Bristow Montessori Delivers True Montessori Experience

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Image of Bristow Montessori School by Kim Soper. Image of Bristow Montessori School by Kim Soper.

Bristow Montessori School has delivered a true Montessori education to its students for the past five years.

While other early childhood schools have realized the advantage of Montessori and have attempted to incorporatee the educational philosophy into their schools’ curriculum, Bristow Montessori offers the complete Montessori experience.

“Authenticity and quality of service is our mission and our mantra here; we take it very seriously that we were the first Montessori in the area, and the only Montessori school to offer infant, toddler and primary education in Prince William County,” Founder Sameer Patel said. “In an environment where there are many childcare options, we want people to know that we are Montessori through and through, and if you want Montessori, we want to be the school of choice in the area.”

In a Montessori setting, children communicate to their teacher their interests and the teacher responds by guiding them through a process of natural learning.

“In Montessori we follow the child, and each child’s natural curiosity,” Patel said. “In that way, Montessori teachers are observers and truly get to know each child in the classroom, and what makes her tick.”

BMS teachers use these interests to develop curriculum that naturally engages students.

“You’re using the content of what they are interested in to help learning objectives that they otherwise might not be interested in,” Patel said. “For example a child may find it interesting to sort dinosaurs, count dinosaurs, practice the letters in the name of a dinosaur, etc.”

Newly appointed head of school Anita Ercole described the essential foundations of a Montessori education as including mixed-age groups; Montessori certified teachers; uninterrupted work times; and classrooms fully equipped with Montessori materials.

“Those are the pillars of Montessori education. In addition to that, the process has to be monitored by an experienced director. We are proud members of the American Montessori Society and focus on maintaining standards that reflect those requirements,” Ercole said.

Ercole described the Montessori curriculum as including life skills, sensorial exercises, language arts, mathematics and cultural studies such as geography, history and science.

“We’re striving to be the best at what we do, which is Montessori, and to offer the richest, fullest Montessori experience,” Patel said.

This year, BMS is surveying parents about new initiatives to make things easier for its parents, including a teacher-monitored kiss-and-ride drop off/pick up and catered lunch.

The school also now offers date-night baby-sitting, and play dates, run by teachers, which Patel believes will not only be convenient for parents, but it will provide students opportunities to interact with their friends after school.

Finally, Bristow Montessori is looking for opportunities to reach out to the wider community. Patel believes that western Prince William is a terrific community that has been very welcoming to them, and they have been happy to serve.

Those looking for more information or to schedule a tour of Bristow Montessori can call 703-468-1191, or visit their website, bristowmontessori.com.

Bristow Montessori is located on Devlin Road in Bristow Commons.

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