Montessori in Edmond?

Are you looking for a better educational model for your child? Have you heard of Montessori learning, but you're not sure if it’s the best fit? Or are you loving it and just need to find the right Edmond – OKC area Montessori school? We welcome you to Chisholm Creek Academy, where we use Montessori principles in each of our elementary, middle, and high school studios, and then infuse it with 21st-century technology. Learn more about how the Acton method uses Montessori learning below!

What is the Montessori method of teaching?

The Montessori method of teaching is an alternative to traditional schooling which empowers young learners to be independent, curious, and self-sufficient. They learn in blended age groups, through self-directed study, and are taught conceptually instead of being “taught the test.” Montessori encourages learners to follow and develop their own interests through hands-on exploration.

At Chisholm Creek Academy, we take the best of Montessori methodology and infuse it with cutting-edge technology. Children in our blended-age studios are encouraged to be creative, curious, and entrepreneurial. We guide our learners towards subject mastery, instead of limiting learning to standardized testing. Our learners direct their own education, self-govern their studio policies, and support one another to be world changers!

What is the difference between a Montessori school and a regular school?

Instead of teaching by a strict rubric in one lecture to all students, Montessori classrooms encourage children to individually learn major concepts through multiple sources. Montessori education is more holistic in its approach, allowing for deep understanding. Children in Montessori classrooms use self-direction instead of being lectured by a teacher. 

At our Edmond OKC Acton Academy, CCA, we have learners instead of students – and guides instead of teachers! We help our kids learn how to think, instead of what to think. We encourage curiosity and self-driven learning, just like Montessori. Another similarity is that our learners can move as they learn, instead of being stuck in a chair! A big difference between Montessori vs Acton, however, is that we use multiple modern technologies in delivering cutting-edge individualized learning plans for each learner. This makes our learners competitive in the 21st Century.

What does Montessori look like in Elementary school?

A Montessori Elementary classroom has multiple stations at which children learn and rotate through during the day. There is typically a large rug/meeting area where students start and end their day by reviewing goals. Montessori classrooms use specific physical tools to help children learn conceptually, as compared with standard “paper” learning.

At Chisholm Creek Academy’s elementary studio, we allow our learners to move around from their desks, to bean bags, to our comfy couch area. We know that most jobs do not require individuals to sit at attention for eight hours, so why should they? Our learners outline what they need to accomplish during “launch,” and then have the freedom to accomplish their goals on their own terms during set times throughout the day. Instead of Montessori physical tools, or traditional paper learning, our students use individualized computer applications, “Deep Books,” and whiteboards to accomplish their goals using lifelong, grown-up resources.

How does Montessori middle school work?

Montessori middle schools – often called “Secondary” or “Upper” programs - are few and far between. When available, Montessori middle school typically takes a wide-lens approach to teaching overarching topics across multiple disciplines, including human history and science. Mathematics is taught conceptually, using practical application. Students are encouraged to develop and study their passions. 

Chisholm Creek Academy’s Middle School Studio is very similar to a Montessori middle classroom in that learners are given significant freedom to learn conceptually and at their own pace. CCA differs from Montessori in its use of mastery-based technologies like Aleks math, IEW, and DuoLingo to enrich our learners’ education. We also use Socratic Discussions to help children develop lifelong critical thinking, research, and debate skills. Finally, our middle program is distinctive in our internship requirement: we help our kids explore their interests through real-life experience.

How does Montessori high school work?

Even rarer than Montessori middle schools are Montessori high schools. In fact, there are only around 150 Montessori high schools in America. Montessori high schools tend to not follow a four-year program, opting instead to focus on developing a child’s independence and responsibility. Instead of standardized testing, Montessori programs seek to develop a young adult’s overall readiness for adult life and career track.

At our Edmond Oklahoma Acton Academy, our high school studio learners also focus on readying themselves for their next step in life! At Chisholm Creek Academy, we help our learners become independent, happy young adults based on their own unique Hero’s Journey. Whether that be college prep, trade apprenticeship, or an entrepreneurial venture – we help guide our learners to success! Because we focus on mastery over “teaching the test,” our learners create an individualized portfolio of their accomplishments throughout their education to showcase their real-life skills. This mastery-based portfolio equates to “straight As” for college entry, hands-on experience for career track kids, and work product for our young business owners! And, all of our high school-aged learners graduate with advanced placement credits and college-level writing skills. 

What kind of kid is Montessori good for?

Children that are naturally curious and self-directed are a great fit for Montessori and Acton Academy programs, like Chisholm Creek Academy. Learners who enjoy asking questions, exploring ideas, and pushing the envelope will excel in our rich environment. Those who enjoy a challenge will love our badge program. Independently-minded children are very welcome here – we will encourage them to continue to ask questions and grow their minds. Those who learn differently are likewise in the right place! We guide our learners differently, and we think, better than the traditional school model. 

How can I learn more about Chisholm Creek Academy?

We’d love to hear from you! You can contact us here, give us a call at (630) 881-2268, or email at info@chisholmcreekacademy.org. We would love to answer your questions and schedule a tour of our studios located in Enterprise Square at Oklahoma Christian University, 2501 E Memorial Rd, Edmond, OK!