The Prepared Environment: Life at MMS

​Beauty, Order, Accessibility
Great care is taken to prepare learning environments to foster a child's independence and natural desire to learn. In Montessori language, "work" is the equivalent of "play." Montessorians believe that a working child - a child deeply focused in an activity of their choosing, facilitated by an experienced Guide - is a joyful child.
In our classrooms, we nurture the happiness, engagement, and fulfillment of all children.

Montessori Materials
Montessori materials are well-crafted, simple, and strong. Each material presents one concept and is self-correcting. For example, the geometric shape will only fit in a particular hole; the water will spill on the table if the pitcher is tipped; only one label will match the last picture. Discovering their own mistakes while working independently allows the children to build self-confidence at a steady, healthy pace.

Community
Each of our classroom communities are named after Mississippi-born peacemakers and positive change makers. We hope that this will encourage each of our students to take ownership of their individual classrooms, as well as foster a belief in our local and greater communities' capacity for goodness in each of our graduates.
​Montessori classrooms are vibrant communities in which children interact with other children and adults. Our Guides help to ensure that we meet each child where they are and that each child works at their own pace, encouraged by others and unhindered by negative competition. Grouping children by developmental ages and stages encourages "near-peer mentorship," when older children guide younger children through important educational lessons. At MMS, our goal is that all students eventually become quality, patient mentors.

Magnolia Montessori supports local business and encourages students' community involvement through collaborative local projects
​and "going out" field trips.

Community Engagement

The Montessori Method doesn't stop
at the end of the school day,
and neither does our school community. Our school families stay involved with the school and the community through social events, working committees,
​and outreach opportunities.

Our classrooms participate in service projects of their own design.
At MMS, we encourage each other to try to always think outside of our own worldviews.