Marin Montessori School - Grounded and Soaring

Grounded
& Soaring

At Marin Montessori School,
we know that potential is
unleashed when students
learn to motivate from within.

Every day, we empower students with the time and space to
learn by doing, dig deep, tackle real challenges, and ignite
their passions.
Because when students take ownership of their learning,
they develop the skills to confidently navigate a grounded,
successful path through academics and life.





We Know Children Independence inspires
are Capable confidence. Our students
learn in real-world
Students’ truest potential is realized when they are trusted environments, because real
and empowered to take responsibility for their learning. work solving real problems
teaches essential life skills
A highly trained scientist and three-time Nobel Peace and fosters enduring
Prize nominee, Dr. Maria Montessori studied children and confidence. For example,
their development more extensively than anyone ever had our Toddler and Primary
before. She recognized that children are innately driven and students assist in preparing
curious. Using the methodology Dr. Montessori developed over their own food, while our
decades, our teachers are expertly trained to harness children’s Junior High students grow
inherent drive. As a result, our students flourish—academically, and sell produce on our
socially, and emotionally. working farm.

The Power of
Multi-Age Learning

When students engage with peers of varying ages and
stages of development, they gain empathy for their younger
classmates and aspirations for more advanced learning.

At Marin Montessori School, older children internalize
understanding through teaching and modeling, while
younger students aren’t intimidated by those with more
experience or knowledge than them—they’re inspired
to go beyond expectations. We build classrooms with
a mixed age group of students who stay together for three
years, because a strong, diverse community of learners
supports an individualized path through the curriculum
and raises the bar for everyone who is part of it.

We foster an environment
of mutual success where no
child feels diminished by the
accomplishments of others.
Our multi-age classrooms
are supportive laboratories
for sharing, collaboration,
and peer mentoring.

Motivate from Within

When students have agency in their learning, not only
do they satisfy their natural curiosity, but they also learn
problem solving, cooperation, and collaboration. We believe
in empowering students with choice. Choice—both in the
classroom and outside of it—is a foundational underpinning
of a Marin Montessori School education. It is reflected
in our students’ unique experiences every single day.

IN PURSUIT OF MASTERY PERSONAL
ODYSSEY
As students learn to master subjects, they are empowered to choose PROJECTS
effective ways to deepen and demonstrate their learning. In math,
one elementary student might choose to create a board game to show Each of our Junior High
proficiency in measuring angles, and another might paint a representative students is different, and so are
picture. Students are guided to mastery through practice, learning from the subjects that motivate them.
mistakes, and iterating—essential skills in school and in life. Every semester, students choose
a passion project to research
and present to their teachers and
classmates. Some examples include
a model of a particle accelerator,
a climate crisis action plan, and
a regenerative aquaponic system.





Deep & Focused NURTURING FOCUS
Learning
By design, our early education
We live in an increasingly distracted world where the ability environments protect our
to focus is diminishing. Yet current brain research shows students’ concentration. This
that a flow state—the highest state of concentration—is a age group thrives through routine,
skill that requires development and is best fostered in an predictability, and calm—core
environment with limited interruptions.* features of our Toddler and
Primary classrooms.
At Marin Montessori School, our teachers dedicate three-hour
blocks of time every day for students to spend on purposeful, BIG WORK
self-directed work, whether in the classroom or outdoors in
our nature-rich learning environments. This means that our We believe in the power
students have the benefit of time and space to go deep in of big work to cultivate
their learning, and as a result their curiosity flourishes. the satisfaction that comes
from engaged learning.
* A recent study noted that Montessori students reach the flow state of concentration more often than students in any “Big work” is collaborative,
other educational model. Rathunde, K., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2005). Middle school students’ motivation and quality of interdisciplinary, and
experience: A comparison of Montessori and traditional school environments. American Journal of Education, 111(3), 341. in-depth. Connecting
botany, art, and language
after learning about
photosynthesis, for
example, a group of
students constructed a
physical model of a “leaf
factory” that accurately
depicted the inside of a leaf.

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

Students take responsibility for
choosing and planning educational
outings beyond the campus. When
students take ownership of the
process—arranging transportation,
contacting organizations, making
appointments—the lessons learned
aren’t confined to the outing itself,
but are instilled throughout the
entire experience.

Future Ready

In our high-pressure world, success is often measured
by a narrow set of standard metrics. It’s easy to forget
what really matters. While our students have outstanding
acceptance rates and success in high school and college,
at Marin Montessori School, we know that the ultimate
value of an education is the development of confident
and grounded young adults equipped with the skills
necessary for a successful and meaningful life.

Our academically rigorous and joyful program is based on
scientifically proven best practices in teaching and learning.
And, in an innovative and ever-changing world where most
careers haven’t even been invented yet,* our students are
well prepared as confident problem solvers, equipped to
think creatively and dive headfirst into any challenge the
future might bring. By the end of Junior High, our graduates
enter young adulthood self-aware and self-assured. They
are clear in their values, aspirations, and purpose.

* Department of Labor, 2014



Children confidently brim with new ideas about challenges
to tackle, having learned that failure is acceptable, and
mistakes are merely learning opportunities.”

—How a Montessori Mindset Can Transform Your Business
Forbes (12/16/15)

The Montessori Edge

We believe so strongly in the scientifically-proven
Montessori educational system that we hold ourselves
to the most rigorous standards within Montessori education.
Maria Montessori founded the Association Montessori
Internationale (AMI) in 1929, and since then AMI has
remained the worldwide authority on Montessori education
and practice. Marin Montessori School is proud to be one
of the prestigious few AMI-recognized Montessori schools
in Northern California.

The world is a really interesting place, and one that
should be explored. Can there be any better foundation
for an innovator in training?”

—Montessori Builds Innovators
Harvard Business Review (7/25/11)

A 2006 study published in the journal Science compared…
children who attended Montessori schools versus children
who attended a variety of other preschools. By the end
of kindergarten, among 5-year-olds, Montessori students
proved to be significantly better prepared for elementary
school in reading and math skills than the non-Montessori
children. They also tested better on executive function, the
ability to adapt to changing and more complex problems,
an indicator of future school and life success.”

—The Montessori Mafia
Wall Street Journal (4/25/11)

Created by Mission Minded. Join us! Learn more at
marinmontessori.org or reach out to:
[email protected]
(415) 924-5388 x104

Recognized Member Provisional Member Toddler–Grade 6:
5200 Paradise Drive
Corte Madera, CA 94925

Junior High:
One Saint Vincent Drive
San Rafael, CA 94903

(415) 924-5388