Middle School

11 Years Old to 14 Years Old (Grades 6–8)

Our progressive middle school supports the sensitive age of early adolescents by offering a program designed specifically for their academic, social, and emotional needs. Learning is organized through eight International Baccalaureate (IB) subject areas that promote interdisciplinary study. Students analyze complex, real-world issues and develop the habits of mind they need to thrive in our increasingly interconnected world. Through these dynamic experiences, students become knowledgeable, critical thinkers; articulate communicators; and open-minded, principled, and caring young people who are positioned to do their best in high school and beyond.

IB Middle Years Programme IB MYP Curriculum

Princeton Montessori Middle School is authorized as an International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme. IB schools share a common philosophy—a commitment to high quality, challenging, internationally-minded education that Princeton Montessori School believes is important for our middle school students.

IB Assessment Criteria IB Four Policies Assessment MYP General Regulations

Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer any of its four academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Diploma Programme or the Career-related Programme (CP). Find out more about IB ›

Overview

Students Connect, Collaborate, and Create in shaping their own understanding and in developing the person they will become.

Our Middle School program is designed for children between 11-14 years and is a unique educational experience based on the developmental needs of early adolescents. Our graduates are prepared to take on higher education with the tools they need to succeed while maintaining a passion for learning and a drive to explore, create, and collaborate. A Montessori middle school education offers an experiential, dynamic approach to each subject area; integrated studies between programs; and a focus on character development and self-exploration. We extend the learning environment to the larger world through international and local trips, Montessori Model UN, and other unique offerings designed to engage, excite, and educate the middle school-aged child.

Schedules

Full Day Session
8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, M–F

Before Care
7:30–8:30 AM

After Care
4:00–6:00 PM

“But, above all, it is the education of adolescents that is important because adolescence is the time when the child enters on the brink of adulthood and becomes a member of society.”
(From Childhood to Adolescence, p. 60)

Why offer the MYP?

Research shows that students participating in the MYP:

build confidence in managing their own learning
learn by doing, connecting the classroom to the larger world
outperform non-IB students in critical academic skills
consistently have greater success in IB Diploma Programme examinations
thrive in positive school cultures where they are engaged and motivated to excel
develop an understanding of global challenges and a commitment to act as responsible citizens.

The MYP provides a rigorous yet highly flexible framework that powerfully integrates with local educational requirements.

Developmental Milestones

Early adolescence is a time of great change, intellectually, psychologically, and physically. Except for the first three years of life, there is no other time where growth is so noticeable, varied, and significant. There is a new awareness of self in relation to community, a need to find one’s place in the world, the ability to reflect on educational experiences, and a desire to make a personal connection to what is learned. This stage can be a ‘fragile’ phase in a child’s life with the child often alternating between feeling vulnerable and feeling secure. Our Middle School program supports the student in this stage of development as the process of self-construction occurs—socially, emotionally, and intellectually. We emphasize, model, and teach core values of respect, responsibility, and resilience.

Program Highlights

Curriculum
The Middle School curriculum cycles through three years of dynamic studies. Learning becomes meaningful when students see connections across disciplines and can relate their learning to real-world situations and personal experiences. Core and enrichment content is taught in a way that ignites curiosity and wonder. Through guided reading of such literature as Gilgamesh, Canterbury Tales, Shakespeare, Dickinson, Douglass, and Thoreau, students enter high school ready to further explore these important works. By experiencing history through experiential activities; science through experimenting, hypothesizing, and researching; and mathematics through stress-free exploration, practice, and collaboration, students keep their love of learning and confidence intact.

The team of teachers set consistent, age-appropriate expectations academically. Guiding questions allow for discussion of the larger themes of study relevant to this stage of development. Teachers collaborate and coordinate on assignments and expectations, and check in with students regularly in order to promote individual growth and self-awareness. Students work toward mastery of each subject with the focus on developing intrinsic motivation.

Travel Experiences
Each year, the seventh and eighth-grade students take a trip designed to expand their understanding of culture and their place in the world. They alternate between a trip to New York City to participate in the Montessori Model UN and a trip to the Andalucia region of Spain, where they reside with host families, led by Chill Expeditions.

Skill Development
Middle School students need guidance and supervision with organization and time management. Our program recognizes this developmental need and supports it with specific instruction, modeling, and oversight. Core skills are taught that prepare students for high school, including critical and creative thinking and effective collaboration; self-management of time, materials, and responsibilities; and study and test-taking techniques. Feedback about expectations and deadlines is given to students to help support their growth in self-management.

Assessment
Assessments serve the purpose of giving students and teachers meaningful feedback so that reflection, improvement, and growth can occur. Assessments may take the form of academic prompts, performance tasks, traditional tests and quizzes, informal checks for understanding, observations and dialogue, self-reflection, and peer feedback. Students graduate from middle school distinctly attuned to the workings of traditional assessment while understanding the many measures needed to determine their own mastery and progress.

Middle School students participate in a Farm-to-School experience with Cherry Valley Coop.

Find our more about our recent grant from the USDA

Our Graduates Thrive

We prepare children for an unpredictable world by facilitating the development of self-confidence, life skills, and independence. We support self-motivation over peer competitiveness as a much more effective tool of personal accomplishment. As a result, our graduates enter and succeed at the most-demanding high schools and colleges. The world-class education received at Princeton Montessori School equips students with the tools needed to lead successful and fulfilling lives.

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What Parents Are Saying

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“The other day I came downstairs and my 4-year-old son was listening to 'Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart' on Alexa. He told me that Mozart's dad was named Leopold and his sister was Nannerl (it took him a second to remember her name and it sounded made up, so my husband and I googled it. Sure enough he was right). We asked what else he had been learning and he rattled off Antonio Lucio Vivaldi’s full name and referenced The Four Seasons. I think my jaw is still on the floor. It turns out that the Primary children have been learning about composers this fall and listening to their music. What incredible exposure for these young children!”

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“Princeton Montessori is the very epitome of the principles of Maria Montessori. The School offers a nurturing, creative, academic, and well-rounded development for each child. As a parent, we cannot offer our daughter a more valuable first gift.”

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“The faculty are, bar none, the absolute best. The teachers are very knowledge both about the Montessori philosophy and the best ways to work with children. I ask for their advice and insight for any issues we’re having at home, quite often. They’re also incredibly warm and nurturing with the children in a way I have not seen at any other school.”

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“I’m struck by how much better the Montessori toddlers are at playing and working peacefully with their peers than toddlers in other nursery school programs. I credit the gifted PMonts teachers, and the Princeton Montessori educational approach, for how confident, happy, and collaborative toddlers in the PMonts program seem.”

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“Our son is so proud of being a third-year Primary. He has attended this incredible school since he was one year old. He had absolutely wonderful Toddler teachers and flourished under their care. Now, he is a third-year Primary and we know he will be more than ready for Lower Elementary. Thank you to all the Teachers & Staff!”

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“The school runs with one philosophy and so every faculty member and admin personnel share the same vision for the child. This consistency is unique in our area to Princeton Montessori. Combined with the integration of the teacher training program, we can proudly say that the spirit of Dr. Montessori’s principles permeates every aspect of our school. That’s what I value the most about our school!”

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“Education is both a gift and a right. I feel the teachers at PMonts help our children to appreciate the value of their education. Understanding the value involves looking beyond school and appreciating how education is a tool that will allow them to explore challenging goals, to grow as individuals and most importantly, chase their dreams.”

“This is our first year at Princeton Montessori and my daughter is in the toddler program. It’s been nothing short of amazing. Teachers are phenomenal and my daughter has learned so much already!”

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“I will never cease to be amazed at the capabilities of the young child. In the Montessori environment, the very youngest students show incredible independence and competence. At Princeton Montessori School the teachers truly help the children to “help me do it myself”.”

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“When I think about my personal philosophy on education I can check all the boxes with regards to the education my daughter is receiving at Princeton Montessori. I feel the teachers motivate the students by focusing on appreciating the value of education and the diversities of peoples around the world while stressing and leveraging the power of the uniqueness in each individual student. Ultimately, the role of an educator is to shape a new generation that will create a safer and better world for the future.”

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“Princeton Montessori School is a school that exceeds any expectations imaginable. The school follows each and every child on an individual basis and nourishes each child’s academic, social, and emotional needs. It is a school where teachers appreciate all unique qualities each child brings.”

“Our daughter loves being at school. She confidently reported that she was happy with the safety measures in place, and that she felt “safe” at school. This was HUGE.”

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“Princeton Montessori School turned out to be the best investment ever. We made some sacrifices in our lifestyle in order to be able to afford sending both children all the way through 8th grade, but now we are proud to note that we have two capable, confident, well-mannered young adults who are a pleasure to be around and who continue to love to work hard in their studies.”

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“EXCEPTIONAL is the carefully chosen word to describe Princeton Montessori School. Our family has been part of the PMonts community from elementary through middle school. If I could give every child a gift that gift would be for them to experience the joy of learning every single day at PMonts. The multi-age classes provide the advantage of older students leading younger students and younger students watching the wonderful examples of the older children. The children recognize the strengths of others as being positive and not competitive. Princeton Montessori is much more than academic college prep - it is life prep!”

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“Our child previously attended a reputable public elementary school. During that time, she often complained that she was bored at school. I was concerned that the school's 'one-size-fits-all' education model was gradually dimming her thirst for knowledge. I wanted the flames of her engagement and curiosity to be fanned, not extinguished. She is now back at Princeton Montessori and I am happy to report that she is no longer bored. In fact, her inner flame has never been stronger!”

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“Our daughter has been in the infant center for only six months, but we believe it has been the most transformative and influential time of her life. The Infant Center teachers planted a little seed in our daughter’s heart, and it has grown and blossomed into a beautiful, resilient flower with their warm love and care. ...We have observed her world expanding astronomically, filled with beautiful memories of her teachers and friends. We have been thoroughly impressed and constantly reassured by the quality of education and care the teachers provide.”

“We have always been thrilled with our PMonts experience, and this fall term has sent us through the roof. We are in awe of the tireless work of the faculty and administration, who have made possible such an inspiring in-person program. I have always been broadly grateful for the PMonts education my children have been so lucky to receive; this summer and fall, I felt grateful each and every day.”

“As a parent (and faculty member), Molly and I are beyond grateful for PMonts. Our children are SO happy here. I am more of a believer than ever before. Miles was fine at his public school but the difference is really clear - here, he is not just fine - he is totally thriving and so happy! I'm amazed.”

“"Princeton Montessori School students are open to diverse backgrounds, curious to learn new things, strong in their leadership and presentation skills, and confident. Thank you for providing an educational environment that encourages a child's total development. We know it is an incredible gift." -Middle School Parent”

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