Adolescent Program: Ages 12-15

The OKMS Adolescent Community fosters a developing sense of self and purpose within the context of real and meaningful work. The students creatively and reflectively explore society and its economic base through manual and intellectual work. Through the observations of Dr. Montessori and current psychological research, we know that the adolescent is asking universal questions of identity and belonging: “Who am I in relation to human society? Where do I fit into this society? How can I serve other members of this society?” The adolescent coursework is designed to give students a sense of purpose, identity and belonging.

Areas of study include: earth, life, and physical science; human development; physical expression; mathematics (including algebra and geometry); world history, American history and civics; in-depth language work, including literary analysis, grammar, written expression, and oratory; business and economics; community service; creative expression; and Spanish. All of these are approached in an inter-disciplinary manner.

There is an increased expectation of individual responsibility in the adolescent community. Students are more involved in project planning, self-assessment, and conferences with both teacher and parents. We strive to cultivate in the students completing our program a strong sense of self, academic confidence, personal responsibility, resourcefulness, and a vision of their place in the world.

Montessori graduates combine excellence in academics, community values and stewardship of the environment with the dignity and purpose of human endeavors. What is truly special about these graduates is their strong love of learning and their knowing how to learn. They work hard because they are motivated by a desire to learn more.

There is no better way for the adolescent community to connect at the deepest level than on trips. They get to know each other in totally new and exciting ways as they grapple with being immersed in a whole new environment ripe for adventure, play, and inquiry. The adolescent class goes on two camping trips per school year, one in the fall and one in the spring. The students plan and execute all aspects of the trips, including raising the money to cover the costs through the microeconomy, finding and reserving campsites, planning meals for each day, and cooking/cleaning up each meal. While on the trips, the adolescents engage in a variety of team-building activities to push them out of their comfort zones and bring them closer together. They also engage with the landscape they are visiting through place-based environmental education that leaves them a new understanding of the unique ecosystem they are visiting, and a sense of stewardship for that place. These trips serve to bookend the adolescent experience both socially/emotionally and academically.