Montessori Education

Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) is home to the largest cluster of Montessori schools in the country.

Dr. Maria Montessori, the Italian pediatrician who founded the methodology over 100 years ago, believed that when children are given the freedom to choose their own learning activities, a self-confident, inquisitive, creative child emerges. By observing the way children learn through exploration, Dr. Montessori developed a new system of education. Her philosophy allows children to grow their skills through hands-on learning.

In a Montessori classroom, children work with specially designed, hands-on materials that engage the senses in learning. Montessori materials are beautiful and inviting. They teach only one concept at a time to allow the child to work independently and master the skill.

The sequence of Montessori lessons aligns well with and, in many cases, exceeds state learning standards, ensuring that children are introduced to complex learning concepts through hands-on experiences that lead to deep understanding. The combination of independent, partner, small-group, and whole-group lessons and activities introduces children to different learning relationships and interpersonal dynamics, which are valuable skills for their interactions outside the classroom. 

Our Montessori Schools

MPS is dedicated to providing an authentic, world-class Montessori education. We offer the nation’s largest cluster of public Montessori schools; our eight tuition-free Montessori schools enroll more than 4,000 students annually. MacDowell Montessori is the only public K–12 Montessori school in the nation, and Riley Dual Language Montessori School is the only public English/Spanish Montessori program in the region. Visit each school's website to learn more.

Enrollment

Any child who will be age three or four by September 1 is eligible to apply for the Montessori program during the kindergarten enrollment period. Seats are assigned through a random computer process. Sibling preference and the number of openings help determine the students selected.

Students older than age four may be enrolled in MPS Montessori schools as seats are available using the following specifications:

• Students with verified continuous, previous Montessori experience shall receive Montessori enrollment preference.
• Students without Montessori experience and students with limited Montessori experience may be enrolled as seats are available following an intake conference with the school principal.

Enroll Your Child

Automatic admission is granted to the Montessori middle school for students who successfully complete year six of the Montessori elementary program.

Curriculum

Discover what students are learning at our Montessori schools.
 

Montessori in the News

Catch up on recent news stories about Montessori education in MPS.
 

Montessori at Home

Learn what you can do to support your child's education at home.
 

Montessori Advisory Committee (MAC)

Share your voice on our committee to help strengthen Montessori education across the district.
 

More Information

Download the Board-Approved Montessori Strategic Plan

If you have any questions about Montessori education at MPS, please contact mpsmontessori@milwaukee.k12.wi.us. If you're a teacher who is interested in a position with one of our Montessori schools, learn more about what to expect.