Reston Montessori launches middle school program
By Ellyn Wexler, staff writer
Seven students make up the inaugural class of Reston Montessori School’s Secondary I Program, which extends Montessori education into the middle school years.
The idea grew out of a vision Head of School Eliana Jaoude developed while teaching Upper Elementary students.
“Since I became Head of School a decade ago, my mission has been to grow our school and ensure every child leaves ready to tackle whatever comes next,” Jaoude said. “My true passion is teaching.”
Throughout her tenure, Jaoude has remained involved in the classroom. As an Upper Elementary teacher, she saw how the Montessori approach supported students’ academic and personal growth and began considering what it could offer adolescents.
“I saw firsthand what the program could offer students: the growth, the breadth of the curriculum, and the way it truly speaks to the adolescent child,” she said.
That experience led Jaoude to envision a Montessori middle school. She spent years researching the idea, observing other schools and looking for teachers who shared her vision.
Three years ago, the school laid the groundwork through research, family surveys and community input. Jaoude said the school needed to build the right team and ensure its members received appropriate Montessori adolescent training.
In its inaugural year, the school included sixth- and seventh-graders. Beginning next year, enrollment will be limited to seventh- and eighth-graders.
The small, multi-age setting encourages collaboration and mentorship. Extended, uninterrupted work periods allow students to concentrate on projects. They manage their time, set goals, help make classroom decisions and take responsibility for their work.
One distinctive feature is the Entrepreneurship and Microeconomy initiative. Students partner with local farms and markets to develop sustainable business projects. They plan, budget, implement each one and evaluate the results.
Core subjects include language arts, mathematics, science and humanities. An interdisciplinary curriculum aligns instruction with Fairfax County Public Schools’ seventh- and eighth-grade content standards. Teachers use whole-group, small-group and individual instruction based on each student’s progress.
French is a yearlong core course. Rotating STEM electives include Introduction to Engineering and Basic Coding, while the curriculum incorporates art and music into interdisciplinary projects.
Socratic seminars and community meetings give students opportunities to exchange ideas with classmates. Work plans, checklists and portfolios help them organize their work, reflect on their progress and stay accountable.
Through Montessori Model United Nations, students research global issues, represent countries and develop public speaking and diplomacy skills. Twice-yearly overnight trips and monthly visits to partner Montessori schools allow students to work collaboratively and independently.
Beyond the classroom, service learning, field studies, environmental projects and outreach connect students with local organizations and businesses.
The approach reflects Maria Montessori’s view that adolescence is an important period of personal development, Jaoude said. During adolescence, students develop greater independence while building critical-thinking and decision-making skills.
As students progress toward high school, RMS staff help them navigate the admissions process, prepare for interviews and develop their portfolios. The school plans to grow the program gradually while keeping the setting small.
“We are not simply building a middle school,” Jaoude said. “We are building a community.”
For more information, visit restonmontessori.com/ or call 703-481-2922
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