“The Montessori approach is child-led,” Director of Operations Maranda Deason said. “All of our [classroom] environments are catered to the children. [The founder of this approach] used the term casa dei bambini, which translates to children's house.”
To reflect this philosophy, Milestone's classroom furniture and utensils are sized for children. All of the art, toilets and sinks in the classrooms are at the child’s height too. This setup promotes independence, as it supports each child’s ability to navigate the environment on their own.
The school serves children from infancy through age 6, with programs for infants, toddlers and primary students. Each classroom is thoughtfully designed to support that age group’s development, encouraging exploration, collaboration and confidence through hands-on learning.
The Montessori method emphasizes individualized learning, allowing children to follow their natural interests. This approach nurtures intrinsic motivation, a sense of ownership and a genuine enthusiasm for learning.
“One of the things that Montessori focuses on is not just ‘How do I take care of myself?’ but ‘How do I take care of my environment?’ and ‘What is my responsibility in being a part of this community,’” Deason said.
To build this awareness, children participate in daily routines such as cleaning their tables, serving themselves from a communal food table and putting their dishes in the dishwasher.
“The hand eye coordination piece starts in the infant environment. ‘How do I get this scoop of yogurt over here to this plate? How do I then carry this plate to the table,’” Deason said. “This seems simple as an adult because we've already mastered these things, but for a child, it helps to build their concentration, and it helps build their confidence and focus.”
At Milestone, teachers are called guides. All lead guides hold a Montessori credential and bring valuable experience from working in Montessori environments. Their deep understanding and passion for the Montessori method help set the school apart. Guides observe each child closely and offer gentle direction to appropriate lessons and activities. This support encourages autonomy and self-discipline, while also helping students make choices within a structured environment, reinforcing their sense of responsibility and agency.
Flexible scheduling options are available, including part-time and full-time enrollment, which both allow students to attend Monday through Friday.
“We're open from 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. [Parents can choose] a half-day or full-day schedule. For children and families who need before and after care, we also have that,” Deason said.
Summer programs, which are more play-based with water activities and art projects, are also offered in four week increments.
For those seeking a nurturing, academically rich environment that prioritizes the whole child, Milestone Montessori offers a meaningful alternative to traditional early childhood education. By cultivating independence, curiosity and a deep respect for each child’s unique potential, the school lays a foundation not only for academic achievement but for lifelong personal growth.
Enrollment is now open for summer programs and the 2025–26 school year. Learn more or sign up at milestonemontessori.com.
The above story was produced by Multi Platform Journalist Sydney Heller with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
