MSOE Moves to Moorestown: An Overview of Our Programs & Impact
Academics
MSOE offers students an education deeply rooted in the philosophy and teachings of Maria Montessori, who believed that learning was best experienced by following key principles. Those principles include hands on learning, Freedom & Responsibility (Independence), Observation, Following the needs of the child where they are at developmentally, allowing for the child to self-correct, creating a Prepared Environment and nurturing their natural characteristics and tendencies. This can be applied across all ages.
MSOE offers students an education deeply rooted in the philosophy and teachings of Maria Montessori, who believed that learning was best experienced by following key principles. Those principles include hands on learning, Freedom & Responsibility (Independence), Observation, Following the needs of the child where they are at developmentally, allowing for the child to self-correct, creating a Prepared Environment and nurturing their natural characteristics and tendencies. This can be applied across all ages.
The Toddler Program (18 months-3 years old) focuses on the child’s innate desire for independence and to understand their environment. Areas of study include:
- Movement - Help me to move by myself
- Communication – Help me to communicate by myself
- Independence – Help me to do it by myself
- Self-Discipline – Help me to be responsible by myself
The Primary Program (3-6 years old) is an authentic Montessori program in which the child is encouraged to become increasingly independent and to become an active participant in the learning process. The Montessori materials within the prepared environment allow each student to progress at his or her own pace. Lessons are given individually or in small groups in an atmosphere of cooperation and non-competitiveness. Older children provide models for younger children and, through the work they do, provide younger children with examples of accomplishment to which to aspire. The children learn such soft skills as conflict resolution, grace and courtesy and mindfulness.
Areas of study include:
Areas of study include:
- language and language skills
- writing and reading
- mathematics,
- science,
- geography
The Adolescent Program (ages 12 to 15) capitalizes on the strengths of an adolescent child like great social development, emerging critical thinking skills, focus on self-concern and assessment and the desire to find one’s place in the world. Areas of study include
- Science Occupations
- Humanities
- Language and Second language
- Mathematics
- Micro-economy
- Self-Expression
- Farm School Experience
STEM Scouts
MSOE is proud to offer STEM Scouts, national pilot program focused on fun ways for girls and boys to learn more about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Students learn by doing using hands-on experiments like those found in a real STEM Lab to invent new technologies and ideas. Participants also develop leadership, problem-solving, teamwork and communications skills – all while being creative and having fun.
MSOE is proud to offer STEM Scouts, national pilot program focused on fun ways for girls and boys to learn more about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Students learn by doing using hands-on experiments like those found in a real STEM Lab to invent new technologies and ideas. Participants also develop leadership, problem-solving, teamwork and communications skills – all while being creative and having fun.
Montessori Model United Nations
MSOE has been a delegate to the MMUN since 2014, with Head of School Matt Simberg serving as President of the MMUN Human Rights Committee in their 10th annual conference. The goal of MMUN is to inspire youth. MMUN students formulate, present, debate, and revise positions on current issues that are affecting people of the world. By assuming the perspectives of a citizen of their selected countries, MMUN students not only develop an understanding of the needs and rights of others, but also learn the respect the cultures, the political views, and the belief system of others.
Taking on their ambassadorial roles in a Model UN simulation, students research the issue that their UN committees will address. Model UN participants learn how the international community acts on its concerns about topics including peace and security, human rights, the rights of the child, child labor, the environment, food and hunger, economic development and globalization.
Camping
MSOE offers both elementary students to go camping once a year for two nights and three days at Camp Ockanickon or sometimes other camps to switch it up. The students learn more independence, socialization, team building skills through games and activities, self-care, games, songs, orienteering, shelter building, fire building, archery, hiking, canoeing, put on skits, crafts, and help with meal set up and clean up.
MSOE has been a delegate to the MMUN since 2014, with Head of School Matt Simberg serving as President of the MMUN Human Rights Committee in their 10th annual conference. The goal of MMUN is to inspire youth. MMUN students formulate, present, debate, and revise positions on current issues that are affecting people of the world. By assuming the perspectives of a citizen of their selected countries, MMUN students not only develop an understanding of the needs and rights of others, but also learn the respect the cultures, the political views, and the belief system of others.
Taking on their ambassadorial roles in a Model UN simulation, students research the issue that their UN committees will address. Model UN participants learn how the international community acts on its concerns about topics including peace and security, human rights, the rights of the child, child labor, the environment, food and hunger, economic development and globalization.
Camping
MSOE offers both elementary students to go camping once a year for two nights and three days at Camp Ockanickon or sometimes other camps to switch it up. The students learn more independence, socialization, team building skills through games and activities, self-care, games, songs, orienteering, shelter building, fire building, archery, hiking, canoeing, put on skits, crafts, and help with meal set up and clean up.
The Arts
MSOE offers both drama and music for elementary students and above. The toddler and primary programs also have these components built in. The drama program includes weekly classes, during which students write their own version of a production. The program culminates with a full performance open to family, friends, and the community. MSOE also offers private piano instruction for students aged 7-12 with award-winning musician and educator Robert Sandole.
MSOE offers both drama and music for elementary students and above. The toddler and primary programs also have these components built in. The drama program includes weekly classes, during which students write their own version of a production. The program culminates with a full performance open to family, friends, and the community. MSOE also offers private piano instruction for students aged 7-12 with award-winning musician and educator Robert Sandole.
Future Programs
- Flying Drones
- Fencing
- Intramural sports
- Robotics
- Chess Club
- Cooking classes for children
- ASL Classes
- Mindfulness and yoga for families
- A monthly book club for families
- A monthly book club for elementary and adolescent students
- A debate club honing concepts like “getting to maybe” and “starting with no”
Our Impact
Since our founding in 2014, MSOE has had the privilege of educating over 100 students between the ages of 18 months to 15 years old. Our enrollment has increased from 16 the first year to over 50 in our fifth year. Since then we have added a toddler and adolescent program with no marketing investment which means that word of mouth based on positive experiences has grown our school. Here’s what some of our parents have to say:
“Our first year with our daughter, D, at MSOE exceeded all of our expectations. The toddler classroom was a warm and inviting environment where D made her first friends, learned how to work independently and embarked on an exciting journey of discovery and language. Within three months, D went from speaking a handful of words to a robust vocabulary and is speaking in full sentences before two and a half. The staff is collaborative, creative, loving and supportive - I can’t think of any place I’d rather my children spend their time. We are so thankful for the grace and courtesy and confidence D has gained through her MSOE experience - and we cannot wait to watch her grow in this amazing community for years to come!” - Toddler Parent
“MSOE provides a unique, respectful, positive, and stress-free environment, where children can learn at their own pace. If your children need more help in a certain subject, they will get it at MSOE. If your children excel in a certain subject, they will be challenged to learn more. At the end of this past school year, we received the results of our children's standardized test scores and learned that they are functioning well above their individual grade levels. Who could ask for more?” - Elementary Parent
“In addition to the academics, there is an emphasis on character development. The children learn conflict resolution, leadership, teamwork, and compassion. We are routinely told by coaches, other parents, and camp counselors, that our children are so polite and well-spoken.” - Elementary and Adolescent Parent
One of the things we are most proud of at MSOE is how much our students love coming to school. Here’s what some of them have to say:
“The Adolescent Program at MSOE takes the freedom and learning style of Montessori and incorporates it into everyday life and learning. You get everything you signed up for in Montessori along with more freedom and more say in what happens in your class, with your class, and what you want to do in the world. My experience with the MSOE Adolescent Program has been phenomenal. This is my first year in the program and I want to stay until I graduate. I hope that the program will expand through high school so I can stay in this wonderful environment for many more years.” - Adolescent Student
“Mr. Matt is always looking for ways to challenge the students so they are excited to come to school and learn. We are never bored at school because the school or Montessori lets us go as far as we can.” - Aidan, age 11
“The adolescent program with Ms. Patty has been great. She always has fun ideas planned. I can tell that she loves to teach, she always thinks outside the box, and always tries to make a lesson fun. Ms. Patty always talks to us in a caring, nurturing way, and she’s a great role model. So far, we’ve started to learn how to make an executive summary in a business plan, we learned about goats and the genetics of goats, and how to organize ourselves when we have lots going on. We visit a working farm once a week, and the beginning of this year in math, we’ve been learning about geometry. I enjoy going to this school because I like the fact that I get to learn in a different way, and do new things that I’ve never done before.” - Student Aged 12
Since our founding in 2014, MSOE has had the privilege of educating over 100 students between the ages of 18 months to 15 years old. Our enrollment has increased from 16 the first year to over 50 in our fifth year. Since then we have added a toddler and adolescent program with no marketing investment which means that word of mouth based on positive experiences has grown our school. Here’s what some of our parents have to say:
“Our first year with our daughter, D, at MSOE exceeded all of our expectations. The toddler classroom was a warm and inviting environment where D made her first friends, learned how to work independently and embarked on an exciting journey of discovery and language. Within three months, D went from speaking a handful of words to a robust vocabulary and is speaking in full sentences before two and a half. The staff is collaborative, creative, loving and supportive - I can’t think of any place I’d rather my children spend their time. We are so thankful for the grace and courtesy and confidence D has gained through her MSOE experience - and we cannot wait to watch her grow in this amazing community for years to come!” - Toddler Parent
“MSOE provides a unique, respectful, positive, and stress-free environment, where children can learn at their own pace. If your children need more help in a certain subject, they will get it at MSOE. If your children excel in a certain subject, they will be challenged to learn more. At the end of this past school year, we received the results of our children's standardized test scores and learned that they are functioning well above their individual grade levels. Who could ask for more?” - Elementary Parent
“In addition to the academics, there is an emphasis on character development. The children learn conflict resolution, leadership, teamwork, and compassion. We are routinely told by coaches, other parents, and camp counselors, that our children are so polite and well-spoken.” - Elementary and Adolescent Parent
One of the things we are most proud of at MSOE is how much our students love coming to school. Here’s what some of them have to say:
“The Adolescent Program at MSOE takes the freedom and learning style of Montessori and incorporates it into everyday life and learning. You get everything you signed up for in Montessori along with more freedom and more say in what happens in your class, with your class, and what you want to do in the world. My experience with the MSOE Adolescent Program has been phenomenal. This is my first year in the program and I want to stay until I graduate. I hope that the program will expand through high school so I can stay in this wonderful environment for many more years.” - Adolescent Student
“Mr. Matt is always looking for ways to challenge the students so they are excited to come to school and learn. We are never bored at school because the school or Montessori lets us go as far as we can.” - Aidan, age 11
“The adolescent program with Ms. Patty has been great. She always has fun ideas planned. I can tell that she loves to teach, she always thinks outside the box, and always tries to make a lesson fun. Ms. Patty always talks to us in a caring, nurturing way, and she’s a great role model. So far, we’ve started to learn how to make an executive summary in a business plan, we learned about goats and the genetics of goats, and how to organize ourselves when we have lots going on. We visit a working farm once a week, and the beginning of this year in math, we’ve been learning about geometry. I enjoy going to this school because I like the fact that I get to learn in a different way, and do new things that I’ve never done before.” - Student Aged 12
631 Chester Ave. Moorestown, NJ | 08057 | 609-832-2546
M.S.O.E. is a registered non-profit 501(c)3 organization. |
NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS
Montessori Seeds of Education, Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, creed, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, marital status, changes in marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status. Montessori Seeds of Education, Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of sex in violation of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 in the educational programs or activities, which it operates. Montessori Seeds of Education, Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of disability in violation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This includes admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs, services, and activities.
© Montessori Seeds of Education. All rights reserved.
Montessori Seeds of Education, Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, creed, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, marital status, changes in marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status. Montessori Seeds of Education, Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of sex in violation of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 in the educational programs or activities, which it operates. Montessori Seeds of Education, Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of disability in violation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This includes admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs, services, and activities.
© Montessori Seeds of Education. All rights reserved.