Maryland Avenue Montessori School is located in the heart of Milwaukee’s historic and culturally diverse East Side. We are a Montessori School for students in K3-Grade 8, providing a well rounded, high quality education which prepares students for life. Maryland Avenue is part of the group of MPS Montessori Schools that offer all children of Milwaukee the benefit of a quality Montessori education from K3 through grade 12. We offer a rigorous curriculum, which enables all students to achieve academically to become critical thinkers and life long learners. Staff, parents and community partners work together to create a learning environment where character development, creativity and high academic achievement are valued.
Academic Success
Our school is committed to creating a dynamic learning environment where all students achieve academic excellence, develop positive character traits and accomplish personal goals as active citizens in our community. The teaching and support staff, with the help of the entire school community, will work to provide all students the opportunity and ability to achieve in their academic endeavors. Through the shared responsibility of students, staff, parents and community, we provide a nurturing and innovative environment where all students are expected to exceed state standards on performance assessments, demonstrate critical thinking, problem solving and clear communication skills, participate in a learning environment that supports a peaceful atmosphere and respectful relations, and make responsible personal choices.
Montessori Program
Our Montessori Program began in the 2001-2002 school year. Every multi-age classroom within the school community gives each child access to specialized Montessori materials and experiences appropriate to their educational and developmental needs as fostered by the methods of Maria Montessori. Students are guided by the Montessori teacher toward developmentally appropriately activities, individually or in small groups, for them to explore and learn. For the 2010-2011 school year, the Montessori classes included five Primary K3 – K5 classes, four Lower Elementary Grades 1-3 classes, three Upper Elementary Grades 4-6 class and an Adolescent Program Grades 7-8. Our two special education teachers focus on using inclusion methods to help each student learn with their peers in the regular education classrooms. All primary classrooms and most elementary classrooms have their own Educational Assistant to provide support working with the Montessori teacher. The Montessori Curriculum presented within the Montessori Philosophy is designed for everyone in the community to develop in all aspects of their personality to the fullest of their potential.
Family/Community Partnerships
Parent and community involvement is very strong at MAM. The PTO is committed to working with the staff and community to enhance student learning and the school community. Parents are also highly involved with the School Governance Council, helping to ensure a quality Montessori program. There are high attendance rates at Parent Teacher Conferences, Montessori Information Sessions, Open House Events, Family Activity Nights and all student performances. The Maryland Avenue Montessori Fund has been developed to raise money to support and enhance the Montessori program.
Parents, UWM students and community members volunteer to tutor, assist in classrooms and participate in material preparation work sessions. Students are connected to the community through service learning projects, and are also encouraged to plan “Going Outs” in order to use the community as a resource for research and discovery. We further our community partnerships by working with the FoodRight, Growing Chefs, Urban Ecology Center, Milwaukee Catholic Home, Artists Working in Education (AWE), Danceworks and local area businesses. A butterfly garden has been developed through the efforts of the PTO and parent volunteers, and beautified by the art specialist working with AWE and the students. Our main Prospect Avenue entrance was developed with parent and community business support and our Maryland Avenue Fund has worked to “green” and develop our playground into a watershed rain garden. Our expansive gardens are lovingly maintained by community volunteers including UW-Extension Master Gardeners.
After School Programs
Maryland Avenue provides an after school camp program run through the Milwaukee Recreation Department for all day students. For a nominal fee, students may stay until 6:00 p.m. where they participate in supervised activities including games, sports, arts and crafts, carnivals, and field trips. After school activities at Maryland Avenue Montessori School include sports teams and clubs, Spanish language classes and tutoring.