Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the next level of schooling, beyond 12 years of age?
In order to allow students who have completed a primary Montessori curriculum to continue their education in a similar pedagogical fashion, we have developed a program for students ages 12-16 which combines a Montessori-type education with a more traditional education. This secondary school prepares students for the Swiss Maturité program.
Why is the Ecole Montessori Vevey not bilingual?
Experience has shown that bilingual education is conducted at the cost of understanding and assimilation of the subjects taught.
We have, therefore, chosen to focus on providing solid and comprehensive knowledge of each subject of the program.
To ensure fundamental language skills and fluency in speaking, English is taught from age 3 and German from age 6.
Several students who had ended their Middle School, and who were preparing a “baccalaureat” or a Swiss Matura were then considered by their teacher as being nearly bilingual.
Will students have homework ?
The majority of schoolwork is done at school, during study periods designated specifically for this purpose and supervised by teachers. This avoids requiring parents to assume the burden of monitoring the student’s work and allows for students to be mentored as needed.
If I move, can my child continue Montessori schooling in another country ?
The majority The Montessori Method is an internationally-used method. There are schools on every continent (25,000 in the world according to Association Montessori International). The AMI equipment and teacher training are the same everywhere so a student should have no problem integrating a new school.
Is recognition by a Montessori Association mandatory ?
No. The Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) is not responsible for labelling schools, but for the quality of teacher training. Membership with a national Montessori Association is not compulsory and is an individual choice for each school.
In Switzerland, a school cannot be a member of the Association Montessori Switzerland, which is composed only of individual members. It is the same for the AMI.
What is the Montessori ‘ambiance’ ?
Used by Francophone associations, this term is the translation of the Italian word ‘ambiente’, used to describe a Montessori learning environment .
This term describes the unique environment which is the class, the specific materials and the
teacher. Together, these elements should encourage a student’s optimal development. In English, the terminology used is ‘environment’.
What are a Montessori school’s quality criteria ?
The main criteria defined by AMI are:
Prepared environments
1) The optimal size for a Casa or Elementary (3-6 and 6-12) is large enough (20-40 students) to produce desired expected results.
2) The classes are all composed of children of mixed ages.
3) All furniture, tables, chairs, shelves, and tools are of the appropriate size for the age group.
4) A complete set of Montessori materials for the age group is provided.
5) There is one AMI qualified teacher and, if necessary, one assistant per class.
The Children’s Work
1) The children have access to a full range of Montessori materials and exercises for their age range, with the freedom to choose their own activity and the possibility of spontaneous repetition.
2) At the Elementary level, the work will be mainly collaborative small-group work.
3) Long periods of uninterrupted work.
The combination of these criteria allows students to work for long periods with concentration and to develop perseverance, independence in learning, cooperation, responsibility, courtesy, calm, joy, discipline and self-confidence.
It is the presence of these qualities in children that ultimately best defines the schools which use the Montessori Method.