Montessori is an education for independence, preparing not just for school, but for life. – Maria Montessori
Montessori is an approach to education based upon the principle that schooling should work with the nature of the child instead of against it. Therefore, education should be based upon scientific study of the child and a resulting understanding of the processes of development and learning.
Italian educator and physician Maria Montessori developed this educational approach in the late 19th century and opened her first classroom in Rome in 1907. Since then, the Montessori education has spread all over the world.
The Jakarta Montessori School (JMS), located in Jagakarsa in South Jakarta, is the only fully accredited Montessori school in Jakarta with the Montessori International Centre London and affiliated with the International Montessori Council USA.
The school premises include large and open classrooms, a multi-function room, a computer lab, library, an art studio, a music suite, a first aid room, a kitchen, a Parents room, as well as a basketball court and Futsal area.
On December 10, JMS celebrates its 30th anniversary by hosting a gala on the school campus between 10 AM and 5 PM, which will be attended by students and their families, friends and alumni.
Looking back on three successful decades of implementing the Montessori way of teaching and learning, JMS prides itself on closely following the main principles of the educational approach that distinguishes it from regular schools.
It teaches to individuals instead of groups, allowing the teacher to address the specific needs of a child; the children themselves learn through actively practicing tasks rather than merely listening and having to remember.
The Montessori classrooms are designed in a way that grants its students an easy access to a variety of learning experiences, whereas the materials have all been thoroughly researched to fit the developmental needs and characteristics of children. Lastly, the teachers are specifically trained to teach respect and positive values.
After a recent visit by the Montessori Evaluation & Accreditation Board, JMS was successfully re-accredited. The Board was impressed with the school’s dedication and passion.
“The mission to inspire and encourage children to become lifelong learners is evident in the daily life of the school where children’s unique potential is nurtured and children’s independence is encouraged in all classroom’s,” the Accreditation report reads. “The Parents who were interviewed were very proud of their child’s independence, particularly when compared to other children within the extended family. They also spoke of their children’s joy when coming to school”.
