Montessori at Vickery serves children ages 13 months to 9 years. Our Montessori programs include Toddlers, Primary, Lower Elementary, and Upper Elementary, allowing your child to grow within one nurturing and consistent school community. Families looking for Montessori schools in the Cumming area often appreciate that their little ones can remain in a familiar, prepared environment while continuing to build confidence, academic skills, and independence over time.

The best way to begin is by scheduling a personal tour of our campus at 6285 Post Road in Cumming, Georgia. During your visit, you can explore our Montessori classrooms, observe students learning with authentic Montessori materials, and meet our guides and leadership team. We understand that parents often have questions about the Montessori philosophy, multi-age classrooms, and how the Montessori method differs from traditional schools. Our team takes the time to carefully explain our educational approach so that you can feel informed and comfortable throughout the process. Joann Bauer, School Leader at Montessori at Vickery, explains that one of the most important parts of enrollment is “having the parent trusting the school, teachers, school leader, and admin staff.” We work hard to build that trust from the very first conversation.

Readiness is not about being academically advanced. It is about whether your child feels emotionally ready to begin learning within a respectful classroom environment. At Montessori at Vickery, your little one is supported to learn at their own pace. Dr. Maria Montessori believed that every child possesses an absorbent mind and an innate love of learning. Our guides carefully observe your child and introduce new lessons when they are developmentally ready. This individualized Montessori approach allows your child to build confidence naturally while developing self-reliance, focus, and social interaction skills within the classroom community.

Yes. Montessori at Vickery offers full-day educational programs Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 6:30 PM. A full-day Montessori experience allows your little one to fully engage in uninterrupted work cycles, outdoor learning, collaborative lessons, independent work, and social development opportunities throughout the day. Your child is given the time and space to explore concepts deeply, moving through the day with intention rather than interruption. This rhythm supports the whole child emotionally, socially, physically, and academically.

Montessori at Vickery combines individualized academics with a nurturing, student-centered environment that fosters independence, global awareness, and strong character development. Our Montessori classrooms are bright, spacious, and thoughtfully prepared with authentic educational materials that encourage purposeful learning. Each classroom also has access to outdoor learning environments, including gardens, water features, playground equipment, and covered outdoor classroom spaces. Families also appreciate our AMS accreditation, strong communication with parents, and our commitment to helping your little one become a self-motivated learner who genuinely loves school and learning.

The Montessori method is very different from the educational style used in many conventional schools. In conventional education settings, children are often expected to move through lessons together at the same pace using external rewards and teacher-directed instruction. In our Montessori educational approach, your child will learn through hands-on exploration, independent learning, and purposeful discovery. Instead of memorizing information, they explore concepts using hands-on language materials, sensorial materials, practical life activities, mathematics tools, science lessons, and collaborative learning experiences. This kind of exploration will help them build a deeper understanding and long-term knowledge.

Our Montessori curriculum is designed to support the whole child through academics, social-emotional development, creativity, leadership, and independence. Your child will explore a range of topics, including language, reading, writing, mathematics, science, practical life, peace education, cultural studies, music, movement, and environmental awareness. They will also develop important life skills such as responsibility, collaboration, focus, and problem-solving. At Montessori at Vickery, education is about more than academic performance. It is also about helping your child develop kindness, empathy, confidence, and respect for themselves, others, and the world around them.

Dr. Maria Montessori believed that children are naturally curious and capable learners. She observed that children develop best when they are allowed to explore their environment on their own within carefully prepared classrooms. The Montessori philosophy recognizes that children move through important stages of human development and learn differently at different ages. Younger children absorb information through movement, repetition, and sensorial experiences, while elementary-aged children begin thinking more abstractly and collaboratively. This is why our classrooms are intentionally designed to support your child’s developmental stage while encouraging independence and self-motivation.

Yes. All lead guides at Montessori at Vickery are certified Montessori educators. Our staff also completes ongoing professional development each year, including CPR, First Aid, Fire Safety, and health and safety training. Continuous education helps ensure our guides remain current in child development, Montessori research, classroom practices, and educational methods. Your family can feel confident knowing that your child is learning from experienced guides who understand the Montessori philosophy deeply and are passionate about helping children thrive.

Montessori at Vickery is accredited through the American Montessori Society (AMS), reflecting our commitment to authentic Montessori education and high educational standards. Our school is proud to maintain these standards while creating a warm and welcoming learning community for families.

Montessori research, such as the recent University of Virginia study, continues to show strong outcomes in areas such as executive functioning, social-emotional development, reading, mathematics, independence, and problem solving. At Montessori at Vickery, based on internal assessments aligned with national standards, 98% of students meet or exceed national first-grade readiness benchmarks, 97% read at or above the first-grade level, and 98% meet or exceed grade-level mathematics expectations. These outcomes reflect the strength of the Montessori curriculum, individualized instruction, and the carefully prepared environment that your child will experience each day.

A typical day begins with a three-hour uninterrupted morning work cycle where your child will engage individually or collaboratively with Montessori materials across multiple subject areas. Joann Bauer explains that your child will also experience outdoor time, group lessons, independent work, social interaction, lunch, rest, and afternoon work cycles throughout the day. This structure helps them build concentration, confidence, self-dependence, and a genuine love of learning while still benefiting from collaboration and classroom community.

Multi-age classrooms are a defining feature of the Montessori approach and central to how we structure learning at Montessori at Vickery. Younger children learn by observing older children, while older children strengthen leadership and communication skills by helping younger classmates. This creates a classroom environment built on mentorship, patience, cooperation, and respect. Children also feel less pressure to compete because everyone progresses through lessons at their own pace based on their readiness and interests.

Practical life activities are foundational to the Montessori approach. These activities will help your little one develop coordination, focus, responsibility, and confidence while learning real-world skills. For younger children, practical life may include pouring, washing, organizing, preparing snacks, or caring for plants and classroom materials. These experiences strengthen independence and fine motor development while helping them feel capable and self-sufficient. Practical life also teaches your child respect for their environment and encourages them to become thoughtful, contributing members of the classroom community.

Children work with authentic Montessori materials specifically designed to support hands-on exploration and independent learning. These include sensorial materials, language materials, sandpaper letters, mathematics tools, science instruments, and practical life exercises. Each material isolates a specific concept and allows your child to repeat activities on their own until mastery is achieved. This hands-on educational style helps your child understand concepts more deeply than conventional methods that rely heavily on memorization or worksheets.

Every child learns differently, and Montessori education naturally supports different learning styles through individualized instruction and observation. Our guides introduce new lessons when your little one is ready and provide support based on your child’s developmental stage, strengths, and interests. Your child is never rushed or pressured to move at someone else’s pace. This personalized approach helps them become independent learners who feel confident exploring ideas, asking questions, and taking ownership of their own learning journey.

The safety of your child is one of our highest priorities. Montessori at Vickery partners with Secure Education Consultants, an organization founded by former US Secret Service agents, to maintain one of the safest possible school environments. Our campus features secure monitored entry, biometric technology, visitor screening, and detailed emergency preparedness plans. Your family can feel confident knowing our facilities, protocols, and staff training are designed to prioritize safety at every level.

Yes. One hundred percent of our faculty and staff receive hands-on training in common and uncommon emergency situations, including environmental emergencies, violent intruders, and abduction prevention. Staff are re-certified every year and trained to respond quickly and appropriately in their specific roles. We take safety seriously because we know you trust us with what matters most.

We believe parents are essential partners in your child’s education. Montessori at Vickery provides parent education opportunities throughout the year, conferences, open communication, and daily updates through Procare Engage. Your family is encouraged to ask questions, participate in school events, and stay involved in your child’s learning journey. We believe that communication centers on helping families understand the Montessori philosophy while ensuring every child is supported according to their individual needs.

Joann Bauer shares that one of the proudest moments for the staff is “when the Montessori guide can step back, and the children control the classroom.” That moment reflects the heart of Montessori education. It means that your child will have developed independence, focus, self-discipline, and responsibility within the prepared environment. Watching students become self-motivated, respectful, and confident learners is one of the most rewarding parts of our work.

Families choose Montessori at Vickery because they want more than traditional childcare or conventional education. They want a school where their little ones are respected as individuals, encouraged to explore, supported emotionally, challenged academically, and taught to care for the world around them. At Montessori at Vickery, your child will grow into a self-reliant, compassionate, globally aware learner who is prepared not only for future academic success, but for life.