Butler School is a Montessori school which embodies the educational principles established by Dr. Maria
Montessori through her scientific observation of how children develop and learn.
The Montessori approach offers education as an "aid to life," assisting children
in constructing themselves as they develop from three year-olds to mature
adolescents through a series of developmental stages. The Montessori classroom
and curriculum are designed to meet the specific needs of each developmental
stage. Organized in mixed age groupings, students are provided the opportunity
to engage in purposeful and meaningful activities under the direction of an
Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) trained adult.
All children have an inherent love of learning and joy in discovery. These innate tendencies are given direction by the hands-on materials and the teacher so that children develop knowledge, concentration, motivation, persistence and discipline. All work is done at the pace of the individual child.
Respect is the basis for all behavior in a Montessori classroom. Respect for the child, the adult, one’s self, and the physical environment permeate all that is important in formal and informal lessons and interactions. The mixed age groupings of each classroom allow for both individual and social development. The community of the classroom provides a safe and secure place for children to develop self-esteem and confidence, while they learn to be responsible and caring members of a society. The Montessori curriculum ties separate disciplines together into studies of the physical universe, the world of nature and the human experience. Literature, the arts, history, social issues, mathematics and science are all components of the Montessori curriculum. The curriculum is entirely open-ended, with limitless possibilities of study.
Primary According to Maria Montessori, children from birth to age six or seven are in the "first plane of development". At this stage of development, children have what Dr. Montessori called an "absorbent mind", the ability to literally absorb like a sponge, all kinds of information about their environment and culture. The most amazing example of this is all children’s ability to learn a very complex language!
The Primary classroom is composed of four basic areas: practical life, sensorial materials, language development and mathematics. Practical life activities provide experience in activities of daily life, such as buttoning, tying laces, washing dishes, and exercises in grace and courtesy. Sensorial materials help children learn to order and classify by touching, seeing, smelling, tasting, listening and exploring the physical aspects of their environment. Language development occurs through use of oral language opportunities and a multi-sensorial phonics approach to reading and writing. Geography, biology, botany, zoology, art and music are provided as extensions of the sensorial and language activities. Mathematics is taught by use of concrete materials with the goal of preparation for problem-solving and abstract reasoning.
The Primary classroom has furniture and equipment that fit the size of the child, enabling children to be self-sufficient in as many tasks as possible and reflecting the inherent respect for the child that is the basic tenet of Montessori philosophy. The Primary age child’s need for external order is reflected in the highly organized nature of the environment.
The Elementary age child, from ages 6 - 12, has lost much of the capacity to merely absorb information, and is now characterized by the "reasoning mind". The child of this age wants to know why things are as they are and how things work. There is a strong desire to understand the relationships between things. This is also a highly social child who needs to be with friends, actively exploring not just the classroom, but beyond!
In response to these characteristics, lessons are given to small groups of children with the purpose of sparking the child’s imagination and sense of wonder, helping them understand the universe around them and their place in the world. Students study core curriculum subjects of geography, biology, history, language, mathematics, geometry, and receive enrichment in foreign language, art, music, outdoor education, and physical development. Students develop competency, discipline and self-confidence as they explore and investigate each subject area, both inside and outside on campus, and with day and overnight outings into the community and surrounding areas.
In keeping with the Montessori traditions of student-led experiential education, "Going Out," offers meaningful off-campus experiences for our youngsters. The classroom teacher oversees the students as they plan and implement "Going Out,". These trips are intended to be student driven and offer an opportunity to go out into the community to enrich and complement current studies. We are fortunate to live in an area with a myriad of resources and museums for our students to enjoy extending their studies
The 22-acre campus and adjoining Seneca Creek State Park provide an outdoor laboratory for Elementary students, where all subjects come alive. A greenhouse and organic gardening program provide the opportunity to see the cycle of nature firsthand, year-round. Physical exercise is considered essential for students and adults. The campus includes a ropes course, tennis court, basketball court, soccer field, swimming pool, trails, and a creek. The Butler School Equestrian Program provides an additional activity for many students.
The Intermediate Program meets the very special needs of students who are entering the "third plane of development" (7th and 8th grade). Butler School's Intermediate Program is a fully accredited school by the Maryland State Department of Education. Intermediate students are provided a more structured, standardized program in preparation for high school.
Studies have shown that the needs of young adolescents are quite different from that of the younger child. There is a need for a tremendous amount of physical activity and meaningful physical work. Butler School provides various opportunities, such as gardening, woodworking, carpentry, sports and ropes course activities to the adolescent student. There is a need for increased autonomy, involvement with social issues and a stimulating and thoughtful curriculum in an environment which helps the student develop a positive and durable self-esteem. Emotional needs are met by planning and experiencing a wide range of practical life activities, with attention to the development of personal vision.
A multitude of experiential settings, along with daily interaction as part of a group that offers mutual support and trusting relationships provide Intermediate students opportunity to develop socially. Students are individually, and as a group, involved with causes which they believe in and contribute to meaningfully. Academic needs are met by a rigorous program that includes humanities, language arts, math, science, Spanish, art and music. Workshops and electives are available as students form the desire to study a given subject in greater depth. "Occupation Projects, "give students a chance to learn and practice skill under the supervision of an expert in the field. The activities take place twice every week, and students choose a new "Occupation" every 12 weeks. "Occupation Projects" have included: Outdoor Adventure, Trail Maintenance, Greenhouse Gardening, Woodworking, Coffee Shop, Video Production and Textile Arts. Class trips provide experiential opportunities for personal, social and academic growth.
Butler School
15951 Germantown Road, Darnestown, MD 20874
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