About Arbor 
Philosophy
Our Mission Statement
The mission of Arbor Montessori School is to develop the unique capabilities of each child, through supportive relationships, joyful learning and meaningful work in a Montessori environment. We seek to foster independence in each child, preparing him or her to contribute with integrity to the community of the larger world.
- Philosophical Foundations and Primary Goal
- Our goal at Arbor Montessori is to develop the unique capabilities of each child, allowing him or her to take a positive, productive place in the larger community. While the child is the center, he or she is not the limit of our school. Parents, teachers, administrative staff and facilities form a circle or community within which the child's growth takes place.
- We seek to accomplish this goal by developing an excellent faculty, staff, and environment for learning; fostering parental understanding, support and involvement; and applying Montessori principles to the entire Arbor community.
- 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.
- Arbor will continue to meet the standards established by Association Montessori Internationale (AMI).
- Our goal at Arbor Montessori is to develop the unique capabilities of each child, allowing him or her to take a positive, productive place in the larger community. While the child is the center, he or she is not the limit of our school. Parents, teachers, administrative staff and facilities form a circle or community within which the child's growth takes place.
- Who We Wish To Serve
- Arbor wishes to provide a Montessori learning environment for children from birth to adolescence. It serves families who are committed to Montessori education, and who share our stated goals and values. This is our common ground.
- Within this common ground, we wish to extend ourselves to make our school more ethnically, culturally, and economically diverse.
- Our first priority in growth is to serve enrolled children through the current program.
- The size of the Arbor community is bounded by the desire to meet our stated goals and to preserve the quality of the Arbor community.
Photo right: Arbor students in the elementary classroom
- Arbor wishes to provide a Montessori learning environment for children from birth to adolescence. It serves families who are committed to Montessori education, and who share our stated goals and values. This is our common ground.
- Principles of Governance
- Arbor makes policy in two ways. Policy which relates to teaching and the classroom is made by the AMI Teachers Team. All other policies are made by the Board of Trustees.
- The responsibility for carrying out these policies is described in the Arbor Organizational Chart.
- These bodies desire to make decisions by consensus. When this is not possible, the majority prevails.
- Governance is based upon democratic principles and open discussion, within the framework of Arbor's philosophy and goals.
- Arbor makes policy in two ways. Policy which relates to teaching and the classroom is made by the AMI Teachers Team. All other policies are made by the Board of Trustees.
- Tasks of Major Importance
- The degree to which we meet our goals depends in large part upon the number and quality of the people who work as paid teachers and staff and as volunteers for Arbor. We want them to be well trained and thoroughly imbued with the Arbor philosophy, but also open to change when it is consistent with those values. We should strongly support these people with the money, training, help and materials they need.
- We are committed to providing children who attend Arbor with a physical environment that can support and enrich Montessori education.
- Arbor should help parents and families, both those new to the school and those already part of it, meet needs that relate to children in ways consistent with the Montessori philosophy.
- Arbor should extend itself and its insights to the Montessori community, other teaching professionals, and to the local community.
- The degree to which we meet our goals depends in large part upon the number and quality of the people who work as paid teachers and staff and as volunteers for Arbor. We want them to be well trained and thoroughly imbued with the Arbor philosophy, but also open to change when it is consistent with those values. We should strongly support these people with the money, training, help and materials they need.
Arbor Montessori admits students of any race color, national or ethnic origin, religion, family structure or sexual orientation to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities of the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, family structure or sexual orientation in the administration of its educational policies, admissions, policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.