Tour the new South Walton Montessori Academy school facility, located
in Pt Washington, on Nov 6, 5-7pm
in Pt Washington, on Nov 6, 5-7pm
The South Walton Montessori Academy is holding a public open house on Nov. 6, from 5 to 7 p.m., at its new location 101 Eden Gardens Road, outside the gates of Eden State Gardens in historic Point Washington.
"It's a chance for the community to see their school in a new location," said Catherine Beal, head of the school and lead teacher. "We want people to feel this is their school."
Student-guided tours will be offered at the open house and student works will be on display. The public will also have the opportunity to experience the lessons taught.
"It's really interesting to see them learn a concept in a new way," she said.
The Montessori school offers a hands-on or holistic approach to learning, with instructions ranging from academics to emotional development and conflict resolution, according to Beall.
"We try to give them choices whenever we can so they feel empowered," she said. "When and how students do weekly projects are up to them, it's an individualized curriculum."
The school does not give grades, instead students must work on a skill until it is mastered, then they can move to the next lesson, according to Beall.
"We check them constantly to see their level of mastery," said Beall. "If they can give the lesson to another student then they are ready to move on."
According to Beall, the difference in teaching methods can be seen in the level of respect students show towards one another.
"You will see a high level of respect here, not just between each other, but they will exhibit it in every aspect, from how they treat nature to themselves, parents and other children, too," said Beall. "The way our children interact with each other and everyone else demonstrates what we teach. We talk to them like we talk to each other; we don't baby them or talk down to them.
The South Walton Montessori Academy teaches children from 18 months old to 6th graders. They offer a variety of courses, including French and Spanish.
The nonprofit school was established in 2004 and is committed to providing children with a foundation for lifelong learning. Programs include Toddler (ages 14 months – 3), Early Childhood (ages 3-6), Lower Elementary (ages 6-9), and Upper Elementary (ages 9-12). The Montessori curriculum fosters intellectual, physical, social and emotional development and prepares children to be global citizens. The academy is guided by the standards set forth by the American Montessori Society. More information can be found on the web at www.amshq.org, and www.SouthWaltonMontessori.com. To find the school, turn left on Eden Gardens Road just across from the old Point Washington United Methodist Church on North Highway 395. The school is on the left just before the old gates of Eden State Gardens.
For more information, call Beth Brock at (850) 231-5955.
