IMSA
International Montessori STEM Academy
Who Was Maria Montessori?
Maria Montessori (1870–1952) was an Italian physician, educator, and innovator who created a revolutionary approach to early childhood education—one that continues to inspire teachers and parents around the world today.Dr. Montessori was one of the first female doctors in Italy. Through her work with children, she began to observe that when given the freedom to explore a carefully prepared environment, children became deeply focused, independent, and joyful learners. She believed that every child has a natural desire to learn and that education should support this inner drive, rather than impose knowledge from the outside.In 1907, she opened her first school, Casa dei Bambini ("Children’s House"), in a poor neighborhood of Rome. There, she developed hands-on learning materials and methods that respected each child’s pace and interests. Her approach emphasized independence, practical life skills, and a deep respect for the child as a whole person.Today, the Montessori method is practiced in thousands of schools across the world. It is known for encouraging curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and a love of lifelong learning—starting from the earliest years.At our school, we follow Dr. Montessori’s principles to create an environment where children feel respected, capable, and free to become their best selves.
What Do Children Do in a Montessori Classroom?
In a Montessori classroom, children learn by doing. Instead of traditional desks and lectures, the environment is filled with hands-on learning materials that are carefully designed to match each stage of a child’s development.
Children are free to move around, choose their own activities, and work independently or in small groups. They practice everyday life skills like pouring, cleaning, cooking, and caring for plants. They explore math, language, science, geography, and art using concrete materials that make abstract concepts easy to understand.
Montessori education emphasizes respect, concentration, and a deep love of learning. Children learn to manage their time, solve problems, and care for their community—all at their own pace.
A Global Education Movement
There are over 20,000 Montessori schools in more than 110 countries around the world. From small community classrooms to international academies, Montessori education is embraced across cultures and continents for its focus on independence, creativity, and inner motivation.
United States
There are over 5,000 Montessori schools in the United States, ranging from private preschools to public elementary and charter schools. Of these, more than 3,000 are private schools, while over 500 are part of the public school system. The popularity of Montessori education continues to grow across the country, supported by major organizations such as the American Montessori Society (AMS) and the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI).
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Montessori School of Lake Forest (Illinois): One of the oldest and most established AMS-affiliated schools.
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Public Montessori programs exist in cities like Milwaukee, Denver, and San Diego, offering tuition-free Montessori education in public school settings.
United Kingdom
The U.K. has over 700 Montessori schools, supported by the Montessori Centre International.
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Maria Montessori Institute (London): Offers teacher training and operates model schools based on Dr. Montessori’s original vision.
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Montessori education is also incorporated into early childhood education programs across the country.
Europe (Continental)
Europe is home to an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 Montessori schools, with strong representation in countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, France, and Italy. In the Netherlands and some parts of Scandinavia, Montessori principles are even integrated into public education systems. Interest in Montessori education continues to grow across Europe, both in private and public settings.
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École Montessori Internationale de Bordeaux (France): A bilingual Montessori school offering authentic Montessori education in both French and English.
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Montessori Schule Berlin (Germany): Known for combining Montessori principles with environmental education.
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Many European countries integrate Montessori methods into national curricula for preschool.
Japan
Montessori education arrived in Japan in the 1920s and continues to grow.
There are estimated to be between 800 and 1,000 Montessori schools and preschools. Most are early childhood programs, with a growing number of elementary-level and international Montessori schools. Montessori education has been gaining renewed interest in Japan, especially among parents seeking a more child-centered and hands-on approach.
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Tamagawa Gakuen (Tokyo): One of the earliest adopters of Montessori principles in Japan.
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Kuwasawa Gakuen (Tokyo): Offers Montessori teacher training and preschool programs.
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Today, many Japanese Montessori schools blend the method with cultural traditions, emphasizing harmony, care for the group, and respect for nature.
Famous Montessori Alumni – Around the World
Montessori education has shaped the early lives of many influential people in diverse fields:
Jeff Bezos – Founder of Amazon
Larry Page & Sergey Brin – Founders of Google
Taylor Swift – Grammy-winning singer-songwriter
Gabriel García Márquez – Nobel Prize-winning author
Will Wright – Creator of The Sims
Yo-Yo Ma – World-renowned cellist
Jimmy Wales – Co-founder of Wikipedia
Helen Hunt – Academy Award-winning actress
George Clooney – Actor and philanthropist
From Japan
Sota Fujii – Professional shogi (Japanese chess) player and youngest-ever holder of multiple major titles. Fujii attended a Montessori preschool, where his intense focus and self-driven curiosity were nurtured. His early experiences with Montessori materials, especially puzzles and geometry-based tools, are often cited as foundational to his exceptional talent in strategy and logic.
Masaru Ibuka – Co-founder of Sony, a strong advocate of Montessori education in Japan.
Hayao Miyazaki – While not a Montessori student himself, the themes of independence, nature, and wonder in his films reflect Montessori values.
Discover, Explore, Innovate
The Montessori Science Way
One of the unique aspects of our classroom is that we are based in Karuizawa, surrounded by rich natural beauty. We incorporate outdoor play and exploration as an essential part of our daily rhythm. Through hands-on experiences, we connect children with nature and introduce them to the wonders of science in meaningful, joyful ways.
Where Montessori principles and scientific inquiry come together to ignite lifelong curiousity and innovation.
Curiousity
Independence
Profound love for the natural world
Language services
We offer lessons in both English and Japanese.
ENGLISH Montessori
COURSE
JAPANESE
にほんごもんて
COURSE