There is so much information — and misinformation — out there about Montessori education. It can be hard to know what is true about Montessori schools and what are rumors. We want to hone in on the common misconceptions and debunk these misunderstandings about our school pedagogy.

Misconception: “Children in Montessori are forced to do chores.”

Reality: In her years working with children, Dr. Montessori noticed that children developed a sense of peace and happiness when engaged in purposeful work. This is why practical life activities form a large part of early childhood in Montessori. Practical life refers to important jobs that one would do around the house or to take care of themselves.

We don’t force students to clean, wash or organize; however, children are drawn to emulating the real work they see adults taking part in, and they want to contribute to making their environments beautiful. Young children take immense pride from participating in cleaning and maintaining their classrooms. This builds confidence, independence, empathy and contributes to the development of fine and gross motor skills.

Misconception: “Montessori is only for special learners — the gifted or neurodivergent.”

Reality: Montessori schools are beneficial to a wide range of learners because it’s intended to reach all types of people, including visual, auditory and kinesthetic learners. One of the true benefits of the Montessori philosophy is that the curriculum is tailored to the individual child. When working with small groups, Montessori educators are able to identify each learner’s particular strengths and challenges. As a result, we’ve seen success with all types of learning styles at CMS, from self-learners to children with learning differences.

Misconception: “Montessori is religiously affiliated.”

Reality: Montessori is not a religion, nor is it inherently religiously oriented. While Dr. Montessori herself was Catholic, families of all religions are welcome in a Montessori setting, as diversity is encouraged for student enrichment and growth. It was Dr. Montessori’s Catholic values that ignited her heart toward those who were typically neglected or forgotten in society, and the result is an educational system that values children’s developmental needs, rather than a system based on adults’ beliefs on how children should learn.

At CMS, students are exposed to Christian, Muslim, Jewish, and other religious cultures in a variety of ways. Our purpose is not for students to memorize other cultures’ beliefs, but rather give them an appreciation for all the beauty that comes with our collective diversity. Parents, grandparents and other relatives/caregivers are invited to present about their family’s traditions on a regular basis. We’ve had presentations celebrating Lunar New Year, Hanukkah, Yom Kippur, St. Nicholas Day, Diwali, Ramadan and more!

Misconception: “Montessori students are unprepared for ‘real school’”

Reality: Montessori education prepares students academically, socially and emotionally for any high school experience and beyond. When it’s time for students to leave CMS for their next chapter, they enter the world as independent thinkers with strong social skills, attention and an innate love of learning!

While transitioning to a traditional school will undoubtedly be different for a child used to the routines in a Montessori environment, we hear from secondary schools our alums attend that students from CMS are eager to learn new things, comfortable asking adults for help, and they take ownership of their education. Over 90% of the students who attend CMS through the Upper Elementary program are admitted to their first-choice secondary school. 

All in all, the Montessori approach is quite complex and appears very different from the education that most people experienced, making sense why there is some confusion about the specifics of Montessori. 

It’s also important to know that any school can claim itself as a Montessori school, even without any accreditation. It’s important to learn whether the school is “Montessori inspired” or truly Montessori at its best.

CMS is recognized by Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) and is fully accredited by Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS). All of the teachers at CMS have undergone a rigorous academic year of training beyond their undergraduate degree, and we undergo a yearly accreditation process by AMI to ensure the highest standard in Montessori education.

Ultimately, Montessori was scientifically developed to meet the needs of the individual child. The purpose of Montessori learning is to teach, shape citizens of the world and create confident and capable individuals. We believe that a Montessori education with CMS is the best investment you can make for your child’s future.

Schedule a tour or time to observe in a classroom to see for yourself. We'd love to discuss how Montessori at CMS can benefit your child and entire family!