Founded in Rome over 100 years ago, Montessori education is one of the oldest and most widely implemented pedagogies in the world. It is an educational method which values collaboration, competence, self-direction and respect in children, values that benefit all children, across all races, religions and socioeconomic classes. The significance of Montessori remains relevant today because it has a positive long-term impact on its children. Dr. Maria Montessori, who lived through two World Wars, strongly believed that only through the child could we achieve peace and harmony. Today, in a world grappling with so much social and economic adversity, the Montessori method is more relevant than ever.
In 1967, Pearl Vanderwall, a native Sri Lankan, founded Villa di Maria after studying Montessori philosophy with Dr. Maria Montessori herself. Vanderwall's vision was to provide the gift of an authentic Montessori education to as many children as possible.
Villa di Maria has remained committed to and enthusiastic about authentic Montessori, which, through its child-centered approach, has proven time and time again to provide children with a thorough and meaningful education. Villa di Maria offers a strong academic curriculum taught in an open, challenging and encouraging environment'one in which children self-direct their learning. Villa di Maria emphasizes timeless life skills, such as problem-solving, integrity, courtesy and self-expression. Our children work hard to develop the knowledge and skills needed to care for themselves, their community and their environment, and Villa di Maria takes joy in helping them along that path by treating them with the respect and integrity they deserve. After all, it is the development of the whole person Villa di Maria strives to achieve. Villa di Maria is helping to shape incredible people who just may one day change the world.
Today, Villa di Maria prides itself in providing the highest quality Montessori education to over 160 children ranging from age 2 to 12. Staying true to Vanderwall's vision of providing as many children as possible with authentic Montessori education, Villa di Maria offers financial assistance to those in need. The staff at Villa di Maria (many of whom hail from international backgrounds) have been rigorously trained in child development and the Montessori method, and add tremendous value to our rich community and to the surrounding community at large.
recent research shows that Montessori children exhibit a more highly developed sense of community and social skills than students in other programs. A tenet of the Montessori method is an emphasis on grace and courtesy. The daily school life of every Villa student includes exercises in respect toward the other children and adults in the school community, as well as the community at large. In particular, Villa di Maria typically engages in 3 to 4 community outreach projects per year. In the recent past, we have worked to raise awareness of and to support local organizations such as Nurses for Newborns, The Little Bit Foundation, and Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition. In every case, we encourage hands-on involvement from our students.
Review from #MyGivingStory