In Montessori Junior High, learning by doing takes many forms, from organizing a community fundraiser to exploring the nation’s history firsthand during an educational trip to Washington D.C. Together, these experiences reflect how Montessori education supports adolescents as they grow in responsibility, purpose, and understanding.
The Rise’n Roll fundraiser offered students an opportunity to engage in meaningful, real world work. Students participated in planning, communication, and collaboration, gaining insight into what it means to contribute to a shared goal. This kind of work is intentionally designed in Montessori adolescent programs to build independence, confidence, and a strong sense of community connection.
That work directly supports the Junior High educational trip to Washington D.C., where learning continues beyond the classroom. Visiting places such as Arlington National Cemetery, national monuments, and museums including the African American Museum of History and Culture and the Holocaust Museum allows students to encounter history in a deeply human way. These experiences encourage reflection, empathy, and critical thinking, all essential components of Montessori education at this stage of development.
Montessori learning is interdisciplinary and experiential by design. Fundraising, budgeting, and teamwork connect naturally to studies of civics, history, ethics, and social responsibility. Students see firsthand how their efforts lead to meaningful opportunities, reinforcing the connection between work, accountability, and learning.
The success of both the fundraiser and the trip is made possible by the generosity of the TMA community. Families, friends, alumni, and supporters who purchased donuts helped transform student effort into an experience that will shape learning in lasting ways. Each contribution supported not just a trip, but the values at the heart of Montessori education.
In Montessori Junior High, adolescents are discovering their place in the world. By blending purposeful work with immersive learning experiences, programs like this help students grow into thoughtful, engaged citizens prepared to learn from and contribute to their communities.