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Discover the Difference: Montessori vs Public School

Updated: Oct 10, 2023

One of the biggest decisions parents face is whether they should choose a Montessori or public school education. Both Montessori and public Schools have their positives and negatives, providing distinctive educational encounters. Comparing Montessori vs public school in terms of curriculum, learning environment, student experience, parental involvement and cost to determine which type of schooling is most suitable for a family's needs.


Table of Contents:

Montessori Curriculum


The Montessori curriculum is a unique approach to education that focuses on the development of each child. It emphasizes self-directed learning, hands-on activities, and individualized instruction. The aim is to foster autonomy, analytical aptitude, problem-solving capacity and imagination in children while also instructing them on everyday life skills such as horticulture, cooking and stitching.

At Kanata Montessori School, students are encouraged to explore their interests in an environment that fosters autonomy and independence. Through observation and careful guidance from teachers, students can progress at their own pace with personalized instruction tailored to meet their needs. This allows them to reach their full potential without feeling overwhelmed or rushed through the material.

The classroom environment is designed with this concept in mind; it includes materials specifically chosen for their ability to engage children’s natural curiosity about the world around them. From math beads and puzzles for younger learners to microscopes for older ones - all materials encourage the exploration of topics in greater depth and understanding than traditional classrooms allow for.

Kanata Montessori School stresses the importance of community among its students through collective actions such as circle time or class council meetings, where children can share their daily occurrences, helping to create a sense of unity in the learning environment.


The Montessori system of instruction is a modernized educational method that promotes self-sufficiency, autonomy and investigation. A safe, nurturing atmosphere is created to foster the curiosity of all children and help them reach their highest possible potential. The next heading will discuss the unique learning environment created by Kanata Montessori School, which furthers this personalized education experience.


Key Takeaway: Kanata Montessori School provides a space to investigate their passions, while promoting autonomy and imagination. Personalized instruction tailored to children’s individual requirements is provided, enabling them to reach their maximum potential.


Learning Environment


The learning environment at Kanata Montessori is designed to provide students with a peaceful and orderly space for collaboration. Classrooms are multi-age, allowing students of different ages to work together in an atmosphere of mutual respect and support. Classrooms at Kanata Montessori are tailored to nurture abilities like communication, resolving disputes, problem-solving and sympathy among students of varying ages in a setting that fosters mutual respect.

In the classroom, there are activities that foster independence while also encouraging group cooperation. Students learn through hands-on exploration and self-guided discovery rather than being lectured or instructed by the teacher. Students can progress without haste, forming their own comprehension of ideas through autonomous investigation and tactile experimentation.


Kanata Montessori classrooms are stocked with a variety of materials to facilitate exploration and spark creativity. These include puzzles, blocks, counting rods and language cards for manipulation; maps, globes and timelines as visual aids; books on different topics; art supplies for artistic expression; musical instruments for rhythm exploration; science tools for experiments; natural objects collected from nature walks outside the school grounds, and more.


The teachers also use a variety of teaching methods, including storytelling, demonstrations, experiments, role-playing exercises and more. Educators encourage students to pose queries in order to attain an enhanced grasp of the material under scrutiny. The teachers also focus on building relationships between themselves and each student so that they can better understand individual needs when it comes to learning styles or subject preferences. The child will spend three years, or one stage of development, with the same teacher. This allows for a seamless transition from year to year without any time lost getting to know each other at the beginning of a new school year. Families appreciate this special connection with their Montessori teachers.


Overall, Kanata Montessori provides an ideal learning environment where children can grow academically as well as socially in a safe yet stimulating setting. Everyone is valued regardless of age or ability level.


The Learning Environment at Kanata Montessori is one of personalized education and individualized attention, allowing students to reach their full potential. In the Kanata Montessori environment, learners are offered the opportunity to flourish and progress that is not obtainable in conventional educational institutions.

Key Takeaway: Kanata Montessori provides a unique and enriching learning experience, with multi-age classrooms that foster independence while also promoting collaboration. It offers students stimulating materials to explore, hands-on activities to engage in, and teachers who are focused on building relationships - all within an orderly yet peaceful environment.


Student Experience


At Kanata Montessori, we recognize that each student is special and should be given the chance to grow in an atmosphere tailored to their personal needs. Our student experience focuses on providing a personalized learning journey for each child.


In our classrooms, students are encouraged to explore their interests at their own pace while being supported by experienced teachers and peers. Hands-on experiences, like puzzles, games, artworks and the like, can give learners a more substantial understanding of ideas that are personally meaningful. This encourages them to take ownership of their learning process, which leads to greater engagement in the classroom, increased confidence and understanding.

Our program also includes outdoor activities, such as Forest School, or taking strolls in the natural forest or tending to a garden, so students can gain insight into their environment through firsthand experience and investigation.


Additionally, they have access to music, art, drama and French Language classes so they can further enrich their educational experience with these specialties.

At Kanata Montessori, we provide individualized education to maximize each student's academic and social growth while keeping parents informed of their child’s progress. We understand how important parental involvement is for children’s success in school; therefore, we strive for open communication between parents and teachers regarding progress reports or any concerns related to the student’s educational journey at Kanata Montessori School. We host parent-teacher conferences twice per year where parents get detailed feedback from teachers about what skills their children have acquired over time, along with areas where improvement is needed. Moreover, there are various events throughout the year organized by the school which provide families with an opportunity to socialize within our community, such as a Fall Fair.


The student experience at a Montessori school is one of personal growth and development, allowing for an individualized learning approach that encourages exploration and self-discovery.


Key Takeaway: Kanata Montessori provides an individualized educational journey, with personalized teaching and hands-on involvement. Our curriculum also includes outdoor activities and specialties like music, art and drama lessons and French Language classes for students to further enrich their education. We strive for open communication between parents and teachers regarding progress reports as well as hosting parent-teacher conferences twice a year along with other events that bring our community together.


Cost


There is no denying that private schools are not cheap; a considerable amount of money is needed for tuition. However, when considering the personalized education and increased rates of university acceptance provided by Montessori schools such as Kanata Montessori, this expense may be well worth the investment for many families.


Though the financial burden of investing in your child's future education may appear daunting, many parents find that closer inspection reveals a more reasonable price tag when taking into account all the advantages private school has to offer. For example, smaller class sizes, regular personalized communication with your child’s teacher along with meaningful field trips and sports events are included in tuition.


At Kanata Montessori, we understand the importance of getting value from educational investments. We strive to provide an exceptional learning experience while keeping our tuition fees reasonable and manageable.

Key Takeaway: Private schools like Kanata Montessori may come with a high price tag, but their tailored education and increased rates of university acceptance often make them worth the investment. At Kanata Montessori, we strive to provide an exceptional learning experience at competitive prices.



FAQs in Relation to Montessori vs Public School


Why is Montessori school better than public?


Montessori schools offer a unique approach to education that is tailored to the individual needs of each student. In contrast to traditional schooling, Montessori classrooms emphasize an experiential approach and autonomy. The curriculum focuses on developing life skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, collaboration and self-regulation while also providing academic instruction in core subjects like math, science and language arts, and specialities like music, fine art, drama, and Forest school. Classes are kept to a smaller size, providing instructors with the opportunity for more individualized attention and connection with their students. Ultimately, Montessori schools provide a stimulating environment where children can reach their full potential without feeling overwhelmed or bored by traditional teaching methods.


How is Montessori different from public schools?


Montessori edification is founded on notions of self-governing study, and deference for a child's inherent psychological development. Montessori schools provide an individualized learning environment with smaller class sizes and tailored activities to help students reach their full potential. Furthermore, Montessori teachers are trained to observe each student’s progress closely and tailor activities accordingly so as to ensure that all children reach their full potential.


Are Montessori students more successful?


Yes, Montessori students are more successful than their peers. Results have demonstrated that Montessori students demonstrate higher success than their counterparts in educational performance, social growth and problem-solving capabilities. They also demonstrate increased levels of independence and self-confidence as well as better executive functioning abilities such as planning and organization. Research has revealed that Montessori schooling encourages a sustained enthusiasm for education, enabling kids to investigate their fascinations while honing the capacities they require for later achievement.


Is Montessori proven to be better?


Yes, research has revealed that the Montessori method of instruction can be beneficial for many students. Research studies have found that children in a Montessori environment typically demonstrate higher academic achievement than their peers in traditional classrooms. Additionally, they tend to show greater social and emotional development as well as better self-regulation skills. The individualized instruction, freedom to explore interests, and encouragement of critical thinking in Montessori schools likely contribute to the higher academic achievement, social and emotional development, and self-regulation skills seen among students.


Conclusion


Deciding which type of education to provide for your child requires thoughtful consideration of many factors, including a comparison between Montessori and public schools. Weighing up Montessori vs public school is a critical factor in selecting the best learning atmosphere for your family. From curriculum and learning environments to student experience and parental involvement - each educational system has its own unique benefits. Ultimately, the cost of each system should be weighed against its benefits to determine which is best for your family.


Come join us at Kanata Montessori to experience personalized education and explore the advantages of a Montessori education compared to a public school. Our team is dedicated to providing an enriching learning environment for students from toddler through high school!


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