Individualized, Self-Directed Learning
"Follow the child."

The Bowman program is an impressive example of the principles of Montessori elementary education at work for your child. At Bowman, self-directed and individualized learning forms the core of the educational experience. Based on years of educational research, we believe that children can and must learn to accept responsibility, develop independence and make decisions that help manage their own learning. Working individually with their teachers, all Bowman students help plan their daily and weekly goals. They supplement their core academics with materials and topics of their own interest. They also participate in evaluating and communicating their own educational progress.

Because each child brings a unique mix of strengths and weaknesses, children often progress at different rates in different academic areas. To support and respect each individual’s development, the children at Bowman who can move faster in a subject area move ahead freely and are not held to the pace of slower students or the limitations of a grade-structured curriculum. Children who need more time and attention on a subject, are provided the resources they need to succeed.

Through their years at Bowman, our students acquire strong, traditional academic skills, yet also:

• Maintain their love for learning, creativity and discovery

• Develop a sense of responsibility and self-confidence about themselves and the world

• Build a strong foundation for life-long decision-making, problem-solving and critical thinking.

• Become well-rounded and socially adept individuals.

Hands-On Exploration, Prepared Environment
”Never give to the brain more than we give to the hand.”

Montessori education is predicated upon the basic human urge to explore. The whole learning environment room, materials and social climate must be supportive of the learner. Bowman classrooms are carefully prepared learning labs that facilitate student exploration and hands-on use of tools and materials. Many of the materials are Montessori-based and have been designed with distinct educational goals in mind.

Multi-Age Classrooms
”Continuity is key to learning.”

Unlike most schools where teachers spend only one academic year with their students, teachers at Bowman spend multiple years with each student in their multi-age classrooms. This enables the teachers to know each child better: to genuinely understand, nurture and appreciate each child’s unique personality, learning style and needs. Classes at Bowman are all organized into two- or three-year age groupings:

• Bowman Juniors - students aged 5 through 6
• Lower Elementary - students aged 6 through 9
• Upper Elementary - students aged 9 through 12
• Middle School - students aged 12 through 15

In our classrooms, younger children are encouraged to learn new skills by watching the older children. Older children, in turn, benefit from peer teaching, helping the young and providing leadership and guidance. Through multi-age classes, students are provided with never-ending opportunities for broad social development and deep friendships. The presence of children of different ages and abilities helps every Bowman student develop tolerance and appreciation for individual differences, and provides many different options for small group learning.

Experienced Staff
”To refrain from interference requires both training and patience.”

The Montessori approach to teaching is both extremely challenging, and extraordinarily exciting and rewarding. Our teachers bring a broad range of skills and interests to their teaching. Many have advanced degrees and all have an interest and knowledge in teaching self-directed students in an international context. Although Bowman uses specialist teachers for foreign language instruction, for some arts and some types of special projects, the highly integrated nature of the Bowman academic program relies on Montessori certified teachers who can relate one curriculum area to another to help the children understand the “big picture”. Therefore, at Bowman, Montessori certified teachers are responsible for all classroom instruction.

A teacher who is not trained in Montessori methods and philosophy can no more be expected to teach “Montessori” than a biologist could be expected to teach French. Extensive training a minimum of a full year following the Bachelor’s degree is required for a full AMS credential, including a year’s student teaching under supervision. Any teacher at Bowman still in the process of receiving Montessori training is paired with a more senior Montessori-certified teacher.

Bowman is committed to maintaining a low teacher-to-student ratio in its classrooms during the core school day.