Montessori schools are everywhere. But what does Montessori actually mean?

Few educators have had as lasting of an impact as Maria Montessori - an Italian physician and educator who opened her first classroom in Rome in 1907. Her unique teaching philosophy "was based on her scientific observations of children's natural learning processes," which eventually led to the development of the Montessori method of learning, explains Munir Shivji, a Montessori educator and the executive director of the American Montessori Society. 

She says the method became popularized in America after an education pioneer in the 1950s, named Nancy Rambusch, "found herself dissatisfied with the education system in the United States," eventually leading her to discover Maria Montessori and introducing the teaching method here. 

The learning style grew in popularity in the decades since but exploded with the advent of social media as countless parents publicly praised its results in their children. Today, there are more than 3,000 Montessori schools in the U.S., of which nearly 600 are public school programs, per the National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector (NCMPS). Worldwide, it's in more than 15,000 schools.

"Montessori is the most widespread and common alternative education system in the world," says Angeline Lillard, a professor of psychology at the University of Virginia and the director of the Montessori science program there. 

What is a Montessori school? 

A Montessori School is a public or private learning center where the Montessori method of education is practiced. This type of education emphasizes hands-on learning "with specially designed materials to help children learn concepts through direct experience," says Shivji.

The primary focus of the Montessori method is a child-centered developmental approach to education, says Sara Suchman, a Montessori educator and NCMPS's executive director. "Dr. Montessori observed that, given the right environment and materials, children choose to learn, and adult coercion and external rewards are not needed and can, in fact, be counterproductive to developing independent learners," she explains. 

Some common Montessori learning materials include sensory objects like sandpaper letters and puzzle maps, plus construction shapes such as cylinders, cubes, rods, and prisms that are used to master specific skills and techniques. Montessori educators also have unique tools they use to teach children science and mathematical concepts. 

In a Montessori school, children are encouraged to explore their own interests and learn at their own pace. "This cultivates tremendous independence, teaches problem-solving skills, promotes curiosity, builds self-confidence, and helps children develop their social skills as they often have to work together," says Rachel Supalla, a Montessori-certified educator and the director of many Discovery KidZone Montessori Learning Centers across Montana and Utah. 

While the non-traditional style of learning surprises some parents when they first encounter it, "research indicates that Montessori students often perform as well as or better than their peers in traditional schools on standardized tests," says Shivji.  

Indeed, a recent meta-analysis - which Lillard co-authored - examined 32 studies and found that Montessori education significantly positively impacted academic and non-academic outcomes.

"Its focus is on the whole child - social development, emotional development, and cognitive development - rather than aiming to pass tests alone," says Lillard. "This helps children develop into independent but collaborative, socially aware, competent adults who know themselves and are equipped to lead meaningful, useful lives."

How is a Montessori school different than a regular school?

There are several things that make Montessori education unique. For one, Montessori teachers act as guides or facilitators rather than traditional teachers, "observing and supporting each child's individual learning journey," says Shivji.  

Another difference is that kids of various age groups, such as 3-6-year-olds, all learn in the same classroom, so children have opportunities to learn from and teach each other. In fact, central to the Montessori method is each child demonstrating mastery of a concept or skill "by teaching it to one of their peers until their peer understands it as well," says Supalla.

In Montessori schools, children also freely choose from several different activities or materials, depending on what they need at any given moment instead of all being assigned the same task. "No one shows them those things - they figure it out," says Lillard. 

Shivji says there's also an emphasis on a real-world application of what's learned and that Montessori-taught kids are encouraged to be involved in and contribute to their communities in meaningful ways. "We also emphasize courtesy, proper manners, and respect," says Supalla. "I can always spot Montessori-trained students even in different classroom settings because they are the ones tidying up a space without being asked or helping another student with a problem they don't understand."

Does Montessori learning have any downsides?

Despite such benefits, the popular learning method does have some downsides. For one, the Montessori name isn't trademarked, so any educator can say they are teaching Montessori methods even if they aren't adhering to specific curriculum or using approved materials. 

And accessibility represents a significant barrier both in terms of expense and there being a limited number of schools and Montessori-trained educators. "Montessori has historically been primarily available to tuition-paying families," says Suchman. But she says that's beginning to change and that families can search for both public and private Montessori schools on the NCMPS's Montessori Census.

Most private schools have an admission application while public schools that practice Montessori learning - either district or charter - have a lottery process. "Whether looking at a private or public Montessori school," advises Suchman, "parents should inquire as to whether the teachers have a recognized credential specifically for teaching Montessori, if the school is recognized by a national Montessori organization, and if the school uses Montessori curriculum and materials."