Welcome to Montessori Family School. Founded in 1981, we are an authentic Montessori school serving children 3-years old through through 8th grade. Our experienced, Montessori-trained teachers work to develop every child’s potential for academic excellence.

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More than 100 years ago, at the beginning of the 20th century, Maria Montessori was one of the first educators to promote an inquiry approach to education that emphasized “learning by doing.” She developed dozens of innovative learning materials that are still being used today in thousands of schools throughout the world.

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The Montessori teaching method adapts itself to the individual learning style of each student. It starts with the “hands-on” exploration of concrete materials and encourages critical thinking and conceptual understanding. At MFS, students are given the opportunity to work at an individual pace and pursue personal interests and, at the same time, collaborate with, learn from, and teach others. Students have a high degree of independence and responsibility, and our classrooms are carefully designed to support their intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development.

 

Students learn reading, writing, and mathematics while focusing on understanding the process of discovery. They develop critical thinking skills by actively conceptualizing, analyzing and evaluating information through observation, experience, reflection, reasoning and communication.

Her goal of “education for peace” is what made Maria Montessori unique among educators. At MFS we embrace this goal. MFS has a warm “family feel” that is an inherent and vital part of our culture. We value a community that is dynamic, vibrant, and diverse. MFS students learn cooperation, problem solving, and conflict resolution not because teachers tell them to, but because they understand that they are part of larger, diverse society in which these skills are critical for success. We nurture and value each child’s innate desire to contribute to the classroom and the community.

 

At MFS, we are proud of our alumni, who have been highly successful in both private and public high schools throughout the Bay Area. Many are currently enrolled in, or have graduated from, colleges on both the east and west coasts, including Ivy League colleges and the University of California system.

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Please take time to explore and learn about what makes MFS and our Montessori approach distinctive. Hopefully, the glimpses of MFS you get from our website will offer you a window into our world and inspire you to join us for a tour of our school. I promise you, there is nothing like seeing our school in action!