About
Our Philosophy
Understanding Montessori Education—
A Philosophy for Life, Not Just School
Dr. Maria Montessori—a pioneering physician, educator, and humanitarian—was well ahead of her time. Her core belief that effective learning is self-directed and nurtures the whole child uniquely equips your child to thrive in today’s rapidly changing world.
At its core, Montessori education is simply a way of being with children that allows each child to develop fully into the person they are destined to be. Just as you make every effort to ensure your home is loving and safe—so your child feels secure and well-adjusted—we work diligently to ensure the physical environment, the teachers, and the student community will meet your child's needs with respect and support at each step in their educational journey.
What does it mean to be an Authentic Montessori School?
When choosing a Montessori school, it’s important to know what distinguishes authentic Montessori education from programs that simply borrow the name. Authentic Montessori schools are grounded in a set of core components that guide every aspect of the learning experience—from the classroom environment to the teacher’s role to the child’s daily rhythm. These principles ensure that students are truly benefiting from the Montessori approach, fostering independence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning.
Core Components of Montessori Education
List of 6 items.
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Trained Montessori Guides
Educators with specialized Montessori credentials (AMI, AMS, or MACTE-accredited), trained to observe, guide, and support children’s natural development—not just deliver curriculum. At Starwood Academy of Frisco, all of our classrooms have one Montessori credentialed guide and our administrators are Montessori credentialed. -
Mixed-Age Classrooms
Mixed-age classrooms are intentionally designed to span three years, creating vibrant learning communities where students can thrive. This structure allows younger children to look up to older peers, older students to develop leadership skills, and all students to learn the value of collaboration across developmental stages.
Starwood's mixed-age groups are as follows:- Toddler - 18 mo.-3 years
- Primary - 3-6 years
- Lower Elementary - 6-9 years
- Upper Elementary - 9-12 years
- Middle School - 12-14 years
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Uninterrupted Work Periods
Authentic Montessori schools have extended blocks of focused, self-directed time that allow children to engage deeply with meaningful work and develop concentration and perseverance.
At Starwood this looks like:- Toddler: A 2-hour work cycle daily, with time allocated for meals, snacks, hygiene, and rest.
- Primary: A 2-hour work cycle daily, 4 days per week.
- Elementary: A 3-hour work cycle daily.
- Middle School: A 3-hour work cycle daily.
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Child-Led Choice
Students select their work from a range of developmentally appropriate options, fostering intrinsic motivation, ownership, and self-direction. -
Prepared Environments
Montessori classrooms are beautiful, intentional spaces designed to meet the specific needs of the age group, with hands-on materials arranged sequentially for exploration and mastery. -
Respect for the Child
Each child is honored as a capable, curious, and unique individual. Montessori schools nurture independence, empathy, and confidence by treating children with dignity and trust.
We invite you to visit our school, observe our classrooms in action, and see why Montessori education creates confident, capable, and caring individuals prepared for whatever the future holds. Contact our Admissions Team to schedule a tour today!
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The Starwood Academy of Frisco's difference lies in our approach and dedication to the Montessori pedagogy, our deep community values, and the rich Montessori legacy brought forth by our school founder.
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