Our Story

Wimberley Montessori School opened in the fall of 2004.  Originally we were a branch of Parkside Community School in Austin TX.

Wimberley Montessori offers quality Montessori education while cultivating social skills and a strong sense of community through school-wide cultural activities and outdoor experiences.  Wimberley Montessori School is committed to providing academic excellence and rich social experiences to nurture the child, family, and community. 

 

Our Goal

At Wimberley Montessori School our goal is for each child to become an independent, self-reliant person with the skills necessary to achieve her own goals, the ability to make a positive contribution to society, and to have an awareness of the interrelated nature of all life.  To achieve this goal, we base our educational approach on the developmental philosophy and educational methods of Dr. Maria Montessori.

 

What is Montessori?

Maria Montessori was a philosopher and educator.  She was also Italy’s first female physician.  In her research Dr. Montessori noted specific characteristics associated with a child’s interests and abilities at each level of development.  She believed a school carefully designed to meet the needs and interests of the child would be effective if it were consistent with the basic principles of psychology.  Rather than fight the laws of nature, Montessori suggested that we “follow the child,” allowing him to show us how best to foster the development of his human potential. 

The Montessori classroom is commonly referred to as a “prepared environment.” This term reflects the importance of creating a learning environment which reinforces the child’s natural curiosity, independence, and intellectual development.  An important element in this prepared environment is the use of special Montessori materials.  Based on her studies of children’s learning, Dr. Montessori noted that most children do not learn from memorizing what they hear from their teachers or read in a book, but from concrete experience and direct interaction with their environment.  Montessori materials are designed to facilitate concrete learning in every area of the curriculum.

 

Classroom Structure

Montessori classrooms encompass an age span of three years, allowing younger students to learn from older role models and older students to test and reinforce their knowledge by helping younger classmates.  Working in one class for three years, children are able to develop a strong sense of community with classmates and teachers.  This gives them the foundation on which they build their future interactions with others and the world in general.  The experience of success after an initial difficulty is the essence of effort.  This simple concept facilitates self-confidence and tremendous interest in learning.

 

Curriculum

The Montessori curriculum is organized into a mosaic of integrated studies, in contrast with the traditional education methods in which the curriculum is compartmentalized and presented as isolated, unrelated subjects.  Our course of study implements a thematic approach that ties the various disciplines of the curriculum together into studies of the physical universe, the natural world, and the human experience. Our curriculum includes language arts, (elements of reading, spelling, handwriting, grammar, literature, creative writing, and Spanish), mathematics and geometry, everyday living skills, geography, history, science, art, music, and physical education.  Each classroom has its own library.  We also have frequent assemblies featuring visiting artists, musicians, spiritual and cultural speakers, and career professionals.  Parents are welcome to attend.

 

Primary Program (ages 3 – 6)

Maria Montessori used the term “absorbent mind” to characterize the miraculous learning that occurs during the primary years.  Never again will the human mind so effortlessly take in what surrounds it.  The environment in the classroom is arranged to captivate the child’s interest during the “sensitive periods” for touch, order, movement, language, and math.  The work is predominately individual and self-correcting, inviting repetition.  Three focal points are care of self, care of environment, and care of others.  Strong concentration and will are developed when a child’s efforts are guided by informed choices and true interest.  The children enjoy freedom within well-defined limits.  In short, the primary curriculum is designed to respond to the universal cry of the young child: “Help me to help myself.”

 

Elementary Program

Elementary children are eager to explore and understand the visible and invisible world around them.  To meet their needs, we strive to “give them the universe” through Montessori’s “cosmic curriculum.”  This curriculum first focuses on giving a vision of the universe as a whole.  Then, it develops a perspective of its components and their relationships to each other.  We use impressionist stories, lessons, and experiments to spark the children’s imaginations about the creation of the universe, the evolution of life on earth, and the basic needs of people.  We then turn to the variety of ways in which people have satisfied those needs throughout history.

The mastery of academic basics is achieved through a rich variety of concrete presentations, which leads the child’s imagination to a clear understanding of abstract concepts and ideas.

 

Parent Involvement

At Parkside Community School the parents are welcomed and encouraged to be involved in their children’s education.  Parents are invited to join their children for lunch, observe in the classroom, go on outings, and participate in various school events and activities.  Parents are also expected to volunteer throughout the school year.  Wimberley teachers and staff strive to work closely with parents and children to create a community dedicated to a lifestyle of learning, creativity, and academic curiosity.

 

For more information

Please contact us at: (512) 847-6055

            

 

WimberleyMontessori Schoola dmits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.  It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship programs, and other school-administered programs.