The New York City Department of Education welcomed it's first public Montessori school in the city this September when it opened Albee Square Montessori P.S. 482 in Downtown Brooklyn.
The Montessori education method was created by Dr. Maria Montessori in 1906. It is "student-led and self-paced but guided, assessed, and enriched by knowledgeable and caring teachers, the leadership of their peers, and a nurturing environment," according to the American Montessori Society.
This is something that Brooklyn and the rest of New York were ready to have, according to Interim Principal Carol Mongiello.
"Montessori schools have been historically private," she said. "But there is more of a movement to have public Montessori schools. There's definitely always been an interest and curiosity."
Plans to open a public Montessori school started during the COVID-19 pandemic. While reconnecting with families and listening to their post-pandemic needs, officials from School District 13 (D13), which includes Fort Greene, Clinton Hill and parts of Bedford Stuyvesant, began to explore alternative education.
"Opening the first public Montessori school was an opportunity to activate on those values of staying on the cutting edge of innovative educational practices," D13 Superintendent Meghan Dunn said. "And providing more access to a highly sought-after instructional model that many families would not be able to otherwise afford."
Dunn said the district contacted the American Montessori Society in January 2021 to learn how to have such a public school. Dunn and Mongiello teamed up to learn more about running a Montessori school and soon partnered with the National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector on the training, onboarding and hiring of state and Montessori-certified teachers.
As word spread about a public Montessori school, over 500 parents from around the city expressed interest, according to Mongiello.
"Parents either had or knew about Montessori," she said. "They know it's a beautiful, peaceful setting, grounded in the sense of community."
The Downtown Brooklyn location, at 424 Albee Square W., was chosen so families could have easy access to the school. D13 families are given priority and so far, PS 482 only has Pre-K and Kindergarten classes, but will keep adding a grade each year.
On a recent visit to the school, the classrooms were filled with young children intensely focused on reading, drawing and experimenting with math tools or models of planets. Based on how focused these children are, play and learning are one in a Montessori setting.
"That's the beauty of Montessori," said Assistant Principal Stephanie Krynytzky. "It guides the child. It has freedom with limits. It is not dependent on the teacher and it trusts the child with their path."
Parents Jullian and Elianna Brown were considering homeschooling their daughter because they were dissatisfied with the public schools and wanted a setting that would bring out her curiosity.
"We adore it," Elianna Brown said of P.S. 482. "Our daughter goes on and on about her day. She's gotten older so quick, her vocabulary is improving and she's helping other kids."
The Browns' said they wish there was a public Montessori school in every neighborhood.
Mongiello hinted that another school could open in the future. But for now, the school's goal is to grow with additional learning rooms and grades.
"We all know what it is like to learn about something that we are interested in and feel like has real meaning," said Dunn. "This leads to deeper engagement."
