About Us

About Northglade Montessori

Northglade is an American Montessori Society-accredited school, which embraces the philosophy of "freedom within limits" that is incorporated into every multi-grade classroom. These multi-grade classes consist of Early Childhood ages three to five; Elementary I, first through third grades; and Elementary II, fourth and fifth grades. The Early Childhood classes offer a tuition-based, state-licensed preschool. All children are encouraged to work at their own pace, individually or in small groups while working toward grade-level expectations. Northglade offers a full-service Communities In Schools of Kalamazoo partnership as well as the 21st Century After-School Program for qualifying families. Northglade's goal is to promote active, self-directed learning while striking a balance of individual mastery.

What is Montessori education?

For more than a century now, the child-focused approach that Dr. Maria Montessori, an Italian physician, developed for educating children has been transforming schools around the globe.

As soon as you enter a classroom, you know that something different is afoot. Montessori classrooms are immediately recognizable. You will see children working independently and in groups, often with specially designed learning materials; deeply engaged in their work; and respectful of themselves and their surroundings.

The Montessori Method fosters rigorous, self-motivated growth for children and adolescents in all areas of their development—cognitive, emotional, social, and physical.  — The American Montessori Association