Most Montessori school are designed for young children.
Montessori schools use the research of Italian teacher Maria Montessori to guide curriculum and lessons. Generally speaking, the Montessori Method emphasizes allowing children to learn primarily at their own pace with minimal instruction from teachers.
Montessori schools are usually private and are most commonly designed for young children. However, there are some Montessori charter schools that are part of a public school system. Educators and education agencies can find funding through Montessori associations, the U.S. Department of Education and local and state grants.
American Montessori Society
The American Montessori Society offers an annual Peace Seed Connection Grant to educators who promote peace in their teaching. Applicants must have a background in Montessori education and must use the funds to promote peace in a project directed at students or other educators. The grant is usually around $2,200 and is often given to just one school per year. Past winners have used the money to build a sustainable garden with produce that students sold to raise money to help impoverished people or to create business opportunities for underprivileged people.
American Montessori Society
Peace Seed Connection Grant
281 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10010-6102
212-358-1250
Amshq.org
Department of Education Grant
While the majority of Montessori schools are private, parents and educators who wish to create a Montessori charter school can apply for a grant through the U.S. Department of Education.
The Charter Schools Program grants are given directly to state education agencies, which in turn funnel the money to charter school developers. The money may only be used to pay for the planning and design of an education program. Past recipients include the New Century Montessori Charter School in Phoenix, Ariz., and the City Garden Montessori School in St. Louis, Mo.
In states with statutes specifically allowing the establishment of publicly funded charter schools, only state education agencies may apply. In states without such statutes, charter school developers may apply directly to the Department of Education.
U.S. Department of Education
Parental Options and Information
400 Maryland Ave., S.W., Rm. 4W231, LBJ Building
Washington DC 20202
202-260-1882
Ed.gov
Local and State Grants
There are several private foundations that give out grants to local schools, including Montessori schools. For example, The Hershey Foundation gives out grant monies to support alternative educational programs for children in Northern Ohio. The Hershey Montessori School received $192,200 in 2009 and the Ruffing Montessori School received $25,000. For more information about The Hershey Foundation, visit Foundationcenter.org.
The website Schoolgrants.org compiles lists of local, state and national grant opportunities for schools.
Tags: montessori, school, grants, Department Education, Montessori School, Montessori schools, American Montessori, American Montessori Society, charter school, education agencies, Montessori Society, charter school developers, charter schools, Connection Grant
