Middle School
Center for work and study for young adolescents (12-15 years old)

Middle School
Center for work and study for young adolescents aged 12 to 15 years
In 2019, Montessori School of Moscow creates an educational environment for adolescents, following the idea of Dr. Maria Montessori
First in Russia Center for Work and Study for young adolescents
In 2019 Montessori School of Moscow continues the development of Montessori education and creates a unique educational environment for adolescents aged 12 to 15, following the idea of Dr. Maria Montessori. We draw your attention to the fact that in 2020 AMI plans to approve the Montessori teacher training standard for this age. Our program is one of the operating sites for testing this standard.
Changes in the age of 12-15 are very radical
  • The body changes rapidly, hormonal surges occur. The need for economic and social independence is rising sharply.
  • A lot of energy is spent by the body on change and growth. Teens can get tired quickly.
  • Psychological vulnerability. Sensitivity to other people's opinions increases dramatically at this age.
  • Confusion in behavior. It's harder to concentrate.
  • The need for economic and social independence is rising sharply.
That is why the program includes:
  • Various forms of applied and hand work
  • Community involvement
  • Opportunities for self-expression
  • Broad social and financial independence
  • Fresh air and healthy nutrition
Students self-organization
Training ground for adult life
By making decisions and taking responsibility for them, our students gain confidence in interacting with the real world. The school during this period is essentially a training ground for adult life.
Autonomous community of adolescents
The principle of Dr. Maria Montessori "Help me do it myself" is also relevant when working with adolescents. Teenagers learn financial literacy, decision making, targeted and informed choice through planning their trips and excursions, making appointments with experts they need, conducting business correspondence and participating in the sale of their products at fairs. The Center for Work and Study for adolescents functions as an autonomous community.
Gaining knowledge through the implementation of practical projects
Consciously avoiding theorizing, we try to maintain and develop the natural interest of adolescents in learning.
We use the natural interest in learning
Adolescents at this age need opportunities for practical self-realization. They want to create and produce. They are interested in taking on "adult" tasks. Such, for example, as the implementation of their own business. These projects are often a natural incentive to study knowledge related to their area of interest. This approach allows you to build education based on the natural motivation of the teenager.
Academic Program
The academic course is embedded in the activities of adolescents in such a way that for them the practical benefits of the knowledge gained are obvious.
The practical benefits of knowledge
Intellectual curiosity and excitement to do something on your own are the main factors in maintaining interest in learning. The activities of adolescents are formed in such a way that they meet the criteria of interest, the possibility of practical implementation, and also affect the knowledge necessary to study the basic academic program.
We are not trying to get students to remember pre-formed information. We try to make sure this new knowledge is of interest to them, theoretical concepts are understandable, and the practical effect of these concepts is obvious.
The studies include:
  • Exploring the earth and living beings
    Earth sciences: geography, biology, geology, botany, oceanography, mineralogy, space and the terrestrial planets.
  • Human progress
    Exact sciences: physics, chemistry, mechanics, engineering, fundamentals of economics.
  • Language and Communication
    Russian and foreign languages, history, drama. Fundamentals of linguistics, development and interaction of languages. Ethical standards of communication.
  • The structure of society
    History, state and law, modern social activities, culture, art.
  • Information
    Programming, social networks, blockchain technology, the concept of neural networks, the capabilities of modern technologies.
  • Practical skills
    Obtaining the skills necessary for a modern person: from budgeting to the implementation of a renovation project.

My vision of the future is no longer people taking exams and proceeding then on that certification . . . but of individuals passing from one stage of independence to a higher [one], by means of their own activity through their own effort of will, which constitutes the inner evolution of the individual.
Maria Montessori
Svetlana Makeeva
Adolescent Program Guide
2019
Montessori Center for Work and Study, Rydet, Sweden, AMI Montessori Orientation to Adolescent Studies course

2014
The Higher School of the Montessori Method (AMI), Saint-Petersburg, Russia, Assistant to Infancy

2007
Diplomatic Academy of The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russian Federation, Economist, specialisation in International Economics

2003
Astrakhan State University, Teacher of the English and German languages, specialisation in Philology
Svetlana Makeeva
Adolescent Program Guide
2019
Montessori Center for Work and Study, Rydet, Sweden, AMI Montessori Orientation to Adolescent Studies course

2014
The Higher School of the Montessori Method (AMI), Saint-Petersburg, Russia, Assistant to Infancy

2007
Diplomatic Academy of The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russian Federation, Economist, specialisation in International Economics

2003
Astrakhan State University, Teacher of the English and German languages, specialisation in Philology
  • Tuition Fee
    Full day program | 8:30 am - 4:00 pm

    RUB 90 000
  • Entrance Fee
    RUB 55 000 per family
  • Discounts
    5% - when paid for semesters.
    10% - when paid for the whole academic year.
Our inspiration:
Here are links to school sites that we focus on when creating our program
This Lyceum is a legendary platform where Montessori principles of education for adolescents first got tested. Here in the 1930s, a group of enthusiasts began to put into practice the ideas that had just been expressed by Maria Montessori herself in her letters and lectures. With their practical work, the founders of the Lyceum inspired Dr. Montessori for further development of methodological principles of education for adolescents.
For many years, this unique school has been a real laboratory for developing the international Montessori standard for adolescent education. In addition to an outstanding team of visionaries, led by David Kahn, the school has impressive financial resources. The school managed to create a fully autonomous community of adolescents, which attracts students from different countries. There are graduates from Russia.
This school was started in 2010 and is located on a farm. Here students from Sweden and other countries live, work and study. They regularly sell their produce at the market, run a hotel for visitors of the training center, and are responsible for funding the school. This school is one of the few sites in the world where AMI Montessori Orientation to Adolescent Studies is offered. Here in the summer of 2019, our adolescent program guide Svetlana Makeeva got her training.
Notes of Svetlana Makeeva
This Montessori school, created 15 years ago, follows the so-called "urban compromise" model. In addition to the Montessori program, students successfully master the state educational standard. The school receives financial aid from the state according to German law, cooperates with universities and participates in the development of immersion programs for the study of foreign languages. Some of the graduates of this school continue their education at universities, some master applied professions, their is a medical doctor among graduates.
In this amazing school, located in Houston, TX, the conditions for the development of personality from birth to 18 years of age are created. The school has a team of more than 100 highly qualified specialists committed to the ideas of Maria Montessori, and the AMI standard is in place for for all age groups. A full-cycle adolescentprogram is implemented here (from 12 to 18 years).
High School
The first adolescent program in the UK was opened in 2017: just two years ago! The head of our Center for Work and Study, Svetlana Makeeva, has already managed to visit this school. Located in the University of Sussex vicinity, the school is based at an ancient woodland. Students aged 12 to 16 years grow and sell certified organic produce. With the help of qualified adults, they serve their building and surrounding areas. Also in their management is a commercial kitchen for 70 people.
A stunning example of a teenage farm-organized program in accordance with Erdkinder principles described by Maria Montessori. In this Austrian school, students are engaged in agriculture, grow fruit and raise animals.
At this school, located in one of the oldest university towns in the United States, teens study according to the 7th and 8th grades curriculum. Mentors from Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and other experts from the real economy work with them. Over the 50 years of its work, CMS graduated 2,000 children who continue their education at leading American universities.
"Not an Average Adolescent School" is a motto you see when logging onto the website of this Canadian school. Here, students are encouraged to make discoveries about themselves through education, which gives them the strength to prove themselves in this world.
This is an independent micro-school for students in grades 6, 7 and 8. Here, teenagers organized their own bike workshop and earn money from the repair and sale of bicycles and accessories. Students also run a coffee shop, which serves residents of the nearby area.
Learn more:
From this selection of links you can learn more about Montessori's modern teaching principles
An article in The Guardian about the opening of the first adolescent program in the UK. Our adolescent guide Svetlana Makeeva has observed at this school.
Video about the Adolescent Community at Strata Montessori in Canada.
Montessori Madness!
A video by Trevor Eissler explaining the difference between the traditional approach to education and the Montessori way.
The video talks about the problems in the existing traditional education system.
Montessori philosophy and practical ideas regarding adolescents.
A description of the concept of adolescent Montessori education on the website of the North American Montessori Teachers Association.