About Arbor 
The Arbor Advantage
Elementary Training Comes to Atlanta!
Starting in the Summer of 2010, the Montessori Institute of Atlanta will begin hosting an AMI elementary training course. This is wonderful news for the greater Atlanta area Montessori community and will help relieve the elementary teacher shortage nationally. Lead trainer, J. McKeever , is an experienced classroom teacher and AMI consultant who has been working at the AMI training center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The course will be in a 3 summer format with an optional 4th summer at Loyola University in Maryland to complete a Master's degree. Arbor is excited and proud to be the host school and will work with MIA to provide trainees with an excellent experience. If you, or someone you know, is interested in finding out more about Montessori elementary or primary training, please call the Montessori Institute of Atlanta at 404-325-7264 or visit their website.
Arbor Montessori students learn from a proven curriculum:
Every lead teacher at Arbor has received extensive training and is certified by the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI). Teachers learn a broad curriculum as part of their training; they also learn to keenly observe children and to evaluate individual levels of readiness for lessons. Each Arbor teacher supplements this training yearly through workshops and seminars. We invite and encourage parents to learn about the curriculum by attending Montessori Curriculum Nights held in the fall. Detailed literature is also available in the Arbor office.
Arbor Montessori students learn in a mixed age environment:
Mixed age groups naturally reflect family, neighborhood, and work-place environments. In a mixed-age classroom, younger children have the opportunity to learn from older classmates; older children gain confidence from sharing their experience. This interaction fosters independent learning and creates a stimulating classroom atmosphere.
Arbor Montessori students are given the freedom to learn:
Class size is designed to be large enough to foster independence optimal but small enough to allow for appropriate guidance and supervision - 2 teachers for 27-30 children. Children in a Montessori classroom choose their own work within guidelines set by the teacher. This framework offers a great deal of freedom, but each freedom has a corresponding responsibility.
Photo left: Arbor students in the primary classroom
Arbor children have the time to pursue extra-curricular activities:
In a Montessori classroom, children develop skills needed to work independently, to organize time, and to use resources effectively. In most schools, the only time left for acquiring these skills after a highly structured school day, is time spent at home doing homework. The Montessori philosophy supports the idea that, when the school day is structured differently, work is completed during school hours so that children can spend their afternoon time in activities with family and friends. These activities can be as important as schoolwork in developing responsibility and independence in children.
Arbor students learn without the pressures of competition:
Maria Montessori believed that a non-competitive atmosphere for children worked best for optimal learning. Children need a chance to gain mastery with skills before they are exposed to competition. "Never let a child risk failure until he has a reasonable chance of success," she wrote. Self-confidence comes from the recognition of progress in one's own work, rather than from comparison to the work of another.
Arbor has regular parent/teacher conferences:
Twice a year, teachers meet with parents for an in-depth conference as well as any other time when the parents or teachers need to communicate. Many parents feel additionally informed when are familiar about Montessori philosophy and curriculum. Parents can learn about their child’s classroom environment by scheduling visits and observations. We welcome you to contact your child’s teacher with questions or concerns.
An Arbor Montessori education is a preparation for life:
The real world many of us experience as adults can be described as people working together with other people of varying ages and backgrounds, in a productive and cooperative atmosphere. When seen in this light, the Montessori classroom is indeed a very close reflection of the "real world."
Arbor Montessori students are trained in conflict resolution and peer mediation:
Conflicts arise naturally out of interaction between different people. The balance of freedom and responsibilities found in the Montessori classroom teaches each child to have respect for self, for others, for the classroom, and for the materials. In addition, with guidance from teachers and staff, children at each level at Arbor are taught conflict resolution skills. They begin the life-long process of learning to respect others' opinions and to search for win-win solutions for conflicts.
The attitudes and skills for win/win conflict resolution and problem solving that we help children construct in the early years provide the foundation they will need for making peace as adults in the 21st century. Complex social issues and increasing global interdependence place new demands on our capacities to work together. Our students go out into the larger community equipped to be team players, peacemakers and change agents for a better world. Our graduates give us hope for a positive future. It is important work that we share.
We realize that the example of how we live and work together is the most important aspect of a peace curriculum. So, at Arbor, we are committed to living, learning and teaching principles of community. Arbor’s Statement of Purpose says, “Arbor strives to be a model community, implementing Maria Montessori’s philosophy of respect for individuals, child and adult, in every aspect of school life.”
Photo right: A student proudly displays Arbor's Peer Mediation Handbook
Arbor Montessori School offers parent observations:
Observations are a wonderful way for parents to become familiar with Arbor and to get a first hand look at their child’s classroom. Parents are encouraged to sign-up in the office to schedule observations of their child’s class.
Arbor Montessori School has AMI Accreditation:
AMI/USA consultants evaluate the school, classrooms and staff every three years for AMI accreditation. AMI-trained teachers and coordinators observe, evaluate, and support classrooms on a regular basis. New teachers receive support and mentoring by coordinators and colleagues. The AMI-trained head of school is also available for observations and consultations. Only AMI-trained professionals are fully qualified to evaluate Arbor’s programs and faculty. The “Cycle of Evaluative Inquiry,” found in the POLICIES AND PROCEDURES section of the parent handbook, reflects Arbor’s commitment to excellence and ensures that all students receive the Montessori education that Maria Montessori intended. Our expertise and commitment to the Montessori philosophy is one of the defining qualities of Arbor Montessori School and is what attracts and retains parents who are strong supporters of our community.
Arbor Montessori School offers Parent Education Classes and Curriculum Nights:
The best way to learn about Montessori as it applies to your child is to attend our parent Education sessions, hosted by the primary and elementary coordinators and by attending the Montessori Curriculum Nights that are held in the fall. Detailed literature is also available in the Arbor office.