Our Approach
At MMS, we are committed to nurturing each student's independence and growth.
We serve children aged 18 months to 15 years. We encourage every child to discover his individual potential so that he can contribute to and thrive in a better world.
Montessori programs occur in three-year increments. These mixed-aged classrooms are rich with developmentally appropriate materials, teaching methods, and individualized instruction.
Intellectually rigorous, yet reassuringly nurturing, our programs are carefully designed to help each child successfully make the journey from a wonder-filled childhood to a self-assured, optimistic adulthood
You may notice we like birds.
Each class on the Corte Madera campus bears the name (and sometimes the personality) of the birds students often see around our stunning home. It may take a while to learn all of the names, but eventually, you will likely feel great referring to your child and yourself as a Burrowing Owl.
- Toddler (18 months to 2 years and 6 months): Song Sparrow and Sandpiper
- Primary (2 years and six months to 6 years old): Great Blue Heron, Mourning Dove, Quail, and Pelican
- Lower Elementary (1st through 3rd grade): Chickadee and Burrowing Owl
- Upper Elementary (4th through 6th grade): Belted Kingfisher and Great White Egret
Our mixed-aged classrooms are extraordinarily rich in developmental opportunities.
This structure offers many benefits:
- Children can progress at their own pace without grade level limitations.
- Younger children learn from older children and aspire to do what they are doing. In turn, older children hone their leadership skills, develop empathy, and further their mastery of subject matter by acting as guides to younger children.
- As children stay together for three years in our mixed-aged classrooms, they develop strong social bonds and work together closely to create vibrant class communities.
Our rigorous and joyful program is based on scientifically-grounded best practices in teaching and learning. And, in an innovative and ever-changing world where most careers haven’t even been invented yet, our students have the time and space to dig deep, solve real world problems, and learn by doing.
At the culmination of the Marin Montessori journey, our graduates are confident, capable, grounded people who have learned how to be innovators, leaders, and uniquely self-aware individuals prepared for a lifetime of success.
At MMS, there are no ceilings to the learning, just wide open skies.
18 months - 2.5 years
Ages 2.5 to 6 years old
1st-6th grade / Ages 6 to 12
7th-9th Grade / Ages 12-15