's always okay to take chances.

upper elementary GRADES 4-6

To you, it’s a quiet spot in the shade.

To him, it’s independent scientific research.

In our Upper Elementary division (grades 4-6), your child continues his journey of self-discovery through the study of complex algebra and geometry, human history, economic geography, oral and written Spanish, physics, computer science and sports. He widens boundaries as he takes on learning outside of the classroom, including practical life skills like preparing a menu and balancing a checkbook. He masters sophisticated research, debate and independent study topics.

If your child is interested in botany, for example, he can design and execute his own comprehensive project, drawing upon a variety of skills, from reading and investigation to editing and art. Within our unique mixed-age classroom, he can then share his research – often leading an entire class to explore a new topic together.

GO BEYOND JOY Montessori students flourish in an atmosphere filled with respect and challenging academics. There is a special sense of harmony here that follows your child as he progresses through our classrooms. Students are given the gift of time to form their ideas and express themselves.

Public speaking opportunities, such as sharing new work or reciting poetry on stage, allow students to communicate their love of learning with others.

Experiencing education through this innovative lens encourages your child to enjoy academics and prepare for a lifelong passion for learning.

middle school GRADES 7 & 8

To you, it’s a cute hairband.

To her, it’s a for-profit business.

The Gladwyne Montessori experience culminates in our Middle School (grades 7 and 8), fostering young adolescents’ physical, emotional, social and intellectual growth in a challenging, academically rigorous, high-tech environment. Our close-knit community of peers and adults allows students to gain leadership skills and receive individualized attention, whether they’re dissecting a frog in biology or studying current affairs for an in-depth cultural report.

In our multi-disciplinary classroom, a trendy headband becomes inventory – the product of a micro-economy fundraising project – where students price, manufacture and market products, while calculating profit. Maria Montessori believed the prepared environment for adolescents should be “a school of social experience,” and our curriculum is just that. Leveraging the Socratic method in our classrooms, we ensure that every student is held to high expectations.

GO BEYOND ACCEPTANCE In our diverse classrooms, students learn to accept people for who they are and to embrace differences. Our cultural curriculum helps them understand that there is a big world outside of their family, school and community.

Through a daily social setting that encourages students to respect their environment, your child develops grace and courtesy. And our graduates consistently praise the Gladwyne Montessori approach for nurturing their character and preparing them to fit in at any high school.

special subjects

To you, it’s a kickball.

To him, it’s teamwork and fairness.

An outstanding education extends beyond the classroom and traditional subjects. That’s why beginning at age 3, we offer students an array of opportunities to diversify their learning throughout the school day. Special subjects are built into the daily curriculum for Primary to Middle School students, including art, computer technology, drama, library, Spanish, music, nature and physical education. By integrating these courses into a regular day, we help students better understand how concepts relate to one another.

Whether it’s a 3rd grader using PowerPoint for a cultural research presentation, a 3-year-old counting in music as she taps out a new beat or pre-teens refining their cooperation skills in a soccer game, our special subjects add to our rich, multi-disciplinary learning environment.

afterschool activities

To you, it’s more hours in the day.

To her, it’s an adventure.

Our educational approach isn’t defined by regular school hours. Whether it’s an early-morning drop-off, after-school care each day or a weekly extracurricular class, we offer a wealth of activities for every student. And these programs are a critical component of our child-centered view of learning.

Overseen by a Montessori-trained teacher, our La Casa after-school enrichment program guides your child’s natural curiosity. Each student’s experiences at La Casa are unique because each child's learning style, interests and motivations change daily. That’s why every day is different in our special classes, allowing children to experience nature, science, art, yoga, Spanish and music appreciation.

Our weekly enrichment programs and club and team activities, from track to robotics, are designed to cultivate a well-rounded educational experience and encourage your child to delve more deeply into the environment around her.

A PA R E N T ’ S G U I D E T O G L A D W Y N E M O N T E S S O R I If you’re considering Gladwyne Montessori for your child, you probably have many questions about our school. Of course, the best way to learn more is to experience our classrooms first-hand, so we warmly welcome you to an upcoming open house or to schedule a visit.

Please call 610-649-1761, ext. 106, or email admissions@gladwyne.org to get started.

The following guide tells you more about our peerless approach to education to help you decide if it’s right for your child. Here are some questions and comments we often hear from prospective parents: 1. Why are the students placed in mixed-age classrooms?

Our classrooms are organized into multi-year age spans so that each child takes her turn among the youngest, middle and oldest in the class, interacting as people do in the real world.

This interesting dynamic helps promote a sense of kindness and fairness. The younger children are inspired and motivated by watching the older ones, while older students teach the younger children – an essential component in the learning process.

2. How does the typical day work at Gladwyne Montessori?

Days are divided into three-hour work cycles, where students are free to explore concepts one at a time until they are ready to move on to another. Through our curriculum, which highlights a single topic across multiple subjects, students can focus on different areas of interest. We also integrate all five senses into the learning process to help children gain a clearer understanding.

Classrooms feature natural materials constructed of wood and real glass, with everything child-sized and well-organized so that students learn the importance of putting things back in their place.

As our students grow, they explore more abstract concepts as deeper meaning unfolds.

3. It seems like a lot of schools call themselves “Montessori.” Is there a difference?

Yes! At Gladwyne Montessori, we adhere to strict Montessori principles developed in the late 1800s by Dr. Maria Montessori, using the curriculum, tools and materials she designed. Our

Head of School is a Montessori-trained practitioner, and our teachers are Montessori-certified. Our school is accredited by the American Montessori Society, the Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS) and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania State Board of Private Academic Schools. Through this outstanding alternative to traditional education, we focus on helping children become self-reliant, capable, caring, purposeful learners who are well-prepared to succeed in the real world.

We are educating tomorrow’s leaders and innovators.

4. I’ve been told that Gladwyne Montessori is really best for preschool or that it’s hard for children to transition to a more traditional school when they come from such a small elementary or middle school program.

Your child reaps the full benefit of the Gladwyne Montessori experience by remaining here through 8th grade. As our oneof-a-kind curriculum unfolds, she will build on what she’s learned in previous years, gain complex thinking skills and take on sophisticated academic subjects – from algebraic reasoning and Spanish to world culture and micro-economy. Your child will ideally leave our school as an engaged scholar who is adept at time management, accustomed to rigorous academics and highly prepared for high school. Our students have gone on to excel at virtually every school in the area, including Haverford, Episcopal, Shipley, Agnes Irwin, Lower Merion public schools, Friends Central, Baldwin, SpringsideChestnut Hill and boarding schools such as the Hill School and the Loomis Chaffee School. In fact, teachers from others schools tell us again and again how well Gladwyne Montessori students perform, both academically and socially.

5. These days, a lot of schools are touting the 21st-century learning approach. What sets Gladwyne Montessori apart?

The methods for 21st-century learning might be new to some, but it’s the way we’ve educated successful, dynamic, confident students since 1962.

All children have an inherent passion for learning, and our teachers have an unmatched opportunity to fuel that passion into a lifelong pursuit.

Rather than view education as a series of short-term goals, we exercise a long-term holistic approach.

We embrace a child’s curiosity and ignite young minds by developing inquisitiveness, ingenuity and critical thinking skills. Students learn the skills they need to succeed in today’s economy.

6. Gladwyne Montessori is too high pressure.

On the contrary. We allow each student to learn at her own pace, encouraging her to make good choices, solve problems and develop superior time management skills. There is an overall sense of calm in our classrooms. Students understand the scope of their responsibilities and are selfdirected to master tasks.

7. Why are hands-on and experiential learning so important?

Current brain research has confirmed what Maria Montessori recognized more than 100 years ago. Children learn better when they use hands-on materials and have experiences while learning.

Montessori observed that the child learns “with his hands, by experience,

first in play and then through work.” Scientists now know that developing brains create neural pathways when children use their hands to perform an activity.

These neural connections are strengthened when children repeat motor movements, like tracing a sandpaper letter, counting a bead chain and writing down numbers as a form of early multiplication. These repeated movements form templates in the brain that become the starting point for new experiences. Pediatric neuropsychologist Dr. Steve Hughes, an advisor to our Board of Trustees, says this repetition of activities, self-guided learning and multisensory Montessori materials “creates the perfect recipe for human brain development.”

8. How do you know the Montessori method actually works?

Take a look at the outcomes. When Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin were interviewed by Barbara Walters in 2004, these luminaries credited their Montessori education for their future success – specifically pointing to the self-directed curriculum where students follow their interests and decide for themselves what they want to learn.

Creating visionaries means nurturing children’s abilities to collaborate and communicate their thoughts and new ideas effectively. It all starts with listening to children and encouraging them to listen to others. In an environment where there’s no fear of being wrong, students ask “why” and “how” more frequently.

When you give children the gift of time, they have freedom to form their ideas and communicate them – confident to try anything and become innovators.

Through our innovative approach to education, your child develops independence, explores creativity, respects nature and cultivates a sense of awe and wonder.

Come see for yourself by visiting today. 610-649-1761, ext. 106 or admissions@gladwyne.org ACCREDITATIONS: American Montessori Society Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS) Commonwealth of Pennsylvania State Board of Private Academic Schools

Š2015 Galdwyne Montessor School

610-649-1761 920 Youngsford Road (fax) 610-649-7978 Gladwyne, PA 19035 gladwyne.org info@gladwyne.org

A remarkable community of learning for age 2 through Middle School