The Montessori Academy

Statement of Philosophy

The Montessori Academy is an Indiana private school that acknowledges the impact of critical learning periods on developing social, emotional, intellectual, physical, and moral competencies.

The influence of a Montessori education respects the uniqueness of each person and preserves and nurtures an innate capacity to reach full potential as contributing world citizens. The essence of Dr. Montessori’s method is to allow for the development of natural human characteristics and to help children as they adapt to their culture.

The curriculum at this Indiana private school is grounded in the universal laws of human development that include movement, language, order, work, self-discipline, exploration, abstract thinking, imagination, and creativity. A major goal of the Montessori program is to help children think for themselves and to be actively involved in the educational process. This is accomplished through activities directed by Montessori-certified professionals working in concert with students and their families.

Our curriculum provides for the concept development and skill acquisitions in prepared classrooms with a focus on learning by doing. Our methods enable students to develop respect for individual differences as they engage in purposeful, collaborative learning. Our students use inner discipline, concentration, and task completion for lifelong critical thinking and discovery.

To read more about Montessori theory, click here.

About Us

At TMA, our classrooms look different from those in more traditional school environments. The classrooms and the ‘works’ within them are highly structured while allowing for the free flow of movement and ideas. Our students go to work in dynamic spaces in which questions are more important than answers, and allow for the pursuit of knowledge through an inquiry based approach to learning. Our community of classrooms is made up of five levels of multi-age programs, Toddlers or 18 months to 3 years, preschool or Early Childhood consisting of 3-6 year olds, Lower Elementary with 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders working together, Upper Elementary of 4th, 5th and 6th graders and culminating with the two year cycle of the Junior High. Each level builds on the one before and our students learn to take responsibility not only for themselves and their learning but for each other and their surroundings. Younger students learn from the older ones as the more experienced students act as mentors, guiding their young classmates, which adds a layer of learning that goes far beyond what’s gained in a traditional classroom.

The Montessori teacher acts as a guide on a grand adventure, inspiring students to embrace their curiosity and search for answers. Our teachers ignite the flames of the imagination and encourage creative thinking. The academic work is rigorous, meeting each child where they are and utilizing individual work plans to meet their unique needs. Teachers help students navigate challenging academic work and celebrate students’ accomplishments, while positively guiding each student to reach new levels of understanding.

Here, at the most diverse school in our region, we make a commitment to promoting an environment of inclusivity and respect through which TMA students become advocates first for each other and ultimately for social justice and peace.dis

Together our students and their families, along with our faculty and staff work to form a beautiful community where we “activate the child’s own natural desire to learn” and develop tomorrow’s leaders in the process.

History of The Montessori Academy Edison Lakes

In the fall of 1969, our school began as an American Montessori affiliate under the name Little Flower Montessori, located in the basement of Little Flower Church in South Bend, Indiana. Families were drawn to this wonderful little preschool, and enrollment rapidly grew.

In 1980, after eleven years in several different locations, the Early Childhood building on Day Road was dedicated by the Reverend Theodore Hesburgh, C.S.C., President of the University of Notre Dame. This location was thanks to a gift of property at by Mr. and Mrs. Donald Cressy and the fundraising efforts of many founding families.

On August 1, 1989, the newly constructed Elementary/Adolescent facility was dedicated as the second building on the current Montessori campus. All programs were consolidated at the Edison Lakes campus and our school officially became known as "The Montessori Academy Edison Lakes."
In 1998, the wing containing our full-sized gymnasium/auditorium, Junior High classroom, presentation room, and art room was opened, completing the expansion of our school that began so many years ago in a church basement.