SCHOOL PARTNER PROGRAMEmpowering Montessori Schools to Connect Montessori Philosophy to Sports and PE
Montessori Sports was founded in response to a clear lack of love for the childin youth sports, where short-term performance too often takes precedenceover long-term child development. We saw the need to redesign sportsenvironments with intention, purpose, and respect for the developing individual.All three co-founders came to Montessori through sport. Across different roles;as leaders, coaches, and athletes. And across multiple sports. We have workedwith coaches and young people at every level, from grassroots participation toelite performance environments. These experiences gave us a rare, holisticperspective on how sports systems shape children and adolescents over time.Through this work, we experienced firsthand how thoughtfully prepared sportsenvironments can support whole-child development. This led us to formallystudy and work within Montessori education, engaging with AMI-aligned training,Montessori schools, and educators internationally.About usRUBEN JONGKIND | FOUNDERPATRICK OUDEJANS | FOUNDERJIP BARTELS | FOUNDER
Our mission is to connect Montessorito the world by transforming howsports and physical education are experienced by children.Guided by the belief that sport is the most powerful learning environment for children, our workis dedicated to creating sports and physical education programs grounded in Montessoriprinciples. These programs are adaptable across sports, school settings, and globalcommunities, nurturing a lifelong love for movement in every child.The Montessori Sports School Program exists to form partnerships between usand Montessori schools. Together, we transform sports and physical education environments toserve each school, its community, and every child, contributing to a healthier humanity throughchild-centred sports and education.Our core mission
The School ProgramThe Montessori Sports School Program is a long-term partnership with Montessori schools to transform how sportand physical education are experienced by children. The program begins with onboarding, which includes an intakewith school leadership and the training of staff to build a shared understanding and foundation. This is followed byongoing mentoring, supporting the school as sports and physical education become a meaningful part of the schoolculture.The approach is fully customized to each school’s pace, ensuring sustainable development without creatingadditional burden. Through this school-wide approach, leadership, guides, staff, and parents are naturally involved.Over time, trained staff can host workshops and eventually provide training for educators and coaches in their widercommunity, empowering schools to become advocates for child-centred sports and physical education.
Who is it for?The Montessori Sports School Program is designed for any Montessori community, regardless of its starting point orphysical constraints. We believe every child deserves a prepared environment for sports and physical education.Schools of All Sizes and EnvironmentsWhether you are a small, intimate school or a large institution, and whether you operate as a public or private entity,our program is built to scale. We adapt to your specific community and the facilities available, whether you have alarge outdoor field, a modest indoor hall, or very limited physical space.Integrating Sports/PE at Any StageWe partner with schools that already have formal PE programs to refine and align them with Montessori philosophy,as well as schools with no current infrastructure that are looking to build a purposeful movement environments fromscratch.Meeting YouWhere You AreOur approach is fully customized to each school's unique pace, practical conditions, and available resources. We donot impose a \"one-size-fits-all\" model; instead, we meet your leadership and staff where they are to ensuresustainable, long-term growth without creating an additional burden.
Step 1: Onboarding (3-6 months) Step 2: Mentoring (ongoing)
Step 1. Onboarding (3-6 months)a. Leadership IntakeSchool leadership takes part in an intake process to align goals, expectations, and practical conditions forimplementation.b. Staff TrainingSelected staff members complete the 40-hour Montessori SportsFundamentals course (online or blended). The training provides ashared pedagogical foundation, practical tools, and confidence tointegrate purposeful movement into the school environment.c. Parent / Community TalkThis session builds a shared vision by grounding sports in Montessoriprinciples. It ensures families understand and support the school'scommitment to creating a prepared environment for movement.
Step 1: Onboarding (3-6 months) Step 2: Mentoring (ongoing)
Step 2. Mentoring (ongoing)After onboarding, schools receive continuous, relationship-based mentoring.This includes:Monthly educational calls with staff from partner schools worldwide, on topics such as:sharing best practices across all planes of development,developing school-specific sport plans,designing prepared sports environments.1x Annual program evaluation with leadership (online or in-person).24/7 remote support from Montessori Sports trainers.Continued access to the Montessori Sports Fundamentals courseAccess to the Montessori Sports APP for all staff (library and community)Access to Exclusive Professional Development with the Montessori Sports team (consultations, visits,environment design, etc.)This is not a one-off training, but sustained support over time.
Read our schoolstories here:”I have witnessed a significant shiftin how the children respond andengage in what I prepare“Kelly Jarrell, Sports CoordinatorAustin Montessori School
A global school communityPartner schools are officially recognized as Montessori Sports Schools.Community benefits include:Access to a global network of Montessori Sports schoolsOfficial Montessori Sports school signUse of logos and digital marketing materialsHost workshops and courses with Montessori SportsOur impact so far:Over 30 partner schools actively participating in the School ProgramSchools from 17 different countries, across all continentsMore than 2,000 educators trained through the Montessori Sports courseThe School Program is valued by partner schools with an average score of 8.4 out of 10Exclusive discounts for theschool community:1 free ticket for the Summit50% on additionalregistrations for theSummit20% on courses10% on InternationalCamps (for families)10% discount onMontessori Sportsmaterials by Nienhuis
Educational impact for your schoolEnriched curriculumSports and Physical Education become a meaningful part of the school culture across all planes of development.Through enriched gross motor experiences, children build resilience and a joy in movement. Sports is connected toCosmic Education, helping children experience themselves as part of a larger, interconnected world throughcooperation, responsibility, and purposeful action.Increased value forfamiliesBeing an official Montessori Sports School signals quality and a strong commitment to whole-child development,strengthening trust and attractiveness.Higherfamily and staffretentionA clear, Montessori-aligned approach to Sports and Physical Education supports teacher wellbeing and addresses acommon reason families leave for other schools: access to organized, high-quality sport. This shared visionstrengthens community and long-term commitment.Beyond training and community,the School Program strengthens the school itself.
Investment examples*Start with one staff memberA school may begin by training onemotivated staff member whoexplores the Montessori Sportsapproach and starts reflecting onhow child-centred sports andphysical education can gradually beintroduced within the school.Participants: 1Course fee: $597Onboarding fee: $550School Program: $550 annualTotal investment: $1,697Train a core teamA school may train a small core teamof staff who can work together tobegin integrating sports and physicaleducation into the school culture andsupport each other inimplementation.Participants: 4Course fee: 4 × $597 = $2,388Onboarding fee: $550School Program: $550 annualTotal investment: $3,488Build strong internal capacityA school may train a larger group ofstaff and/or community members todevelop a shared understanding andembed Montessori Sports principlesacross classrooms and age groups.Participants: 12Course fee: 12 × $597 = $7,164Onboarding fee: $550School Program: $550 annualTotal investment: $8,264*These examples illustrate possible starting points and can be customized to the needs and pace of each school.
Start with a free School Quick ScanEvery school is different. That’s why we begin with a free School Quick Scan for school leaders.In 10–15 minutes, the scan helps you reflect on how movement and sport currently live in your school and whereMontessori principles can be strengthened.After completing the scan, you can schedule a no-obligation conversation with a Montessori Sports trainer toexplore next steps.Start with reflection, not commitment.www.montessori-sports.com/quick-scan