Melbourne Montessori School - Brighton Campus
Welcome to Melbourne Montessori School - Brighton
Melbourne Montessori School(MMS) is a highly regarded, thriving independent school with two Melbourne campuses in Brighton and Caulfield.
Our school caters for children from 18 months (parent and toddler program) right through to Senior School where our students graduate with an International Baccalaureate (IB) or can select the Montessori Careers Program.
The Montessori method is founded on the idea that children learn best when they are free to explore and learn at their own pace, in an environment that is specifically prepared and designed to support their development.
In a Montessori classroom, children are encouraged to be self-directed learners and to take an active role in their own education. The teacher serves as a guide and facilitator and provides a supportive and inclusive environment that fosters creativity, independence, and a love of learning.
Melbourne Montessori School has been awarded The Educator’s Most Innovative School for two years in a row.
Parent and Toddler & Early Learners
Parent and Toddler Group
This program is to cater for our youngest students and is a gentle introduction to Montessori education and practices where a parent or caregiver attends the session with the child. Each session is for 2 hours, from 9:30 - 11:30. The children work with a Montessori coordinator and parents learn to guide their child's work in keeping with Montessori philosophy. This program offers parents an opportunity to learn about Montessori education and to engage with other parents on other issues of parenting through discussion and sharing of ideas.
Early Learners
The Early Learners Program recognises that the first three years of life are fundamental in the development of human beings and their potential. The child’s physical development is phenomenal and apparent and inspires our care and attention. Yet a profound and less obvious development is taking place within the child. Maria Montessori refers to development in this period as the spiritual embryo. She believed that a second embryonic period occurred after birth, during the first three years of life, when the child’s intelligence is formed. This is the time the child acquires the culture and language into which he or she is born. It is the period when the core of personality, social being and the essence of spiritual life are developed.
Our Montessori teachers in this area of the school are trained to understand the child’s development and the development of the human mind, which allows them to prepare the learning environment to meet the needs of the child.
Materials are set out in an ordered manner on low, open shelves. All activities aim to foster independence and support psycho-motor development and language acquisition.
Cycle 1 (3YE, 4YO, Prep)
Activities in this cycle are designed to allow your child to develop concentration, coordination,order and independence.
Students work with concrete materials in tasks that include: window washing; painting; manipulation of blocks; differentiation, discrimination and classification of materials; recognition and reproduction of letters; and identification of countries, animals and plants.
Cycle 2 (Primary 1-3) & Cycle 3 (Primary 4-6)
Cycle 2 (Ages 6 to 9)
Activities in this cycle are designed to allow your child to research their own questions about the world, building more complex understanding of concepts and connections.
The major themes ('Great Stories') explored in Cycle 2 investigations are the stars, the planets, the story of life, the coming of humans, language and invention.
Cycle 3 (Primary 4-6)
This cycle provides an increased scientific base for a higher level of synthesis and understanding. It includes more abstract concepts and more sophisticated problem-solving. Students work in the areas of language, mathematics, geometry, geography, history, zoology and botany.
Cycle 4 (Senior 7-8) & Cycle 5 (Senior 9 - 10)
The Montessori adolescent program is the beginning of the transition into adulthood. We surround students with passionate teachers who can light that essential spark to ask more and expect more. We encourage students to push the boundaries and start creating their own path in life in a secure, supportive community.
Continuing the journey from Cycle 4, we start Cycle 5 in Year 10 where students embrace the learning of Australian Curriculum subjects in the context of real world applications, while making the connection with the relevance of theoretical knowledge.
Year 9 and Year 10 studies prepare students for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme or Melbourne Montessori Program (VCAL).
Cycle 6 (Senior 11-12) , Montessori Careers Program and International Baccalaureate
Montessori Careers Program
The Montessori Careers Program is available to Year 11 and 12 students who wish to pursue vocational studies that will develop high-level employment related skills and knowledge, broaden their personal skills and prepare them for entrance into the workplace.
Based in the Montessori philosophy, the Montessori Careers Program incorporates studies in the Victorian Certificate of Education Vocational Major (VCE VM) and Vocational Education and Training (VET). The program is designed to equip them with the skills and knowledge that they will need to succeed and thrive.
Students will participate in collaborative projects, work placements, community service and physical expression activities provide practical, hands-on experience and develops well-balanced adults ready to take on the next stage of their learning journey.
International Baccalaureate Diploma
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma is a two-year curriculum that fosters high academic standards and international understanding. It is recognised by Australian tertiary institutions and major universities worldwide as the gold standard in university preparation.
Offering more than just academic knowledge, the learner and their personal development are central to the IB Diploma Programme. Students explore and develop their intellectual, emotional and ethical attributes with the IB Learner Profile and develop an excellent breadth and depth of academic knowledge.
The IB Diploma programme encourages students across the globe to become active and compassionate lifelong learners. The core values and education philosophy of IB are in harmony with the Montessori philosophy; the development of engaged, empowered, and independent learners.