Many school districts in Livingston County are preparing for another year of budget cuts and adjustments to allow for the declining enrollment of students and therefore, declining income levels.

This is a cause for concern as many parents are reflecting on the possible effects of larger class sizes and changes in student / teacher ratios.

To the many parents who are looking for an alternative to this current climate of unpredictability, we would like to offer information about our elementary school programs.

Maple Tree Montessori Academy is a fully licensed and registered private school located in Brighton, Michigan. We are currently offering an excellent educational program for children through the 6th grade with plans to expand to 8th grade.

We are Livingston County’s only non parochial, private school following the educational philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori. Maple Tree Montessori Academy is associated with the American Montessori Society and the Michigan Montessori Society. Our excellent and caring teachers have been trained by the American Montessori Society and are also affiliated with the North American Montessori Teacher’s Association, as well as the Association Montessori Internationale.

Our experienced and dedicated staff are devoted to the individualized Montessori Method of education. Recent research has shown that Dr. Montessori’s observations of children were not only correct, but way ahead of her time. This method of education, while being nurturing, individualized, stimulating and expansive for the child in every sense is also the leading form of “brain-based” education and is allowing children all over the world to become, holistically, the essence and practical experience of the human potential. The inner development of a child as a life long learner and a caring, citizen of the world was Dr. Montessori’s vision and it is ours as well.

In our classrooms, which are specifically prepared for each age group, their plane of development and the sensitive periods that accompany each age, every child is encouraged to explore, embrace and expand all realms of learning. Academics are all taught within an environment of social development, self direction and teacher guidance allowed by our low student to teacher ratio’s and a wealth of specialized materials that take each child from the concrete to the abstract guided by a teacher who is sensitive to the child’s individual learning style and pace.

If this sounds like the environment you would love for your child to experience as “school” please contact us for more information.

This summer, Maple Tree Montessori Academy is happy to host Julie Harrison teaching “Project Read”. Julie will be offering a 1 and 1/2 hour class, Monday through Friday for Preschool – Elementary students. The classes are held in 2 week sessions begining on Monday, June 21st. Project Read is designed to use a multi – sensory approach to strengthen reading skills at all levels. Students do not need to be enrolled in our Summer Camp to take the Project Read Sessions. For more information please email us info@mapletreemontessori.com.

Maple Tree Montessori Academy will be hosting a series of parenting classes facilitated by the Women’s Resource Center. These classes, Capable Kids,  will be held on 3 Tuesday’s in April. April 213th, 20th and 27th from 7:00 until 8:30. These classes will explore the work of Bruce Perry and Stanley Greenspan as well as other child development professionals. The fee is $25.00 per person for the series and there will be no childcare provided. Please call the Women’s Resource Center at 517-548-2200 to register.

Maple Tree Montessori Academy will be hosting an Open House for prospective parents on Saturday April 3rd from 11:00 – 1:00. We welcome all parents and children to come visit our classrooms, meet our teachers and ask questions about our programs.
We are currently enrolling students for Pre school thru 6th grade. (Yes, Maple Tree Montessori is a fully liscened private Elementary School) If you would like an information packet before Saturday, please email us at info@mapletreemontessori.com and we will send one out by email. We look forward to your visit!

Maple Tree Montessori will be closed Monday, February 22nd due to weather…enjoy the snow!

There will be no classes or day care on Wednesday, February 10th due to weather. Enjoy the snow!

Are you considering a private elementary school for your kindergarten student? Are you curious about Montessori Elementary education?Do you have questions about the Montessori Elementary curriculum and how it is different from other private, charter and public school programs? Maple Tree Montessori is pleased to invite all parents who would like to learn about Montessori Elementary and about our Lower and Upper Elementary programs to attend our “Moving Up” night on Tuesday, January 18th at 6:30. Parents of current Montessori students, all kindergarten students and possible future students will be able to visit the classrooms, meet the teachers, see our “hands on” materials  and ask questions about Montessori philosophy and curriculum.  Our enrollment for Fall 2010 has begun and we are accepting new students for programs serving preschool through 6th grade. Email info@mapletreemontessori.com for more information.

Maple Tree Montessori Academy is very excited to welcome author Chick Mooman to our school. We will be hosting a Chick Moorman Workshop on Saturday, February 6th from 1:00 to 4:00, “The 5 Voices of Enlightened Parenting”. Chick is a wonderful, funny and insightful speaker and we are very pleased that he makes time in his busy schedule for our school. The usual fee for a Chick Moorman workshop is $60.00, we are happy to offer this event free of charge to our community. All parents,teachers and caregivers are invited to attend and bring friends! This event opens our 2010 Summer Camp and Fall enrollment to the public. We hope you will make this workshop a priority, the practical suggestions and humorous insight make this an excellent opportunity for all interested in improving their child interaction skills.

On Saturday, January 16th from 1:00 to 4:00 Maple Tree Montessori is pleased to kick off our Early Enrollment for current parents with a interactive diversity workshop. “Embracing Humankind” hosted by Julie Harrison of “One World Mind” is an engaging experience in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We invite all interested parents, teachers and community members to attend. There is no charge for this event.

Dr. Maria Montessori, over 100 years ago, opened a Children’s House in a poverty stricken area of Rome. In this lab school, she observed children and documented their developmental needs. Dr. Montessori was a biologist and so she saw children as the young of our species, she later expanded on her discoveries toward a lofty purpose, Peace through Education. She was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize after addressing the world in the late 1930’s. This was a time of turmoil and pending disaster, she was pleading for a new perception, a shift of purpose. Maria Montessori’s hope was that we could experience a new perception of children, of the world and even of the concept of Peace. We are proud to continue her work and to carry Dr. Montessori’s message of hope to a tired world, a world in need of Peace. And so, we wish, hope and work toward a Peace filled Holiday Season for all, a season that extends into a true shift of perception, bright and shining into the New Year and far beyond. Happy Holidays.