Montessori School of Lemont
About Usin 1972 by a small group of teachers dedicated to offering a Montessori education for students from families committed
to this method of education.
MONTESSORI
Innovation not Standardization
In the Spring of 2010, a new building was completed to house our Elementary students. Funds are currently being raised to continue to improve and grow our campus.
It is the mission of the Montessori School of Lemont to provide for the physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual education of children ages 3-15 years following the methods and philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori.
MONTESSORI
Mission Statement
MONTESSORI
Philosophy
OUR
Faculty & Staff
The Teacher
The Montessori teacher functions as a role model, demonstrator, record keeper, and meticulous observer of each child’s behavior and growth. Like her students, she is an active and curious learner. A delight in continual inquiry and growth and a respect for each child’s unique learning styles and interests are among her key qualities.
It is the Montessori teacher who prepares the active, developmentally appropriate learning environment, furnished with specially designed materials, where students explore, discover, and experience the joy of learning.
Teacher education programs (TEPs) affiliated with the American Montessori Society [and the Association Montessori Internationale or AMI] provide comprehensive courses of study that prepare the adult learners of today to be the highly skilled, highly qualified Montessori teachers and leaders of tomorrow.
To be eligible for AMS affiliation, a TEP must be accredited by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education, the premier, international standard-setting and accrediting organization for Montessori teacher education. While each is unique and has its own academic schedule and tuition, all are rigorously designed with the goal of ensuring that you will receive an education consistent with standards for entry into practice at your chosen level. In addition, all include both an academic component and a practicum component (internship).
Montessori Credentials
AMS issues Montessori credentials to successful graduates of AMS-affiliated TEPs who hold a BA or BS degree (or higher). An associate credential for Infant & Toddler and Early Childhood levels is awarded to those who have completed high school but do not hold a college degree.
The following credentials are awarded after graduation from an AMS-affiliated TEP:
Infant & Toddler (birth – age 3)
Early Childhood (ages 2 1/2 – 6)
Elementary I (ages 6 – 9)
Elementary II (ages 9 – 12)
Elementary I – II (ages 6 – 12)
Secondary I (ages 12 – 15)
Secondary I – II (ages 12 – 18)
Administrator
Source: Montessori Teachers and Credentials, American Montessori Society
OUR
Strategic Plan | 2025- 2030
After thoughtful collaboration and reflection, we’re proud to unveil Montessori School of Lemont’s new five-year Strategic Plan. This plan is the result of a community-wide effort that brought together the voices of our staff, board of directors, parents, and adolescent students through a series of planning exercises, surveys, and facilitated meetings.
From classroom discussions to visioning activities, each group contributed unique insights to help define what matters most to our school community. Staff worked together to identify academic priorities and curricular goals. The board focused on long-term sustainability and mission alignment. Parents shared feedback and aspirations for their children’s experience, and our adolescent students offered meaningful input on community, environment, and student life.
Together, this collaborative process led to four strategic focus areas rooted in our Montessori values: Curriculum, Community, Conservation, and Capital. Each goal reflects a shared commitment to preserving the core of our Montessori identity while preparing for a vibrant and resilient future.
We’re excited to share this roadmap and invite every member of our community to be a part of bringing it to life. Thank you for helping shape the future of MSOL.
Curriculum highlights our commitment to academic excellence and continuous improvement across all levels, ensuring that our students thrive in a prepared environment that fosters independence and intellectual curiosity.
Community focuses on strengthening relationships with families, alumni, and the broader Lemont community to build a more connected, engaged, and inclusive school culture.
Conservation reflects our deep respect for the natural world and our responsibility to care for our beautiful campus. This includes expanding outdoor learning and modeling sustainable practices.
Capital addresses the long-term health of our facilities and financial stability so we can serve future generations with the same passion and purpose.
Free the child’s potential, and you will transform him into the world
Maria Montessori
The greatest sign of success for a teacher is to be able to say, “The children are now working as if I did not exist.”
The first woman in Italy to graduate in medicine from the University of Rome, Montessori worked with children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, then served in a variety of university teaching positions. In 1907, based on her research in philosophy, child development and education, she opened the Casa dei Bambini, teaching children of normal intelligence using her methods. She spent most of her remaining life writing, lecturing and teaching about her methods.
The Montessori method assumes that children learn best by interacting with concrete materials and by being respected as individuals. The teacher’s role is primarily in organizing materials and establishing a general classroom culture. Most activities are individual, though the children interact in groups in some activities.