About Us

ASM's mission statement guides everything that the school does from hiring faculty and teaching students to adopting policies and planning for the future.

Mission

Andover School of Montessori fosters the growth of joyous learners and responsible citizens. We encourage curiosity, deep thinking and respect for oneself and others. In support of Maria Montessori's philosophy we:

• Advocate learning through collaboration and communication
• Provide learning in a climate of support and experimentation
• Promote service to others
• Instill a sense of community
• Model integrity and civility
• Embrace peace, challenge prejudice and respect difference
• Recognize that many perspectives inform the human experience

In determining the future direction of the school, it became apparent that while the mission is clear, ASM also needed a vision, something that the school constantly aspires to achieve. Through the collaborative work of staff, families and the Board, a new vision statement was crafted and adopted by the Board of Directors. The vision guides ASM in its strategic planning.

Vision

ASM students will be learners for life: confident, independent, and always striving to enrich their lives by learning.

Montessori Philosophy

A fundamental idea of the Montessori philosophy is that the child has an innate desire to develop her human potential in all its dimensions. Equally intrinsic is the belief that the young child has an "absorbent" mind. Maria Montessori believed that just as a baby learns to walk and talk spontaneously, without the direction of an adult, so is the child able to absorb and process all sorts of information from her environment, and in effect, to teach herself. Thus, Maria Montessori believed that the primary job of childhood is for the child to "create" the person he or she is to become.

Maria Montessori was the first woman accepted by the University of Rome Medical School. Maria graduated with honors in 1896. She did a great deal of her early work in children's wards of the local hospitals, went on to work with mentally challenged children, and studied the works of Itard and Seguin, innovative scientists of the time. Using their methods and didactic materials, she worked extensively to educate these children. Ultimately, many of the children passed the state tests on a level with children, who did not have learning challenges. Montessori concluded that there was something wrong with the regular education program and devoted the remainder of her life to studying and improving education. Many of her recommendations such as movable tables and chairs, the need for special nutrition, and time out of doors came from her background as a physician.

In 1903, Montessori started a special program that she named "Casa de Bambini" or "Children's House" for the children of working parents in a new public housing area in the San Lorenzo district of Rome. By observing these children and their teachers (whom she called directresses) Montessori further developed her philosophy of education.

Through these undertakings, Dr. Montessori became aware of the value of a prepared environment, which meets the child's needs and fosters the inherent joy in learning. This philosophical framework led to the Montessori environment: an environment that is carefully planned to include materials that meet the cognitive and developmental needs of the child and enable the child to learn through her personal interactions with the environment. Because the child has been prepared for each new material, she is able to proceed at her own rate. The self-correcting characteristics of each exercise, and the preparation of the child for each new step, lead to successful experiences that lead to further successful experiences and independence.

At ASM, the Montessori philosophy is the basis of all levels of education from Children's House through Middle School.

History

Andover School of Montessori, Inc. is a non-profit corporation, established in February 1975 in a rented classroom at St. Augustine's School in Andover. ASM has grown from a one morning and one afternoon session preschool program to a full service program for children ages three years through eighth grade. In 1982, there were 54 students enrolled. After several moves, land was purchased on Main Street in Andover and in 1996, a new building was opened to serve the Children's House, Lower Elementary and Upper Elementary classes. During the 2000-2001 school year, an additional Lower Elementary class was added and construction of space for a Middle School was begun. In 2002, ASM opened its newly expanded facility that included five additional classrooms, a library, a science/math lab, a staff room and a 2,000 square foot multi-purpose room.

Today, ASM's faculty and staff of 40 support approximately 200 students in 4 Children's House classrooms, 3 Lower Elementary, 2 Upper Elementary classrooms and 1 Middle School classroom. Middle School classes graduate and consistently matriculate into the secondary schools of their choice where many have achieved academic honors, participated on varsity sports teams and achieved personal successes.

Management of the school is done through a management team consisting of the Head of School, Admissions Director, Children's House Director, Elementary/Middle School Director, Finance Director and Administrative Assistant.

Accreditations

ASM has been fully accredited by the American Montessori Society since 1985. ASM is also accredited by the Association of Independent Schools of New England (AISNE) through 2012.

Affiliations

Through staff and parent involvement, ASM is affiliated with Montessori Schools of Massachusetts (MSM), the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, the North American Montessori Teachers Association (NAMTA), and the local Parent-to-Parent organization.

Directions:

From the South:
Take Route 93 North to Exit 41 Route 125 Andover. Follow the exit ramp and take a right on to Route 125. Go through two sets of lights. Take a right after the overpass on to Route 28 North. Go 1.1 miles up Route 28 North and take a right on to the school property. Use the large white mailbox post and the school sign to locate the turn.

From the North:
Take Route 93 South to Exit 41 Route 125 Andover. Follow the exit ramp and take a left on to Route 125. Go through two traffic lights and take a right after the overpass on to Route 28 North. Go 1.1 miles up Route 28 North and take a right on to the school property. Use the large white mailbox post and the school sign to locate the turn.