Free State Montessori

Preschool in Fork, MD 21051

At FSMS we are committed to the educational process, and the discovery of self within the context of community. We seek to teach a more peaceable way by creating a whole school community. In partnership with parents, we seek to assist children in the process of becoming the next generation of leaders who are well-educated, self-actualized individuals committed and capable of contributing to the betterment of the world. As co-learners in this process, we honor the inestimable worth and universal right of every child to discover their own personal excellence in every facet of their lives, among loving and mutually respectful relationships. We recognize the natural tendencies of children and believe that every child is gifted with an innate love of learning, which can be nurtured and sustained for a lifetime through positive, challenging expectations, self-reflection, and purposeful engagement in the world. Our mission is to create the conditions, which allow for such a process to unfold.


Child Ages:
1.5 years - 14 years
Licenses & Accreditations:
Maryland State Department of Education Division of Early Childhood Development
Special Needs:
Children with mild to moderate learning differences, specific learning or reading disabilities, and attention deficient disorder may become part of our special needs program. As a valued member of the classroom community children with special needs can still make important contributions to the whole group while working to meet their own specific academic needs.
Preschool:
Yes
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM

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The primary purpose of the FSMS is educational, based on the principles, techniques, and philosophy advocated by Dr. Maria Montessori, using a constructivist, collaborative, developmental, and experiential approach to the whole child as noted by Jean Piaget and other researchers such as Alfred Adler, John Dewey, Howard Gardner, Daniel Goleman, M. Scott Peck, Brian Swimme and Riane Eisler. These educational philosophies are also matched in Quaker principles and values that lead us to acknowledge the inestimable value of each human being, consensus decision making, non-violent conflict management, inner reflection, integrity, simplicity and social responsibility.

These principals and beliefs lead us to:

  • Authentic Montessori Philosophy : We authentically implement the teaching principles, techniques and central philosophy advocated by the late Dr. Maria Montessori. We will promote the understanding and education of Montessori philosophy and methodology to the general public.
  • Incorporation of Current Educational Theory and Practice : We work to incorporate current research and appropriate findings into the educational practice of the Montessori approach to education.
  • Educating the Whole Child : We strive to aid the child in the development of the whole self-which encompasses the physical, emotional, social, intellectual, psychological, and spiritual aspects of the individual.
  • Understanding and Embracing Differences and Diversity : We will encourage and develop in each child a positive and loving attitude toward self, the world, and others by respecting each child as a unique individual with awareness and acceptance of their particular gifts, abilities, and limitations. We strive toward the development of a diverse school community, rich in cultural, economic, and intellectual diversity.
  • Respect and Concern for all of Humankind : We aim to promote character and universal values which include a genuine love and respect for all humankind, a true love of learning, kindness and compassion, tolerance, understanding of differences, integrity; personal excellence in all things, and social responsibility towards others.
  • Co-learning Process : We recognize that the learning process belongs to each child and therefore we cannot own his work. We strive to facilitate the learning process as co-learners so that children can become self-aware, self-disciplined, confident, competent, independent and self-motivated individuals capable of assuming lifelong responsibility for their own learning and for being happy, self- actualized, responsible, and contributing adults.
  • Holistic Developmental Approach : We nurture the spiritual development of each child by providing opportunities for experiencing both outward and inward challenges and the time for self-reflection and honest self-evaluation.
  • Individualized Approach : We address the differing temperaments, learning styles, and needs of each child by providing an individualized approach and a wealth of opportunity for individual exploration in all areas and in many different manners.
  • Whole School Community : We seek to create a true school community and specific classroom communities by recognizing and promoting the partnership between families and faculty. We strive to actively and continually develop open and effective lines of communication between home and school, and provide opportunities for parent education and faculty development.
  • Environmental and Experiential Learning : We promote and teach the respect and care of the environment, recognizing our place in it, our connection to all things, and our responsibility for stewardship by promoting simple living and providing outdoor educational opportunities using an experiential model.
  • Social Responsibility : We recognize our responsibility as world citizens by providing service and care to our neighboring and worldwide communities through outreach and service projects that offer help and support to those in need.

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