The Montessori Middle School Program at Gunston promotes interdisciplinary learning experiences through blocks of time in multi-age classrooms. Grade 6 and 7 students learn English Language Arts, Science, Math, and History in the Montessori community, while electives are taught by teachers in the traditional Gunston program.
In addition to academics, the program is designed to support students’ academic, physical, social, and emotional development. These domains are inseparable in a Montessori education. The Montessori middle years’ program is designed to support the growth of effective communication, compassion and care for others and the environment, skills in conflict resolution, openness to new experiences, and a warm, caring, positive outlook on life. As middle grade students strive for independence and autonomy, the classroom offers freedom of choice in an atmosphere of social responsibility and self-discipline. Teachers act as mentors and guides to encouraging inquiry, creative problem solving, cooperation, and social interaction through learning.