Real materials, living animals, personal research, and frequently food are vital parts of the lessons. Montessori education requires that each student be an active, curious, participant in this process of education. About Us At our core, we are devoted to nurturing the whole child intellectually, socially, emotionally, physically and ethically — all in a caring, safe, and fun environment.{/INSERTKEYS}{/PARAGRAPH} In the early grades, our primary goal is to inspire and awe the students. As the children mature, so do their learning styles. It does not include a lot of textbooks, drills, or mindless repetition. Subscribe to Our Blog Subscribe to be among the first to receive new blog posts from Apple Montessori Schools. Extraordinary is defined as beyond what is usual, ordinary, regular, or singular. One example might be how we learn the parts of a plant. Our academics are strong and our students are very well educated but academics alone will not prepare your child for his or her future. We do this with stories of how the universe began and how human history has evolved through the ages with all people, from all cultures, sharing common needs and goals. {PARAGRAPH}{INSERTKEYS}Our 4 Cornerstones: Passion for Learning One does not receive an education; one achieves an education! It is our hope to keep the flame of curiosity alive in every child and to support and guide them until such time as they are ready to offer their unique talents to the ongoing saga of human endeavor. Some have learning issues or challenges but in the supportive, non-critical society we have here at Apple, they still strive to do and be their best and are accepted by their peers as equals. Striking a balance between what we need and what we want guarantees both success and happiness. Life Skills for Tomorrow Montessori education is fundamentally different from traditional in that we believe, and base all of our decisions and actions on the belief, that children are natural learners. Not all of our students are gifted and talented, however. Every year graduates all over the world are encouraged to follow their passions, find their niche, and be true to themselves, among many other platitudes. Cosmic Task No one knows what the future may hold for or require of our children. Within the peer group, students support one another and together they strive for excellence rather than mediocrity. Typically our graduates have been accepted at all of the surrounding private, parochial, and public schools and many have been placed in gifted and talented programs. We achieve this goal by making learning meaningful and personal. We believe that this cooperative, mutual support, is perhaps their greatest gift to each other. Keeping a love of learning alive in ten and eleven year old children, while their peers in the outer world get distracted by so many other things including a false sophistication and academic stresses will indeed give our students the ultimate edge and the strongest academic foundation possible. Life skills, such as leadership, initiative, self-discipline, persistence, resiliency, communication, and confidence are part of EVERY lesson we offer. Learning to work with, and respect others, will provide them with the skills and character traits so necessary for future success. Each child, no matter how pretty or plain, smart or dull, motivated or not, is extraordinary. They are involved in many research projects, both individually and in cooperative groups. It is something rare, phenomenal, or special. Strong Academic Foundation The Montessori curriculum includes language, math, geography, history, science, physical education, art, music, and technology. It is not enough to fill young minds with endless facts and concepts. This belief is at the core of every decision we make and every action we take as educators. One thing is certain; innovative thinking, strong character, resiliency, curiosity, motivation and the belief that every one of us has a gift to offer and a responsibility to offer it will place our children in good stead. The older students develop interests in history, math, literature, science, culture, and many other subjects. Day in and day out, each child is living in a learning community, using, honing, developing, and controlling skills that will empower them for the rest of their lives.