Manhattan Academy
About Us
Philosophy
Our Montessori approach is found in our Infant Program through Lower Elementary. We gradually ease into a more traditional approach in Upper Elementary to prepare our students for Middle School.
The Montessori Approach
Manhattan Academy was founded in 1975, based on the principles of Dr. Maria Montessori. A woman ahead of her time, she developed a methodology that enables each child to satisfy their own intellectual needs at their own pace, along with a crucial development of self-worth.
The Montessori Method is a child-centered educational approach. It has been time tested, with over 100 years of success in many different cultures throughout the world. It is a belief that the child is naturally eager for knowledge and is capable of initiating learning in a supportive and thoughtfully prepared environment. The Montessori approach values the human spirit and the development of the "whole child" - physical, social, emotional and cognitive.
Montessori in Practice
Our Montessori classrooms are structured to promote a sense of self-direction within our students. Each classroom is filled with specific, self-correcting Montessori materials that allow children to spot their own errors. Research has proven time and again that the manipulation of these materials allows a child to better understand concrete principles of math and language. Moving to more abstract concepts later in a child’s education is done with a deep understanding, not just a rote memorization of facts. An enthusiasm for learning stays with the child for a lifetime.
Our highly educated and trained Montessori teachers prepare the child's environment in a way that will invite the highest level of learning, and guide children throughout their learning activities. In a traditional school, the teacher is made to be the one source of information. In a Montessori environment, however, the child draws on tremendous interaction with his environment and materials. The teacher’s role becomes one of a facilitator. Children are entrusted with an age-appropriate sense of independence in choosing many of their activities, practicing practical life skills and collaborating with their classmates.
