Our Mission
Morningside Montessori School is an independent preschool that combines Montessori philosophy with contemporary early childhood research and best practices to inspire young minds. In our classrooms, students are encouraged to pursue knowledge through their own ideas and interests as well as to learn from each other. Our core values of joy & wonder, a love of learning, warm community, independence, and grace & courtesy reflect who we are and serve as a compass for our future.
Our Core values
Joy, Wonder, and a Lifelong Love of Learning
We cannot know the consequences of suppressing a child’s spontaneity when he is just beginning to be active. We may even suffocate life itself. That humanity which is revealed in all its intellectual splendor during the sweet and tender age of childhood should be respected with a kind of religious veneration. It is like the sun which appears at dawn or a flower just beginning to bloom. Education cannot be effective unless it helps a child to open up himself to life. - Maria Montessori
Children develop a lifelong love of learning by independently exploring the world and through hands-on experience. From the classrooms to the shared spaces to the educational materials, our children are actively engaged throughout the school day and are given many opportunities to become absorbed in and fascinated with their own interests and ideas. We follow the child, for we believe that this is the best way to instill joy and pleasure in the earliest school experiences, which builds a strong foundation for learning for the rest of their lives.
Warm and Inclusive Community
We should walk together on this path of life, for all things are part of the universe and are connected with each other to form one whole unity. - Maria Montessori
Morningside prides itself on having a warm, open, and inclusive community. Our intimate scale and setting uniquely equip us to foster fruitful, lasting relationships between teachers, faculty, children, families, and caregivers. These relationships are built not only in the classroom, but through open and frequent communication, opportunities to discuss and celebrate our differences, and a variety of social gatherings and community-building events. Both our daily operations and special events are infused with a welcoming spirit and inclusivity for all families, when held in-person or when held virtually.
Independence
Any child who is self-sufficient, who can tie his shoes, dress or undress himself, reflects in his joy and sense of achievement the image of human dignity which is derived from a sense of independence. - Maria Montessori
Following a key element of Montessori philosophy, MMS strives to foster children’s independence. Like Maria Montessori, we believe that self-sufficiency is the crucial building block that underlies a child’s experiences of pleasure and self-worth. To foster independence, our classroom environments and materials are designed to allow children to explore and learn “by doing,” while extended periods of “work time” encourage children to follow their interests and master skills independently over time. Our teachers are stewards of this process who “follow the child,” allowing students to guide their own learning.
Grace & Courtesy
What is social life if not the solving of social problems, behaving properly, and pursuing aims acceptable to all? It is not sitting side by side and hearing someone else talk. - Maria Montessori
Morningside Montessori is a community that fosters grace and courtesy. Our peaceful classrooms introduce children to social strategies that help them navigate friendships, articulate their emotions, and engage in positive interactions as they grow and mature. As our children encounter both the beauty and struggle of building relationships, they learn to be compassionate and empathetic, while also exploring the impact of their own agency in this world. They are our future, and we foster their ability to build bridges, embrace differences, and problem solve so that together they can help make the world a better place.
