Aurora Montessori School

The Aurora Montessori School (AMS) has been offering excellence in education for 27 years for children 18 months to grade 8. Our Staff understands and then educate children's unique capabilities and human potential, producing responsible, self-directed learners and critical thinkers.

A multitude of individual interest clubs, Spring and Summer Camps, and Before and After-school Programs are just some of the enhancements that make our school unique. Our mission is to help children realize the great potential that rests within them by assisting them in developing a sense of self and inspiring them to act on their ambitions. By adhering to the core principles and philosophies of Dr. Maria Montessori, we are devoted to each child's intellectual, emotional, social, and physical development.

The Aurora Montessori School story began in 1989 when the founder and Principal of Aurora Montessori, Sharon Kashani, rented a picturesque farmhouse on the corner of Bayview Avenue and Wellington Street in Aurora. Mrs. Kashani's main goal was to create an environment and educational curricula that would enhance children's learning on all levels. Her vision was to provide academic support while allowing each child to recognize his or her inner potential and talent by following the educational formula perfected by Maria Montessori. Upon opening, AMS accommodated twelve students who were enrolled at the newly founded school.

AMS programs were specifically developed to assist children during their most formative years, an approach which many of Aurora's young families embraced. The values and unique style of teaching and learning at AMS quickly helped the school gain recognition. The school initially focused on children aged 3-6, and gradually expanded to include education for students up to grade 8.

As our attic filled with books, and our walls in drawings and student photos, it became clear that our small farmhouse was becoming too small to accommodate our growing student body. With four portable classrooms added in the coming years, the AMS community continued to blossom and grow to just over 120 students.

By September of 1998, the school's programs had become well-established. Our modest Wellington campus was upgraded to today's 36,000 square foot facility that comprises ample working space for our students and Staff. The current state-of-the-art facility and advanced learning programs provide a snapshot of the school's historical trajectory towards new and exciting frontiers of learning and child development.

Building self-motivation and self-confidence within children are key factors in allowing them to reach their learning potential. The Montessori method was designed to achieve these goals by incorporating specially integrated educational activities into a child's daily school routine.

The Montessori method emphasizes a child's interaction with his or her environment by utilizing all five senses. On a fundamental level, this method is meant to stimulate the child's interest while fostering a heightened level of understanding of their studies at the same time.

Children in Montessori classes learn at their own individual pace and are given the freedom to explore a seemingly infinite array of the subject matter. At AMS, learning is an exciting process of discovery, and our school stays true to core Montessori values, providing an environment that promotes desirable behavioral attributes, such as:

• Having compassion and respect for others
• Independence
• Responsibility
• Improved concentration, motivation, and self-discipline
• Self-confidence
• Foster self-discovery and reasoning

Montessori classes form communities where older children are motivated to share their knowledge with their younger colleagues. Countless academic and private research studies have shown that Montessori principles and philosophies are proven to yield superior results to traditional educational models when administered correctly.

The child has a deep love and needs for purposeful work. However, he works not as an adult for profit and completion of a job, but for the sake of the activity itself. This activity accomplishes his most important goal: the development of himself, his mental, physical, and mental powers.

Montessori created a Cosmic Curriculum through which a child develops an understanding and appreciation of everything that has occurred in order for the world to exist in its present state. AMS now sits on 14 rolling acres at the end of the beautiful winding Aurora Road, on the corner of St. John's Sideroad and Industrial Parkway. AMS holds to Mrs. Kashani's vision, as AMS staff, parents, and children continually advance towards a brighter educational future. The spirit of AMS is one that continues to grow and develop as a part of the local Aurora community, and we are happy to welcome new faces and familiar friends alike. Children from 18 months to 14 years of age are welcome to enjoy the advantages of our thriving educational establishment.