NORTH OGDEN -- The Maria Montessori Academy held a double celebration this week: the opening of the new elementary school and a celebration of Montessori's birthday.
School began for students Aug. 23, but officials decided to hold off on the ribbon-cutting until Montessori's birthday Tuesday.
The students, in kindergarten through sixth grade, all wore handmade large-brimmed hats made in honor of Montessori. The hats, made of newspaper, and handmade flowers also helped shield the students from the sun as they sat out in front of the school for the afternoon.
"Maria Montessori loved to wear big hats, so we thought it would be fun to wear big hats like hers," said sixth-grader Kamdyn Wade.
Montessori founded her individualized method of teaching in the early 1900s, and many private and charter schools spread throughout the country are teaching her methods.
Nancy Lindeman, director of the North Ogden academy, 175 E. 2550 North, has been working with the Montessori method for more than 20 years and loves her time at the new school.
"We have wonderful kids, and everyone is just jumping right in," Lindeman said.
Lindeman said the school currently has approximately 450 students and that students are placed in classes according to ability and level rather than specific grades.
She explained it as a looping process and said two grades are usually placed together.
"It is a multi-age classroom model, and we have hands-on materials," Lindeman said.
There are 19 full time teachers plus 19 staff assistants. Lindeman has been impressed with the way the teachers have worked together and how smoothly things have run.
Parents have been happy too. Amie Hess heard of the Montessori method when she lived in Germany and watched some of her friends' children go through the program. When she heard a charter school was opening, using the methods, she jumped on it.
"I just love it. There is more hands-on involvement," she said.
Charlotte Ekstrom's children attended a Montessori school in Texas and she likes the fact it is a charter school, not a private school. "We spent a lot of money for it there (in Texas)," she said. "It is so great this is a charter."
The school has been built in just the last six months and is close to capacity. Lindeman said a lottery was conducted for the students, and there is a waiting list. Some new students may still be accepted.
For more information on the school, go to www.mariamontessoriacademy.org.
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