© 2024 Traveling Montessori. All rights reserved.

Traveling Montessori Community

Manual
Introduction to the community
Our Vision
A Brief Overview of The Montessori Approach
Admissions and Enrollment
Eligibility Criteria
Application Process
Important Dates
Itinerary Overview
Curriculum and Daily Life
Curriculum Structure
Montessori Days Schedule
Friday Field Trips
Travel and Accommodations
Health, Safety, and Well-being
Child Progress and Communication
Technology Policy
Behavior and Discipline
Diversity and Inclusion
Financial Information
Tuition Fees
Additional One Time Fees
Refund Policy
Next Steps

© 2024 Traveling Montessori. All rights reserved.

Introduction to the community

Welcome! We're thrilled to invite you to explore our unique Montessori community,
where learning transcends the traditional classroom.

Montessori is all about learning by doing and being curious about the world. It teaches
kids to be independent thinkers and problem-solvers. When we travel, these skills come
to life in the best way possible.

In this traveling Montessori community, your child’s academic learning will be led by
certified Montessori guides in a pop-up classroom equipped with the most essential
physical Montessori materials for their age and developmental stage.

They will also learn how to navigate the world with confidence, respect, and a sense of
wonder as we explore and immerse in local cultures.

This manual serves as your guide, outlining the philosophies, practices, and practicalities
of our traveling Montessori community.

Thank you for wanting to be a part of this adventure. Together, we're not just traveling; we're
transforming how children learn.

Our Vision

Our vision is to create a community that values not only the Montessori approach to
education but also collaboration, kindness, slow and intentional technology use,
knowledge sharing, and general wellness for the family unit.

© 2024 Traveling Montessori. All rights reserved.

A Brief Overview of The Montessori Approach
The Montessori approach to education is a distinctive and influential method developed
by Dr. Maria Montessori in the early 20th century. It emphasizes child-centered learning,
where students are encouraged to explore and learn at their own pace within a prepared
environment. This method stands out for its belief in children's natural development and
the importance of adapting the learning environment to fit the needs of each child at
different stages of their growth.

One of the core principles of the Montessori approach is the focus on hands-on learning
and practical life skills. Children in Montessori classrooms engage with a variety of
educational materials designed to foster sensory, motor, and cognitive development.
These materials are carefully crafted to be self-correcting, which promotes independence
and problem-solving skills as children work through tasks on their own or in small groups.

Montessori classrooms are known for their mixed-age groups, which mimic the structure
of a community and encourage peer learning. Older students often mentor younger
ones, facilitating a sense of responsibility and belonging. The role of the teacher in this
setting is more of a guide than a traditional instructor, observing and supporting the
children as they discover their interests and abilities.

Autonomy is a key element of the Montessori method. The approach fosters

independence by allowing children the freedom to choose their activities within certain
guidelines. This autonomy boosts their confidence and self-esteem, empowering them to
become lifelong learners. The Montessori philosophy also extends beyond academic
skills, aiming to nurture the whole child, including their social, emotional, and physical
development.

Overall, the Montessori approach to education offers a unique and effective alternative to
traditional methods. Its emphasis on individualized learning, hands-on experiences, and
holistic child development has made it a gold standard for education worldwide.

Additional information about Montessori:

Book: Montessori: A Modern Approach: The Classic Introduction to Montessori for

Parents and Teachers
Short Video: Montessori: The Elementary Years

© 2024 Traveling Montessori. All rights reserved.

Admissions and Enrollment

Eligibility Criteria
Open to children ages 6-12 (we will hold a few open spots for siblings between the ages
of 3-6), with or without previous Montessori experience.

**Prior Montessori experience is preferred. At the minimum, your family needs to fully
understand and be committed to the Montessori method and understand that this is an
academic program following the Montessori curriculum.

Application Process
Read this document thoroughly.
Submit your application: https://form.jotform.com/240938421049053
Schedule a call to ensure alignment with our community's values.
Pay your deposit within 48 hours of being offered a spot in the program.

Important Dates
May 1: Applications for the 2024-2025 year are due. Please click here to complete your
application (make sure you have read through this document first!)
May 1-May 15: Family interviews are scheduled. The link to book your interview is
provided after the application is submitted.
48 Hours post call: Deposits due to secure your spots.
July 1: First tuition payment due.

© 2024 Traveling Montessori. All rights reserved.

Itinerary Overview

2024-2025 Locations (Locations are subject to change)

September 4 October 24 7 Weeks Turkiye

October 29 December 13 7 Weeks Cyprus

December 13 January 12 4 Weeks Break

January 13 February 28 7 Weeks Morocco

March 1 April 18 7 Weeks France (South)

April 18 May 4 2 Weeks Break

May 5 June 20 7 Weeks Spain (South)

Curriculum and Daily Life

Curriculum Structure
Our curriculum covers all academic subjects through the lens of our location, where
applicable (history and cultural studies), using authentic Montessori materials and led by
certified Montessori guides.

** Please note this is a SECULAR curriculum. Children will however, be studying religion
from a global and historical viewpoint.

Montessori Days Schedule

Monday- Thursday (Montessori Classroom Days)
9:00-9:15: Greetings and free exploration
9:15-9:30: Community meeting & setting intentions for the day
9:30-12:00: First Montessori work period to include one-on-one meetings to review daily
goals and work plans (snack during this work time as needed/facilitated by the child)
12:00-1:00: Lunch set up and outside and/or quiet time
1:00-2:30: Afternoon enrichment and project-based work time (music, art, cultural,
history)

© 2024 Traveling Montessori. All rights reserved.

2:30-3:00: Clean up, closing circle with gratitude

Friday Field Trips

Field trips are planned based on classroom work, with the planning done alongside
children. The timing will vary and be communicated the week before to allow for parent
planning. Parental involvement is required on field trip days to ensure the safety and
well-being of all the children and to build community.

Travel and Accommodations

Parents are responsible for organizing travel to and from each location and securing
accommodations.

Parents will be provided with the location of the classroom space so they can find
accommodations with respect to that central classroom space.

Please note we are not travel agents and cannot fully assist in this, but we hope to work
together as a community to find the best accommodations for all.

Health, Safety, and Well-being

Our guides are certified Montessori guides with many years of experience and will be
certified in CPR and first aid.

We can support children with different learning styles and needs, so long as they can fully
participate in an engaging learning environment.

Please note, however, that we CANNOT support children with behavioral issues or
learning disabilities that make it difficult for them to actively participate in a
dynamic classroom setting.

A separate agreement will be sent to participating families regarding handling illness in

the classroom and guidelines around health, safety, allergies, etc.

© 2024 Traveling Montessori. All rights reserved.

Child Progress and Communication
Student progress is assessed through observations and regular parent-teacher
communication ensuring personalized feedback and support. There will be no
standardized or official testing done.

Technology Policy
To maintain our focus on intentional learning, technology use is limited to educational
tools and resources as directed and closely supervised by the guides. Gamified learning is
not used in the classroom.

We have a strict NO personal devices in the classroom policy (unless specificlly directed
by the guide to be used for a specific educational purpose). This includes tablets,
laptops/Chromebooks, smart watches, phones, gaming systems, MP3 players etc.

Older students MAY be asked to bring a laptop (no tablets) to use for research or writing
purposes. If they do, they must have the maturity and self-control to only use it for that
purpose.

**We will not tolerate managing screen time use/access inside the classroom.

Please understand we are cultivating a community, in general, that does not promote or
glorify gaming culture, using screens as babysitters, unsupervised use of YouTube or the
internet, social media for kids, violent or sexually explicit content, and generally steers
away from consumer technology for the health and well-being of the child.

Our community generally values limiting screen time for children and following a slow
and intentional approach to introducing technology that focuses on responsible use,
self-regulation, and using technology as a tool vs. strictly for entertainment. With the
understanding that using technology as entertainment isn’t inherently wrong (we love a
good movie night!) but should not consume a large part of a child’s daily life.

We ask that parents who join our community feel aligned with this value. If your family
chooses to allow screen time, it should be done privately and we ask that it does not
overflow or impact the community.

© 2024 Traveling Montessori. All rights reserved.

Behavior and Discipline

Our approach to discipline is rooted in Montessori principles, emphasizing respect,

independence, community-mindedness, grace and courtesy. We also focus on natural
consequences, conflict resolution, and setting and enforcing healthy boundaries.

There will be no shaming, punishment, timeouts, yelling, or other unhealthy forms of

discipline, and we ask that parents feel aligned with this in their parenting approach at
home.

Diversity and Inclusion

Our community is deeply committed to nurturing an environment where diversity and
inclusion flourish, recognizing the unique journey of each individual as the cornerstone of
our collective growth.

We will celebrate the variety of perspectives, backgrounds, and abilities that each
member brings to our community, ensuring every voice is heard and valued.

This commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is integral to fostering the holistic
development that is at the heart of Montessori philosophy, promoting a sense of
belonging and mutual respect within our community.

© 2024 Traveling Montessori. All rights reserved.

Financial Information

Tuition Fees
FULL PROGRAM: FALL, WINTER, AND SPRING TERMS
**Priority is given to families who commit to the entire program (3 terms).

TERM 1 (fall) September 4 October 24 7 Weeks

TERM 1 (fall) October 29 December 13 7 Weeks

BREAK December 13 January 12 4 Weeks

TERM 2 (winter) January 13 February 28 7 Weeks

TERM 2 (winter) March 1 April 18 7 Weeks

BREAK April 18 May 4 2 Weeks

TERM 3 (spring) May 5 June 20 7 Weeks

Cost for the entire program (3 terms):

$10,000 USD per academic year, September 4, 2024, through June 20, 2025.

Cost per term (priority given to families that commit to full program)

Term 1 Term 2 Term 3

FALL TERM WINTER TERM SPRING TERM

Length: 14 weeks Length: 14 weeks Length: 7 weeks
Dates: September 4, 2024- Dates: January 13, 2025- Dates: May 5, 2025- June
December 13, 2024 April 18, 2025 20, 2025
Cost: $4500 Cost: $4500 Cost: $2500

Tuition covers the following:

- Montessori guide stipend
- Room rental fees
- Daily healthy snacks + flex lunch options TBD (Monday-Thursday)

** We are unable to offer financial assistance at this time.

© 2024 Traveling Montessori. All rights reserved.

Additional One Time Fees
- $500 USD registration fee per child (deducted from the remaining balance of
tuition and non-refundable unless the program does not launch, which is highly
unlikely)
- $500 USD administration fee per child (materials, associated administrative costs
such as communication, printing, shipping, etc for the year)

Refund Policy
Refunds are ONLY available if the program doesn’t launch.

If a family needs to break their contract and leave early, a refund of 80% of tuition will be
given IF, AND ONLY IF, we can fill their spots.

Next Steps
Submit your application using the link below.

https://form.jotform.com/240938421049053

© 2024 Traveling Montessori. All rights reserved.