{APS Logo}

Arlington Public Schools is expanding its Middle Years Montessori program pilot for the upcoming 2008-09 school year. The program will move in the fall from its current location at Drew Model School to Gunston Middle School.

Principal, Madge Gill said, “All of us at Gunston are looking forward to the addition of the Middle School Montessori Program to our school’s instructional program. We are thrilled that we will be hosting this expanded program, and plans are underway to welcome the Montessori students and their parents to our school next year.”

As part of Gunston’s transition planning, in addition to information sessions with the families that have already been held, the school will hold an orientation meeting for students and parents on Wed, May 28, from 7-8 p.m. in the Gunston library.

The program’s long term goal is to establish a multi-age middle years’ Montessori program for students in Grades 6, 7, and 8. The Montessori Middle School pilot is open to all Arlington students who have significant Montessori experience and who will be in Grade 6 in the 2008-09 school year. Transportation will be provided.

The Montessori Middle School Program was launched this year as a pilot program at Drew Model School which has 13 Montessori classrooms serving students ages three through Grade 6.

Montessori parent Bryant Monroe is excited about this important step, “Arlington is a national leader in Montessori education, starting one of the first public Montessori programs in the United States. It is wonderful that the program will be available for students who want to continue to learn the APS curriculum in this engaging and exciting way through middle school.”

In addition to academics, the Montessori middle years program emphasizes the development of intrinsic motivation, peace education, and social responsibility. This pilot program was the result of substantial staff and community support and the intensive research of a Montessori middle school exploratory committee comprised of parents, teachers, and staff.

In May 2007, the School Board approved the phase-in of a pilot program if there was compelling student interest. Arlington Superintendent, Dr. Robert G. Smith said, “Because interest in the middle school Montessori program has been higher than originally projected, I am pleased we will be able to move the pilot to a middle school a full year earlier than planned to better serve the students and families that wish to continue with Montessori.”

Montessori education is based on the philosophies and practices of Maria Montessori and has enjoyed worldwide support for over a century. Arlington Public Schools was one of the first publicly-funded Montessori programs in the nation and maintains a thirty-seven year history. Currently, APS supports 17 primary classrooms (ages 3-6) across 10 schools. In addition to hosting a number of the primary classrooms, Drew Model School is home to the elementary Montessori program with 5 lower elementary classrooms (grades 1-3) and 3 upper elementary classrooms (grades 4-5).

For more information, contact the Early Childhood Education office at 703-228-8632.