Staff Reports
Walnut – The Walnut Valley Montessori School is unique for many reasons. First, it doesn’t simply use the name ‘Montessori, but is sure to incorporate the 100-year-old educational foundations that made Montessori’s name successful. The school also aims to feel like home to its students.
“A lot of parents like the school because it feels like home,” Assistant Director Denise Stephens said. “We’re not a new school, we’re not high-tech; we want children to feel like they’re at home.”
Walnut Valley Montessori also incorporates the Montessori teaching method that was created over 100 years ago. The doctor who started the first Montessori schools studied the development of children from physical, mental and emotional aspects.
“It’s everything coming together,” School Director Pam Koby said. “Children are allowed to progress at their own pace. The teachers have time to sit down with children on individual basis and work with them on whatever problem they’re having.”
Koby, who has been a Montessori teacher for 40 years, said that students are taught a wide variety of not only academic skills, but practical life skills such as concentration and self-esteem as well. Children are instructed in five major areas including practical life, sensorial, language, math and science. There are also opportunities to learn art, music, dance, sign language and other cultural topics.
“There are very rich academics for kids,” Koby said. “It’s fun for them. They don’t even know they’re learning because it’s so much fun for them.”
Students are also taught the importance of manners and respect, as well as how to resolve conflicts amongst others.
“Respect and manners are very important here,” Koby said. “We go by Montessori’s motto of ‘We do not do for the children what they can do for themselves.’”
Walnut Valley Montessori’s classes are small with a 10:1 ratio of students to teachers. The school is open to all children, including infants, no matter what they’re academic progress through the sixth grade. They also welcome preschool children that are not potty trained.
“I love what I do,” Koby said. “I love seeing children who are exceptional and able to meet their potentials.”
Walnut Valley Montessori is located at 650 Camino De Teodoro in Walnut, CA 91789. For more information or to schedule a tour, they can be reached at (909) 598-5936.
