WELCOME

MONTESSORI IS AN EDUCATION FOR LIFE!

At Penfield Montessori Academy, we utilize the teaching techniques of Dr. Maria Montessori to help children grow and flourish in multi-age classrooms. By emphasizing discovery and personalized instruction over rote memorization and instruction, we help our students learn and develop in a more free form, constructive manner suited to each child’s unique talents and characteristics. Penfield Montessori Academy is a tuition-free public Montessori charter school starting at K3.

The Guide

Rather than a traditional teacher, the learning in a Montessori classroom is facilitated by a specially trained Montessori Guide. The Guide is a facilitator whose task it is to support the young child in his or her process of self-development. The Guide presents lessons to the child in a precise, clear, and enticing way when he or she is ready. The most important attribute of a Guide is the love and respect s/he holds for each child’s total being.

The Prepared Environment

Each environment is designed to meet the needs, interests, and abilities of the children within the class. Guides adapt the environment by modifying the selection of educational materials available, the physical layout and equipment in the classroom, and by shifting the tone of the class to fit the ever-changing needs of the children. Generally, students work individually or in small self-selected groups.

A Multi-Age Classroom

The classroom consists of children from a multi-age span of three years. This creates a “family like” group where older children help care for, as well as, model lessons, work habits, respectful language, and expected behaviors to the younger children. Meanwhile, younger children look up to and learn from the older children.

The Process of Learning

Montessori materials allow for hands-on learning, active involvement, and self-directed activity. Montessori materials often have a control of error that alerts the child when they have completed the activity incorrectly. This allows children to work independently, unafraid to make mistakes and become comfortable with the fact that errors are essential to the process of learning.

ABOUT PENFIELD MONTESSORI

TOGETHER WE CAN DO AMAZING THINGS

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Our Core Values

At Penfield, our core values serve as the foundation for how we teach our children, serve our families and collaborate as staff. We welcome everyone with compassion, we believe in constant improvement, and we know that together we can maximize our strength. We know that in order to do what it takes we must first be present.

WHY PENFIELD

INDIVIDUALIZED LEARNING THAT FOSTERS INDEPENDENCE

Penfield Montessori Academy fosters an environment in which children of all abilities can learn and grow together in multi-age classrooms. Given the freedom and support to question, to probe deeply, and to make connections, Montessori students become confident, enthusiastic, self-directed learners. They are able to think critically, work collaboratively, and act boldly.

INDIVIDUALIZED LEARNING PLANS

Students work individually or in small self-selected groups. Students are free to learn at their own pace, each advancing as he is ready, guided by the teacher and an individualized learning plan.

DIVERSE & INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT

Each environment is designed to meet the needs, interests, and abilities of the children within the class. Classes are continuously adapted by to fit the ever-changing needs of the children.

TUITION-FREE MONTESSORI EDUCATION

As a Milwaukee Public Charter School, PMA offers a Montessori education that is tuition-free. Students learn in multi-age classrooms that foster independence and curiosity.

OUR PROGRAMS

PEEK INSIDE OUR CLASSES

Students aged 3-6 begin their Montessori education by developing their foundational skills through practical life, sensorial, language, math and cultural work.

Students aged 6-12 learn through independent and small group studies. Areas of focus are mathematics and geometry, language and reading, geography, botany, zoology, and the sciences.

Students aged 12-15 learn through independent and small group studies. While students are continuing their progression through the academic scope and sequence, they begin to invest their time in the larger community around them.