KMSchool Montessori Adolescent Program

Dr. Maria Montessori recognized that the stage of adolescence, as for all of the previous developmental stages of growth, required a unique educational environment and method of teaching to bring about the greatest potential in the student. She observed that infants, up until around the age of 6, are working primarily on developing their individual sense of self, and all of the skills for independent living that go along with that. The 6 to 12 year old is developing their social selves – demonstrated by their great love for collaboration and social interaction. The 12-18 is working on the integration of the individual self within the social context – in essence, preparing for life as an adult in society. This investigation is coupled with the tremendous physical and emotional shift that occur during this time.

In order to best support their development, opportunities to engage in social life, and to participate in ‘real work’ that has real consequences and impacts on their environment is essential. As Dr. Montessori said:

“It has been our experience that if the child and adolescent do not have a chance to engage in social life, they do not develop a sense of discipline and morality…the human personality is shaped by continuous experiences; it is up to us to create for children, for adolescents, for young people, an environment, a world that will readily permit such formative experiences.”

– Dr. Maria Montessori, Education and Peace, p. 28

At KMSchool, we provide adolescents with the opportunity to develop concrete skills that they can take with them into their adult lives – such as conflict resolution skills, budgeting and finance, and practical life skills (food preservation, gardening, time management, research, time management, communication skills and presentation skills), in addition to a rigorous adademic program. As much as possible, we explore all topics within a practical context that demonstrates their real-world application. We might do math in the garden, develop poetry about the perils and triumphs of scientific development, and act out the lives of historical figures. By giving adolescents the opportunity to use their “head, hands, and heart” in this way, they are more likely to be engaged, to retain what they’ve learned, and to develop a larger view of the world in which they live, and the important contribution which they can make.

“A great work must be undertaken. An extremely important social task lies before us: actuating man’s value, allowing him to attain the maximum development of his energies, truly preparing him to bring about a different form of human society on a higher plane.”

– Dr. Maria Montessori, Education and Peace, p. xiii

In today’s world the entire humanity is struggling with circumstances like never before. The pandemic, political instability around the world, curb of human rights by regimes, the looming fears of wars, the ongoing conflicts and unrests, the corporate hegemony, the erosion of social and cultural fabric, technological complexities and cyber-crime, have created a challenge that humanity must confront with a new thinking. We at KMSchool are trying to raise creative young minds that are capable of logical and rational thinking to be able to make right decisions for themselves and for the society.