“Education is a natural process carried out by the human individual, and is acquired not by listening to words, but by experiences in the environment.”   - Maria Montessori

The Christian Montessori School on St. Simons Island, Georgia has spent 21 years following an authentic Montessori curriculum on its small island campus.  Continuing to remain true to Maria Montessori’s teachings, the school campus is expanding to include its community.

The potential of the school’s barrier island location, the rich local history, a thriving artistic community, and the presence of a varied economy lends itself to exploration and appreciation. Thus, the students focus on a particular aspect of study within this community each school year.

The study of water was last year’s theme, and students visited the Georgia Port Authority , tested local river water for bacteria at the University of Georgia Extension, toured the ecosystems of Jekyll Island, and learned the mission of the Coast Guard in the surrounding waters. Students conducted experiments for separating sediment, creating the three stages of matter, and had opportunities to design, build, and evaluate different kinds of aquifers.

Just as Montessori is an intentionally different educational style, the local community which treasures this school is also unique. This school year, we are considering the significance of plants in our community.  Elementary students here manage compost bins and worm farms, plan and plant and manage small gardens, and examine all manner of flora under microscopes. Later this year we will visit the remnants of rice plantations and consider the important dynamic of water and agriculture.

The Christian Montessori School supports an authentic educational experience that develops active and lifelong learners who have strong bonds within and an innate appreciation of the place where they live.