Our Philosophy

Montessorium's origin story, from a creator of Montessori apps to a Montessori think tank.

Education is done with a view to the good life. Drawing from Montessori, we offer five lanterns, five constant and guiding values, for understanding what constitutes a good human life: knowledge, work, agency, and trade, all adding up to a life fully lived.

Knowledge and work—thought and action—are the two fundamental manifestations of human agency. An education that supports agency does so by embodying a culture of knowledge and a culture of work.

Everyone learns, constantly, over the course of their lives. What Montessori does is multiply the value of this learning. Done right, school isn't a substitute for life experience, it's a multiplier on it.

Harvest celebrations, such as America’s Thanksgiving are often linked to appreciation. In the home, it’s a time to appreciate our families, loved ones, and the meals we make and enjoy together. Montessori didn’t say anything about harvest traditions, but she said a lot about giving thanks in the classroom.

A humanistic approach to identity: creating meaning in work, finding belonging in our common nature, and conceptualizing oneself over time.

One of the strongest and most persistent arguments for compulsory public schools has always been that they foster cultural and civic unity...But, looking around at the US today, it seems that in fact, they accomplish the opposite. Public schools are a major, maybe the major force for division in US society.