Maria Montessori's vision for religious education.
The Montessori method of education, developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, is a child-centered educational approach based on more than a century of scientific observations of children from birth to adulthood in diverse cultures throughout the world.
A Montessori education permits uninterrupted blocks of independent time when children may self-direct their own learning. It's designed for children to develop their cognitive powers through direct experience: seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, touching, and movement. Montessori teachers meticulously observe and record each child's progress while encouraging independence, freedom within limits, and a sense of order.
The Catholic religious education for a Montessori environment, called Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, was developed over a century ago by Sofia Cavaletti, a Hebrew Scripture scholar, and Gianna Gobbi, former assistant to Maria Montessori, a devout Catholic doctor.
Instead of a religious education program focused on doctrines and rituals, ours is a beautiful, gentle and age-appropriate method through which the adult wonders alongside the child, and the child learns about liturgy, engages in prayer, and builds his or her personal relationship with Jesus, our Good Shepherd.
Families of all faiths are welcome!
We have a diverse family of students and strongly promote the values of inclusion, justice, faith, love and peace. We welcome children from homes of all faiths and cultures.
Our Academy is the only Catholic Montessori school in the Chicago Archdiocese, and one of only a few dozen across the country. As a ministry, we believe faith-based Montessori education should be open to all, so we keep tuition as low as possible, rely on the generosity of our families and donors, and extend scholarships to children in our community.
Our Academy is the only Catholic Montessori school in the Chicago Archdiocese, and one of only a few dozen across the country. Unlike other Catholic elementary schools in Chicago, we are a ministry of the Archdiocese of Chicago and receive no parish subsidies.
We believe faith-based Montessori education should be open to all, so we keep tuition as low as possible, rely on the generosity of our families and donors, and extend scholarships to children in our community.
Materials are available in each classroom and students may choose to use them as part of their self-directed learning.