Montessori education was founded by Dr. Maria Montessori, the first female physician  in Italy. She started the first “Children’s House” (or “casa dei bambini”) in Rome in 1907.  She based her educational methods on scientific observation of children's learning processes. Dr. Montessori designed a "prepared environment" in which children could freely choose from a number of developmentally appropriate activities.  A century later, Montessori education is found all over the world, spanning ages from birth to adolescence.

Children in Montessori classes learn at their own individual pace and according to their own choice of activities from a classroom full of possibilities. Montessori education focuses on concentration, motivation, self-discipline, and a love of learning. The children are placed in multi-year age groups (3-6 for primary and 6-12 for elementary), forming communities in which the older children spontaneously share their knowledge with the younger ones. Montessori is designed to help all children reach their fullest potential at their own unique pace. A classroom whose children have varying abilities is a community in which everyone learns from one another and everyone contributes. Moreover, multi-age grouping allows each child to find his or her own pace without feeling "ahead" or "behind" in relation to peers.

The work day starts with a three-hour work cycle in the morning; lessons are given individually or in small groups while other students in the class continue work that has already been presented.   The afternoon work cycle is shorter, but still consists of individual and group work, along with scheduled and spontaneous lessons. The purpose of long, uninterrupted blocks of work time is to allow students to select work freely, eventually becoming absorbed in work that has a particular fascination for them at this point in their development.

With the exception of infant/toddler groups, the teaching ratio is usually one trained Montessori teacher and one non-teaching aide to 30+ children. Rather than lecturing to large groups, teachers work with one child, or a small group of children at a time, and oversee thirty or more children working on a broad array of tasks. The Montessori teacher is adept in the basic lessons of math, language, the arts and sciences, and also in guiding a child's research and exploration, capitalizing on his or her interest in and excitement about a subject.

Assessment is by portfolio and the teacher's observation and record keeping. Formal parent conferences are held twice a year in order to discuss a student’s progress. The test of whether or not the system is working lies in the accomplishment and behavior of the children, their happiness, maturity, kindness, and love of learning and level of work.