Growing Up: Montessori In Town

“How did that tree get to be so tall, Grandpa? How did it get so tall?”

And the grandpa answers: “When it started, it was just a seed. Then it grew and grew and grew and grew, but it only grew a little at a time.”

That’s just the opening of a favorite and well-worn children’s book, “A Little At A Time,” by David A. Adler (Random House, 1976).

“A little at a time” is also a wise way to grow almost any business. And now, after six years serving intown children ages 3-6, Montessori In Town is growing to include an elementary school program for ages 7-9 — or lower elementary grades first, second and third.

Maureen Walter, of Inman Park, realized a longtime goal in 2005 when she started Montessori In Town. Until then, there had not been a Montessori program directly serving families in and around the Virginia-Highland, Midtown and East Atlanta areas. Walter spent 25 years working as a Montessori educator and teacher trainer, but had to put many miles on her car to do so. The schools for which she worked were in places such as Sandy Springs and southwest Atlanta.

As her own two kids began to head toward college, Walter felt she had the time required to bring a Montessori program to the community she’s called home for more than 30 years.

“For me, there was a real impetus to have a Montessori program right here in my own neighborhood,” Walter said. “There were waiting lists for so many preschools, and there were more young families moving into intown. I knew those families needed more choices.”

She opened Montessori In Town with just seven students in 2005 at the Druid Hills Baptist Church at the corner of Ponce de Leon and North Highland avenues. That first year, she grew from seven to 11 to 20 students in a primary classroom for ages 3-6.

By growing a little at a time, Montessori In Town this past school year had 77 students, counting those at a second location in Grant Park. The lease could not be renewed in Grant Park for the forthcoming school year, but all of the families from that location are sticking with the program and transferring to the Poncey-Highland locale.

The 2011-12 school term, which begins Aug. 18, will have three primary classrooms and one classroom for lower elementary students (the equivalent of grades first through third). All classrooms are spacious and located in the education building behind the church.

Many moons ago, Maureen Walter saw herself becoming a high school English teacher, but was “totally turned off by the low level of expectation.” She embraced Montessori — founded in 1929 by Dr. Maria Montessori — because of its focus on “respect for human potential and development,” Walter said. “Also, one gets to have a lot of fun. To me, that’s what learning should be: the fun of discovery. It’s not about me or anyone giving information that children have to spit back. It’s about supporting each and every child in their own self discovery and growth.”

Montessori is “child-centered education,” designed to grow as a child grows, which is one reason ages are mixed in one classroom. Emphasis is placed on fostering independence, exploration, and self-confidence. Children are encouraged to develop their individual interests and talents. Older children often work alongside and assist the younger children.

That is one of the things John McFall, artistic director of the Atlanta Ballet, appreciates about the program. McFall and wife Paige have two daughters who are eager learners at Montessori In Town. The elder of the two is Stella Blu, 7, who will enter Montessori In Town’s inaugural elementary program. (She began Montessori education at age 14 months, so already has five years under her belt. Little sister Tallulah, 4, is in the primary program).

“I love the concept of the children preparing things for each other, ” McFall said. “There’s a certain kind of grace and courtesy in their sociability as they serve each other. If you observe them, you will notice how thoughtful they are, how well they enjoy listening and responding to everything. They collaborate and participate as a little community, yet they are so aware of everything on the planet.”

Above all, McFall said, he loves his daughters’ “absolute joy in learning. Every day, there is so much joy as they go through that door where they are so eager to learn. They look forward to each and every day. When I look back on my own experience, I didn’t enjoy one day of school.”

He also has high praise for Maureen Walter, “who in some ways is like a kid herself,” McFall said. “She is a stand-alone individual. Did you know she dressed up as Marcel Marceau (famous French mime artist) one day and didn’t speak all day long? That’s the kind of creativity I’m thinking of.”

Walter laughed when asked about her day of not speaking.

“That was International Day, and we came in costumes,” she said. “I conducted my best class ever and didn’t speak all day. The children were enthralled.”

Information: Montessori In Town, 1085 Ponce de Leon Ave., also offers the weeklong Camp Ladybug in the summers (half day program), with some spaces still available for the July 18 session. For more information on Montessori In Town: www.montessoriintown.com, 404-784-1038. For more information on Montessori education: www.montessori-ami.org