About

Measuring Success

How are Montessori schools different?

Individualized Learning

A child’s learning style determines how lessons are presented and learned. Learning activities are chosen based on an ongoing assessment of the child’s abilities, interests, and need for challenges, as well as curriculum demands. The child sets his/her own learning pace.
Mixed-age Classrooms

Children spend up to three years with the same teachers. Mixed-age groups encourage interaction between older and younger children; older children become role models for younger children. Children are encouraged to teach, help, and collaborate with one another.
Expert Teachers

Teachers are state-certified and have Montessori training and certifications. Teacher interest/investment in each child’s emotional, social, and aesthetic needs is a key component of Montessori education.
Small Group Learning

Teachers guide children one-on-one or in small groups through hands-on lessons, allowing each child to complete as much as possible on his/her own; each child is actively learning with each activity. Average of 12 students per classroom teacher (children under 3 years - 1:4 or 1:7).
Self-teaching Materials

Enticing self-teaching materials are designed to suit the child’s natural curiosity and attention span, reward exploration, and invite repetition. Active learning allows children to develop confidence through physical exploration—being able to pick up, handle, and manipulate learning tools.
Mastery of Concepts

Children choose work based on their own interests and abilities and are encouraged to work as long as they choose. Children get “internal” rewards (feelings of success) for learning. Children having difficulty are encouraged to try again later and redirected to another activity. Children are rewarded for efforts and completing learning tasks through objective, encouraging feedback.
Emphasis on Independence

Children routinely organize time and sequence of learning activities building self-care, self-reliance, and independence. Students select, arrange, and implement their own projects based on the curriculum.
Personal Responsibility

All learning is approached from the belief that all things are connected, all actions and decisions have causes and effects, and we are responsible for caring for the environment. Teaching includes respect for self and others, self-control, responsibility, the importance of completing tasks, organization, and academic subjects.
Social Development

Children work where they feel comfortable, move about and talk quietly; and can choose to work together. Participation in community projects is integral to Montessori education.

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How do Montessori Schools Measure Success?

Montessori schools are unique in their approach to measuring student success.

West Side Montessori focuses on nurturing a love of learning by teaching children how to work, including: organizing time and space; accepting responsibility for their own learning; taking appropriate risks; respecting the environment and the needs of others; and creating a democratic community.

Success in reaching these goals is measured in a number of ways including: teacher observations, self-correcting work, work plans, student self-evaluations, performance rubrics, portfolios of written work, weekly reports to parents, parent conferences, grade cards, student presentations and, to a lesser degree, content specific tests.

Does West Side Montessori Use Assessments?

At West Side Montessori, we use the MAP Growth tests as an additional tool to monitor students' academic progress.

These assessments are introduced in 2nd grade, and the students continue to take the tests until the end of 8th grade. We are committed to making sure that our students never feel over-tested or that any assessments we give them are for no purpose.

Read more about MAP Growth Assessments.

Read about our distinguished alumni:

Portrait of a Graduate

Toledo Campus

Toddler – Middle School
7115 W. Bancroft St.
Toledo, OH 43615
(419) 866-1931

Perrysburg Campus

Toddler – Kindergarten
13587 Roachton Rd.
Perrysburg, OH 43551
(419) 874-9385

West Side Montessori is an independent, accredited Montessori school educating children 13 months through 8th grade (preschool, kindergarten, elementary school, and middle school). We are one of the leading private schools in Toledo and the nation.

WSM does not discriminate on the basis of ethnic origin, race, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability in the administration of its admission policy, educational policy, or any school-administered program.

Measuring Success

How are Montessori schools different?

Individualized Learning

Mixed-age Classrooms

Expert Teachers

Small Group Learning

Self-teaching Materials

Mastery of Concepts

Emphasis on Independence

Personal Responsibility

Social Development

How do Montessori Schools Measure Success?

Does West Side Montessori Use Assessments?

Toledo Campus

Perrysburg Campus