Ellis Ward, left, teaches herself to tie a bow as Jacob Messina, background right, works on a project at Montessori Academy.

--Photos by Mickey Welsh Advertiser

When Maureen Neighbors heard about Montessori programs, she thought children in Montessori schools do whatever they want, when they want, with no teacher discipline involved.

Neighbors, the proud parent of a son who has been a Montessori student for about three years, now laughs when she recalls her initial feelings.

"It's a very disciplined, nurturing environment based on the way children learn rather than negative reinforcement," Neighbors said. Her 4-year-old son, Chas, is a student at Montessori Academy. "I am a very strong believer in the Montessori method of teaching."

Montessori education, which has been around since the early 1900s, is based on education principles established by Maria Montessori, an Italian physician who dedicated her career to studying children.

MONTESSORI SCHOOLS Montessori is a non-faith-based approach based on education principles established by Maria Montessori, an Italian physician who dedicated her career to the study of children. Students are in mixed-age classes and use hands-on sensory techniques to learn concepts in math, science and music. The environment is set up very much like a home and children progress at their own pace according to their individual capabilities.

Since that time, thousands of independent Montessori schools have been established in the U.S., while others are affiliated with public and charter schools, according to the American Montessori Society. There are more than a dozen of the certified schools in Alabama.

But many Montessori schools across the nation have folded in recent years due to a lack of understanding or interest, according to the Montessori society. That has not been the case locally.

Montessori Academy has been around for 23 years, while Montgomery Montessori, on the city's east side, recently moved from its building of a year to accommodate its growing student population. Teachers and parents say their schools continue to thrive because, like many education alternatives in the tri-county area, it fills a niche.

That's one of the reasons Virginia Remko, executive director of Montessori Academy, started the 12 months-K school on Hull Street more than two decades ago. The academy serves about 135 children from the tri-county area and Auburn.

"Success breeds success and the lessons are at their level," Remko aid. "We don't push students to reach a certain level, but work to lay the foundation for future learning. All the tools are at their disposal for them to learn, but they do it at their own pace."

Neighbors said she believes Montessori has begun to appeal to a greater number of parents over the years, particularly those who don't feel that their children "will fit into a traditional mold."

"There are many parents who think it is ridiculous that their child has a ton of homework in kindergarten. Some are turned off by the fact that their children always seem to be preparing for tests rather than life," Neighbors said.

Melanie Morrison reads to toddlers at Montessori Academy in Montgomery.

"With Montessori, it's OK to fail. But the children still succeed and excel, only without the pressure to meet certain benchmarks," Neighbors said. "The thing I am most impressed about is not academic-related. It's the Montessori child's ability to solve problems and their high level of judgment."

Montessori classes are divided into three main groups: practical life exercises, sensorial materials and academic materials. The materials involve many motions -- walking, carrying, pouring, speaking and constant use of the hands. Montessori Academy teacher Terry Jackson said all the work is guided by a respect for the teacher and a respect for the work of others.

Jackson said teachers observe their students and guide, not force, them from one level of complexity to the next.

Parent Leah Sanchez-Mesina likes that aspect of Montessori. Her two youngest boys, Jacob, 5, and Eric, 3, are students at Montessori Academy.

She started researching the method after she visited the academy during a search for childcare facilities. Sanchez-Mesina says she felt the center would "foster the development of a more well-rounded, organized and confident child" -- qualities she believes are important for her children.

"I've never regretted it," Sanchez-Mesina said. "I feel like the teachers know my child almost as well as I do. That's not something that I have experienced in the past at other childcare facilities."

Like Neighbors, Montessori Academy is Sanchez-Mesina's first experience with Montessori. And like Neighbors, she wasn't sure of what to expect.

"I had some concerns about Jacob when he first got there and I worried about his language and socialization development," Sanchez-Mesina said. "But shortly after he enrolled in Montessori Academy, I saw a big change in him. Everybody who knew him then and now is amazed at how much he has blossomed."

Neighbors agrees...

"The only regret I have about Montessori Academy is that it stops at kindergarten. We all keep trying to convince Dr. Remko to take that plunge," Neighbors said. "If I am blessed with another child, they will definitely go to Montessori."