Frequently Asked Questions

The greatest difference is that Montessori follows the child rather than expecting the child to follow a fixed curriculum. In a traditional classroom, children typically move through the same lessons together. In Montessori, learning is personalized, allowing each child to progress at a pace that matches their unique development.  We carefully observe each child's interests, abilities, and stage of development, then provide the guidance and opportunities they need to build a deeper understanding of what they learn while growing into confident, capable, and curious learners. 

A Montessori school offers more than care—it provides a carefully prepared environment where children learn through purposeful, hands-on activities designed to support their natural development. Each activity has a purpose that helps children build independence, confidence, and a strong foundation for lifelong learning. 

We'll answer this question by sharing an example of a typical day in a Montessori classroom:

Morning Uninterrupted Work Cycle 

This is the heart of the Montessori day: a 2–3 hour period of focused, self-directed learning. During this time:

•Children choose work that interests them, from math materials to language puzzles, sensorial tasks to geography maps.

•Teachers (we call them “guides”) offer individualized lessons, based on careful observation of each child’s readiness and needs.

•Students build concentration, problem-solving skills, and a love of learning that lasts a lifetime.

•It’s not uncommon to see a 4-year-old writing a story while another child practices bead-chain multiplication nearby. The room hums with purpose and joy.

Midday | Lunch & Recess 

After a full morning of focus, children prepare to eat. Lunch is a time for independence and community. Children:

•Set their own place

•Use real utensils

•Practice grace and courtesy in conversation

It’s a moment of shared connection, where social-emotional learning is just as important as practical life skills.

After lunch, children clean their own lunches, rinsing dishes in the sink, putting them into the dishwasher, and wiping down their space. Then they head outside for active, imaginative play—a key part of Montessori learning that supports gross motor development and social growth.

Afternoon| Deeper Work & Enrichment

For full-day students, the afternoon brings another opportunity to engage in meaningful work—whether finishing a morning project or diving into something new.

For Kindergarten students, the afternoon includes exciting enrichment opportunities:

•Outdoor garden time

•Sewing projects

•Group work: two or three kids working together on more difficult tasks with a guide

The afternoon is also a time for cross-classroom connection, allowing Kindergartners to bond with peers and build confidence as the leaders of the Primary community.

Dismissal

At dismissal, children head home with a sense of accomplishment and calm, having spent the day in a space where they were trusted, challenged, and known.

Families may also opt into extended day or after-school clubs for continued exploration and play.

Montessori students develop strong reading, writing, and math skills through hands-on education. Research has shown that children in high-quality Montessori programs perform as well as or better than their peers academically (for more information you can scroll below to "Is Montessori Evidence Based?").

Montessori education does not expect children to learn less—it is about helping them learn more deeply. By introducing lessons when children are developmentally ready and allowing them to master concepts through hands-on exploration, they build both strong academic skills and a genuine understanding of what they are learning. Children who transition to traditional schools generally adapt well because they have learned how to learn, not simply how to memorize.

Instead of relying on grades or standardized tests, Montessori teachers carefully observe each child's progress every day.  Montessori teachers get to know each child as an individual. Through daily observation and careful record-keeping, they track each child's academic, social, and emotional development, ensuring each child is receiving a complete education.

It’s normal to want to make sure that your child is receiving the best education. Here are some examples of successful individuals who went through Montessori education:

• Jeff Bezos attended Montessori preschool in Albuquerque. His mother shared once in an interview: "Jeff would get so engrossed in his activities as a Montessori preschooler that his teachers would literally have to pick him up, chair and all, to move him to the next activity."

• Larry Page (Google Co-founder) "I think it was part of that training of not following rules and orders, and being self-motivated, questioning what's going on in the world, and doing things a little bit differently." 

• Jimmy Wales (Wikipedia Founder) "I was always encouraged to think for myself." 

• Gabriel García Márquez a Colombian journalist, screenwriter and novelist “"I do not believe there is a method better than Montessori for making children sensitive to the beauties of the world and awakening their curiosity regarding the secrets of life." 

Montessori is one of the most researched alternative educational models in the world, and the evidence is overall positive, particularly for authentic Montessori programs that closely follow Dr. Montessori's methods like Oakridge Montessori School. Studies have found that children in authentic Montessori programs typically perform as well as or better than their peers academically in addition to developing strong executive function, independence, problem-solving skills, and a genuine love of learning. 

Here are just a few of the many studies conducted on Montessori education for you to reference:

1. Montessori Education's Impact on Academic and Nonacademic Outcomes: A Systematic Review (2023)

In this study, the researchers reviewed over 2,000 published studies on Montessori education and distilled it down to the top 32 most rigorous studies. They took the data from the top studies and compared Montessori education results to those of traditional education. What they found is that students in Montessori programs showed modest but meaningful advantages in academic achievement, reading, mathematics, executive function, creativity, social skills, and positive feelings about school.

2. Evaluating Montessori Education (2006)

This is another study that compared testing results on Montessori students versus traditional education students. The results found that by the end of kindergarten, Montessori children performed better on measures of reading, math, executive function, social understanding, and positive social behavior. By age 12, Montessori students also wrote more creative essays and demonstrated stronger social reasoning.

3. Montessori Education: A Review of the Evidence Base (2017)

This study is another example of a review done on all the studies available on Montessori education. The review concludes that many Montessori practices align closely with modern developmental psychology, particularly the emphasis on hands-on learning, self-directed activity, mixed-age classrooms, long, uninterrupted work periods, learning through movement, and intrinsic motivation.

4. A national randomized controlled trial of the impact of public Montessori preschool at the end of kindergarten (https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2506130122)

This study followed 588 children across the US from age 3 through kindergarten. Half went to Montessori schools and half entered into traditional education. Results showed that by the end of kindergarten, the children attending Montessori schools had significantly better outcomes for reading, short-term memory, executive function, and social understanding. 

Not at all. Montessori gives children freedom within clear limits, teaching them to make respectful choices while caring for themselves, others, and their environment. Rather than relying primarily on rewards and punishments, teachers help children develop self-discipline, responsibility, and self-control—skills that last long after they leave the classroom. 

Most children thrive in a Montessori environment because it is designed to meet each child where they are. Every child learns differently, and that's exactly what Montessori was designed for. Rather than expecting children to fit into one way of learning, Montessori teachers carefully observe each child and adapt lessons to their individual needs, interests, and pace. Every child is unique, and Montessori celebrates those differences rather than expecting everyone to learn the same way.

Children can begin Montessori as early as infancy, but it's never too late to start. Montessori classrooms are thoughtfully designed to support each child at their current stage of development, so whether your child is 2, 3, 4, or older, they will be welcomed, challenged, and guided at a pace that's right for them. The best time to begin is simply when your family is ready.

No school is the perfect fit for every child, and no educational approach can promise the same outcome for everyone. What makes Montessori unique is that it adapts to the child, not the other way around. By carefully observing each child and responding to their individual needs, we create the best possible environment for them to flourish academically, socially, and emotionally.

Every child has a different temperament, and Montessori embraces those differences. Because classrooms are calm, respectful, and less focused on competition or performing in front of the group, many reserved children feel more comfortable participating and gradually become more confident over time.  Many shy children thrive in Montessori because they are given the time and space to build confidence at their own pace. Teachers gently encourage participation while respecting each child's personality, helping them develop meaningful friendships and confidence without forcing them into situations before they're ready. 

Many energetic children thrive in Montessori because it provides an environment based on an understanding of how young children learn. Rather than expecting children to sit quietly for long periods, Montessori encourages hands-on activities, movement throughout the classroom, and purposeful work that keeps both the mind and body engaged. Teachers help children develop focus and self-regulation over time, rather than expecting it from the start.

If your child has special needs, we encourage you to come visit, meet our teachers, and talk with us about your child's unique strengths and challenges. With two Montessori guides in each classroom of approximately twenty students, we're able to provide more individualized guidance than many traditional classrooms. Together, we can determine whether our environment is the best place for your child to grow and succeed. 

Oakridge Montessori school works closely with a fully certified speech therapist and occupational therapist who come to the campus to work with children during the school day. When filling out an inquiry form or scheduling a tour you can ask about access to these additional services that Oakridge offers. Our goal is to make sure every child has the tools and support they need to thrive.