Montessori Middle School

Montessori Middle Philosophy:
The Needs of Adolescents

Maria Montessori viewed the period of adolescence as one of great importance. Individuals entering adolescence go through a new birth, according to Montessori. They enter this period as children, but emerge as nascent adults, the leaders of tomorrow. To aid that journey, the program for adolescents must be carefully designed to meet their unique needs.

Montessori's vision included three distinct, but interrelated components: the expansion of opportunities for self-expression, the development of philosophy (including mathematics, languages and moral development), and preparation for adult life or the use of "occupations" to integrate general education with practical application.

It is through the careful integration of manual and intellectual work that valorization of the personality takes place during this period. Adolescents contributing to the micro-society in which they work gain the confidence in understanding the balance between themselves as individuals and the larger community of humanity. As they journey through the potentially difficult years of rapid growth and hormonal changes, they come to realize that they are valued, not only by the supportive prepared Montessori environment from which they have benefited, but also by that global society into which they are traveling.

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