About Our School
Founded in 1988, the Circle of Friends Montessori School
is a non-profit learning and care center which employs the philosophy and
theories of Dr. Maria Montessori, and offers an authentic Montessori
education for children from 12 months through kindergarten.
At
Circle of Friends, teachers have been trained to provide an environment
conducive to learning which takes advantage of the child's natural tendencies by
providing structured activities that can be freely explored as the child is
ready and interested. The physical environment is arranged to be child-sized,
with activities designed to be used with minimum adult intervention. The social
environment is structured by ground rules which encourage children to be
respectful of each other, their work, and the equipment. The spiritual
environment is one which celebrates the love of learning and the unique talents
of each child. Dr. Montessori observed what we as parents also observe, a
child's urge to `do it myself.` We encourage this and also encourage children to
help one another, as the feelings of competence they gain make self-esteem
blossom.
To view an interactive
2004 Parent Handbook, click here.
About
the Montessori Method
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The Montessori Method was developed in 1907 by Dr. Maria Montessori after
observations of how children approached learning at her school in Italy. The
method recognized that children learn by discovery, and that learning is
spontaneous. Dr. Montessori believed that a child is best educated by creating
an environment in which he/she is motivated to cultivate his/her own natural
desire to learn. She developed a series of materials and guidelines to develop learning activities and environments based on her observations of
these learning patterns of children.
For more information about the Montessori
method, visit the American Montessori Society.
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Future Plans
- Continuation
of teacher-intern scholarship program
- Full-day
toddler program for ages 12 months - 3 years (currently MTWF only)
Our Location
Circle of Friends Montessori School is currently located in the
building behind the Estes Park Aquatic Center. Our mountain setting is peaceful
and idyllic, fostering an important link between the children and our natural
surroundings.
Contact Information
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Kay Lawson, Director
Circle of Friends Montessori School
P.O. Box 1346
Estes Park, CO 80517
Tel: 970-586-3341 ext. 1137
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Last Update: January
16, 2006
The Circle of Friends
Montessori School admits students of any race, color and national or ethnic
origin to all privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made
available to its students, and does not discriminate on the basis of race in
administration of its educational or admissions policies, scholarship programs,
etc.
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