Educational Programs

Perth Montessori School offers educational services for children from 0 – 12 years of age. A High School offering the International Baccalaureate is also planned for the near future.

Montessori classrooms are ‘prepared environments’ which are structured to meet the developing needs of children. They contain specially designed materials so that all theoretical learning can be backed up with practical experience.

Several age groups work together and children are encouraged to assist and teach each other so that team skills are developed. Competition is discouraged so that children become actively involved in collaborative work.

Dr Maria Montessori’s observations that, in learning situations, children prefer to work, rather than play, that they prefer order to disorder, silence to noise, self-mastery to dependence and cooperation to competition, are reflected in all classrooms.

The emphasis is on children achieving self-discipline. This discipline, however, does not develop by itself but is taught and nurtured. “Boundaries” are therefore recognised and encouraged.

Montessori classrooms differ from traditional ones in that:

• there are few whiteboards/blackboards;
• a Montessori teacher does not instruct the whole class from the front of the room;
• children’s work is not displayed in a manner to ‘compare’ them. This is to teach them to appreciate their own endeavours and not to be reliant on the judgement of others in order to value their work or themselves;
• there are no external rewards, award certificates or stars. It is important that a child’s work should not be subject to externally imposed rewards;
• however this is not to say that students achievements are not celebrated.