Classroom Placement
Montessori staff determine placement for children depending upon:
- The welfare of the child i.e. the ability to have the needed experience for the child’s developmental needs to be met
- Maintaining the Montessori principle of multi-year placement with peers and teacher for a developmental cycle
- Developing balanced classroom composition related to gender, age, developmental maturity, special needs and personality
- Results of child’s visits to classrooms, interview with the Head of School, teacher observations and parent preference
Once an appropriate placement is determined, a change is made only if staff feels that the student’s development merits the change. Multiage groupings are at the heart of the Montessori Method, and any change diminishes the benefit of being in the same environment for a developmental cycle.