"We always knew that our daughter’s curiosity and tenacity led her to love exploration and learning, but since she’s been with The Portland Montessori School we've seen her develop personally in ways we hadn't imagined. She is all the better for the love, respect,...
D.L. the Administrator
The Portland Montessori School has given my children such an appreciation for learning
"The Portland Montessori School has given my children such an appreciation for learning and an extensive fund of knowledge. It has been a nurturing, appropriately challenging environment for them to reach their potential."
When our son started kindergarten at The Portland Montessori School
"When our son started kindergarten at The Portland Montessori School, his behavior problems stopped almost immediately. That’s because he had interesting, engaging work to do. He’s so proud to show us the work he’s done when we pick him up after school."
My second grade daughter, in her fifth year with The Portland Montessori School
"My second grade daughter, in her fifth year with The Portland Montessori School, constantly surprises me with the lessons she brings home. Last week, after the whole class spent 3 days in Opal Creek, she showed me the impact of a clearcut on a variety of plant and...
The school community at The Portland Montessori School creates a truly inspiring environment
"The school community at The Portland Montessori School creates a truly inspiring environment that is nurturing and encourages independence and a desire to learn. We see the results of this in our daughter every day."
I could write an essay on how my daughter joined PMS
"I could write an essay on how my daughter joined PMS in the last year and graduated from her primary class reading chapter books and doing long addition and subtraction with multiple numbers. She’s well beyond her kindergarten peers, and my younger son's pride in his...
At The Portland Montessori School, our kids learn to use buttons
"At The Portland Montessori School, our kids learn to use buttons, tie their shoes, juice an orange, crack nuts and cut bananas, clean up after themselves, identify odd and even numbers, sew, set their place at the table, pour their own milk, understand the value of...
I am so happy that my son is spending his kindergarten year in a Montessori environment
"I am so happy that my son is spending his kindergarten year in a Montessori environment where his knowledge, self-control, kindness, sense of purpose, and confidence have all grown by leaps and bounds."
Our son’s vocabulary, spelling, reading and social skills
"Our son's vocabulary, spelling, reading and social skills have grown by leaps and bounds under the Montessori method."
Our son sincerely loves his guide
"Our son sincerely loves his guide, who shows him authentic kindness, warmth, and non-judgmental acceptance. Under her guidance, he has become a self-directed, competent, and curious learner who cares about the world and others around him."
We’ve been a part of this amazing community for seven years
"We've been a part of this amazing community for seven years. Not only are our children getting a fabulous education, but they receive personal care and attention every single day."
The outdoor play area offered at The Portland Montessori School
"The outdoor play area offered at The Portland Montessori School is by far the best we saw in the city, and is a daily source of inspiration for imaginative play for our son. It is a beautiful, secluded-feeling wonderland and the children use it daily, rain or shine!"
Having entered our third full year at what is now The Portland Montessori School
"Having entered our third full year at what is now The Portland Montessori School, we have been moved by not only Mr. Curt, whom Beck looks up to a great deal and thinks is the smartest person in the world, but also by the entire staff’s commitment to each child’s...
The Portland Montessori School is a school with a heart
"The Portland Montessori School is a school with a heart. Each year, parents raise money to sustain scholarships that make the dream of a Montessori education a reality for families who could not otherwise afford it. That shows the true spirit of community at our...
If it’s true what Maria Montessori said
"If it's true what Maria Montessori said, that the test of the correctness of an educational approach is the happiness of the child, then this school is succeeding beyond our wildest dreams. Both our boys are so happy to go to school and so proud of their work."
I have taught in public schools for the past ten years
"I have taught in public schools for the past ten years, including six years in kindergarten, and I can attest that Montessori is different, special, and provides an optimum setting for children's growth and development."
What takes me aback every day is the exceptional commitment
"What takes me aback every day is the exceptional commitment of every single staff member to the nurturing environment that this school provides. The care, understanding, and compassion that they show is and unwavering and is unique to each and every child."
As parents, our ultimate goal is for our child to make independent
"As parents, our ultimate goal is for our child to make independent, healthy and confident choices so he can be a happy and productive person wherever he is in life. We are thankful he is with Miss Jennifer's elementary class and The Portland Montessori School...
Yesterday my second grader added 61 plus 61 in her head
"Yesterday my second grader added 61 plus 61 in her head and she's zipping through the Harry Potter series. So while the school doesn’t measure her progress with test scores, I can see how much she has learned, but more importantly, I can see and feel her excitement...
My wife and I can’t thank the school enough
"My wife and I can’t thank the school enough for helping not only our son, but also us as we try to provide a consistent learning environment in our home."
As the mom of identical (yet nothing alike) twins
"As the mom of identical (yet nothing alike) twins, we wanted a school community that would nurture their individual curiosities and interests and provide them the same lifelong love of learning that I have experienced as a Montessori student many years ago. We found...
Bringing the Prepared Environment Home
By Braden Pemberton Director of Admissions & Special Projects The basic tenants of a Montessori classroom posit that a space should be beautiful, accessible, organized, and limited. These framing ideas remove barriers to children while they pursue activities that...
Independence in the Primary Child: Let’s Let Them Walk
By Amy Williams, MA, DTR, RMT For many of our younger students, walking independently is a new skill. It is necessary to practice as much as possible in order to refine balance and grace. Children are developing muscles, building self-confidence, developing...
The Kindergarten Year – Parent Panel
Editor's note - We held a parent education night, and invited current parents across our Primary and Elementary program to sit for a panel. Each panelist shared their thoughts and processes as they considered the decision to keep their children in the Primary program...
Diversity & Inclusion at TPMS
By Hanan Al-Zubaidy Member of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee at TPMS Hello reader! I am writing this blog post as an on-call staff member at the Portland Montessori School. Recently at the school, a few staff members have formed a Diversity and Inclusion...
Saying No and Being Heard
By Dr. Becky Bailey In its simplest terms, saying “no” and being heard is called “assertiveness.” It is a key skill that both adults and children must cultivate in order to develop healthy relationships. Assertive commands focus on what you want to have happen, give...
How to Know When Development Is Going Awry
Written by Maren Schmidt on March 25th, 2017 “Is my child going through a stage, or is something wrong?” is a question that runs through our minds, usually in the wee hours of the morning. We worry because the question addresses the art of being a parent, that is,...
A Parent’s Perspective
To my fellow TPMS parents— As a new parent to TPMS, while my son is thriving in his classroom, I’m still trying to figure out my role as a parent at the school. Volunteer hours are required as part of our enrollment to keep us connected as a community and to help keep...
Grace and Courtesy
By Ana VanderPol, Primary Guide at The Portland Montessori School Being in a mini-community brings a lot of opportunities to practice using our words, and helping others learn whatever that may be. Sometimes we are part of another person’s learning. In our classroom,...
The Benefits of Keeping your Child in Montessori through Kindergarten: AMother’s Perspective
By Sarah Anderson; current TPMS parent & Board Member A week from now, my baby will turn six. I am certain I could recount every detail of the first day I took him to the Children’s House two months before he turned three . . . what he wore, how his hair flopped...
