St. Peter’s Montessori program, nestled within a beautifully and thoughtfully renovated house on the corner of Mulberry and First St., stands as a beacon of progressive learning, emphasizing the transformative power of Montessori education in shaping young minds.

Amidst the bustle of downtown Mansfield, students quietly move through a house dedicated to their learning, selecting carefully prepared trays of educational activities, unrolling their rugs and setting to work learning for the day. 

With a commitment to Maria Montessori’s philosophy of child-centered learning, St. Peter’s Montessori program, founded in 1976 has become a model of excellence in providing a nurturing and enriching environment for children ages three to six years old. 

According to Dr. Cassandra Parente, Director of Strategic Initiatives at St. Peter’s School, a recent review of standardized test scores for students in K-8 revealed that Montessori program alums outperformed their peers in math, reading, and science. Parente goes on to note that, “62% of students selected for the school’s Gifted and Talented program had their start in St. Peter’s Montessori program.”

Parente’s conclusion aligns with nationwide research studies. A meta-analysis published in the journal Science found that Montessori students outperformed peers in academic and social-emotional development, demonstrating higher levels of creativity, motivation, and executive function. Longitudinal studies such as those published in Frontiers in Psychology and the Journal of Educational Psychology also show that Montessori graduates exhibit greater levels of academic achievement, leadership skills, and overall well-being compared to counterparts in traditional educational settings.

Parent of four St. Peter’s Montessori students, Angela Rosato-Mulherin explains that “the magic of a Montessori education appears in everyday, small ways in our home among our four children. My 3-year-old son, Jude, always curious and learning, notices shapes and letters in nature. My rising kindergartener, 4-year-old Mirabel, reminds her brothers to push in their chairs, put their toys away, and keep their workspace neat and tidy. My two older Montessori graduates, Oliver (9) and Gabriel (7) became early readers and developed a foundational love of learning from their time in the Montessori house. The home-like setting creates the perfect environment to teach children the transition between home and school.”

Rooted in the philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori, St. Peter’s program “prioritizes independence, exploration, and hands-on learning, setting the stage for lifelong success,” according to Montessori Director Dr. Ashley Rastorfer. “Emphasizing children’s choice,” Rastorfer adds, “Montessori offers a personalized learning experience, allowing students to choose their own individual and unique learning paths to meet the state standards.”

In this way, the Montessori philosophy aligns with St. Peter’s School’s overall focus on providing an educational environment where every student is “known, valued, and loved.”

Under the guidance of dedicated Montessori educators, children at St. Peter’s School are encouraged to follow their natural curiosity and interests, fostering a love for learning that extends far beyond the classroom. As teacher Michelle O’Neil explains, “ A child’s interests are ever-changing, so allowing them to focus on the area that they are wanting to learn about results in a stronger understanding of the subject.” 

Teachers meticulously design each room of the house to stimulate the senses and inspire exploration, with carefully curated materials that engage children in meaningful ways. 

Montessori teacher, Jess Berry describes that  “whether it’s sorting objects in the sensorial room, taking nature walks to search for signs of spring, exploring continent boxes to ultimately make their own world map in the social studies room, or tracing sandpaper letters in the reading room, every aspect of the Montessori curriculum is designed to ignite a child’s innate curiosity and love for learning, and engage multiple senses at once to form a rich tapestry of learning experiences.”

One of Montessori’s defining features is its focus on mixed-age classrooms.

“As students progress through the multi-year program, they experience it differently each year,” O’Neil explains. “Joining as young as two and a half, they begin by exploring and watching the older students. By the time they are ready to graduate the program, they become mentors for the younger children. It comes full circle as they begin setting the example that they learned from.”

As the sole Montessori program in the county, its importance cannot be overstated. Laurie McKeon, St. Peter’s Head of School, explains that “the St. Peter’s Montessori program exemplifies all we do here at St. Peter’s School. Recognizing the uniqueness of every student, the Montessori method encourages even our youngest learners to be active participants in their education. With its hands-on and experiential approach, St. Peter’s Montessori program naturally engages students, building a strong foundation of intellectual curiosity, independent learning, and the joy of discovery. We are delighted to have such a well regarded and highly effective educational program here at St. Peter’s.” 

As parent Rosato-Mulherin notes, “We couldn’t be more grateful to have this unique and highly esteemed educational opportunity in our community.” 

As St. Peter’s School celebrates its achievements, it remains committed to providing a nurturing and inclusive learning environment for children accessible to all Richland County families. Jennifer Jones, St. Peter’s Director of Admissions and Enrollment explains that “the goal of St. Peter’s Admissions and Finance Offices is to make this valuable learning model available across Mansfield and neighboring cities by keeping enrollment costs affordable and offering financial aid options. We have families driving from as far away as Ashland and Shelby to bring their preschoolers here. Once families realize the commute is reasonable, they are eager to enroll in kindergarten the next year through to 12th grade.”

With its unwavering dedication to excellence and innovation, St. Peter’s Montessori looks forward to inspiring and empowering the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and changemakers and invites prospective preschool and Kindergarten families to their Discover Montessori event on April 24, 2024 from 5:30-7:30 pm.

During the event, families will have the opportunity to explore the Montessori House and Kindergarten classrooms, meet our passionate educators, and experience firsthand the magic of Montessori education. 

Seating is limited and we expect a full house! We encourage attendees to RSVP as soon as possible and take the first step towards unlocking your child’s potential. 

For more information and to RSVP, please contact Jennifer Jones at jones.jennifer@myspartans.org.