HMS & Montessori FAQs

What hours is OKC Heartland Montessori open?   
Half day school is from 8:15 - 11:45 am. Full day school is from 8:15 - 3:00 pm. After School is 3:00 - 6:00 pm.

 

How much does it cost to attend?
Tuition varies based on whether your child attends 3 or 5 days a week, and whether they attend half days or full days. Please visit the OKC Heartland Montessori Tuition Page to see all our tuition rates.

 

What age students do you accept?

We serve preschool, pre-K and Kindergarten-age students, from 3-6 years old. Students must be toilet trained.

 

What is your student:teacher ratio?

During the academic year, our maximum student:teacher ratio is 8:1.

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What is the difference between Montessori and traditional education?
Montessori emphasizes learning through all five senses, not just through listening, watching, or reading. Children in Montessori classes learn at their own individual pace and according to their own choice of activities from hundreds of possibilities. They are not required to sit and listen to a teacher talk to them as a group, but are engaged in individual or group activities of their own, with materials that have been introduced to them by the teacher who knows what each child is ready to do. Learning is an exciting process of discovery, leading to concentration, motivation, self-discipline, and a love of learning. Above age six children learn to do autonomous research by arranging field trips to gather information, interviewing specialists, and creating group presentations. They also engage in dramas, musical productions, science projects, story writing, and so forth. There is no limit to what they create in this kind of intelligently guided freedom. There are no text books or rigid schedules. There is great respect for the choices of the children and they easily keep up with or surpass what they would be doing in a more traditional setting. Through independent choice and exploration, children enjoy their work and study. The children observe each other, ask each other for lessons and much of the learning comes from sharing and inspiring each other instead of competing.

 

Are Montessori schools religious?

No. Montessori educates children without reference to any religious denomination. As a result, our classrooms are

extremely diverse, with representation from all peoples, cultures and religions.

 

Is Montessori a franchise? Who can open a Montessori school?

The term Montessori is not trademarked and anyone, regardless of training, experience or affiliation can open a “Montessori” school. It is essential that parents researching Montessori act as good consumers and do their research to ensure the authenticity of their chosen program.

 

If children are free to choose their own work, how do you ensure that they

receive a well-rounded education?

Montessori children are free to choose within limits, and have only as much freedom as they can handle with appropriate responsibility. The classroom teacher and assistant ensure that children do not interfere with each other, and that each child is progressing at her appropriate pace in all subjects.

 

Who accredits Montessori schools?

Dr. Maria Montessori founded the Association Montessori Internationale in 1929 to preserve her legacy. AMI ensures that Montessori schools and teachers are both well-grounded in the basic principles of the method and ready to carry those principles forward in the modern educational world. AMI offers teacher training and conferences, approves the production of Montessori materials and books, and, through their AMI-USA branch office, accredits schools. American Montessori Schools are also accredited by the American Montessori Society (AMS), and many teachers and teacher training programs are also certified by AMS. ALL teachers at OKCHMS have a Master's degree in early childhood education, and are certified by AMS or AMI.

 

Is OKC Heartland Montessori DHS licensed in Oklahoma?

Yes, we are licensed by Oklahoma DHS (Department of Human Services).

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Will my child be prepared for 1st grade after attending HMS?
Yes, very. Montessori classrooms encourage deep learning of the concepts behind academic skills rather than rote practice of abstract techniques.