MONTESSORI

“Our care of the child should be governed, not by the desire to make him learn things, but by the endeavour always to keep burning within him that light which is called intelligence.”
– Dr. Maria Montessori

At Vivek High School, we are guided by a clear vision and a deep commitment to prepare our students for an ever-evolving world filled with opportunity and promise. Our mission is to nurture compassionate, confident and capable individuals who are equipped with academic knowledge, which has a strong foundation in the values and life skills that help shape responsible global citizens.

We view the school as a vibrant ecosystem where academic excellence is balanced with personal growth and emotional well-being. Our Montessori curriculum offers a unique, child-centred approach that empowers students to be self-motivated and independent learners. We strive to create meaningful learning experiences that are engaging, reflective and relevant to the world our students live in.

We believe that education is truly complete when students have an academic foundation built on a strong sense of social responsibility and the confidence to make a meaningful difference in the world.

Montessori education is based upon the scientific discoveries and observations made by Dr. Maria Montessori. Our Montessori approach empowers young learners to reach their full potential academically, socially and emotionally. Our Montessori classrooms are a warm community offering a multi-age, stimulating environment with highly trained teachers and materials that invite exploration and research.

Montessori students don’t just memorise facts and figures; they learn the ‘hows’, ‘whens’ and ‘whys’, ensuring that learning takes place on a deep and fundamental level. The classrooms have specially designed learning materials that use real objects and actions to translate abstract ideas into concrete forms, supporting the children in their learning. Through repetition and practice, children master the progression of the Montessori materials, and develop a fundamental understanding of each curriculum area.

The classroom is a happy community. Students are focused and take joy in their work by inventing, exploring, experimenting, conferring, creating, and curling up with books; sometimes they might even reflect in a peaceful, meditative corner.

Multi-age groupings (3 to 6, 6 to 9 and 9 to 12 years) of children in the Montessori pedagogy provide a heterogeneous mix, creating an atmosphere where children can collaborate and socialise. These inter-age relationships strengthen the entire community, as the older children are seen as role models within the community. This multi-age community provides opportunities for all individuals to learn from each other, at times leading, sharing, or serving as role models. It also develops an appreciation of differences. The supportive, inclusive community helps the children work through the curriculum at their own pace, accelerating during some tasks or taking additional time with others. The children work individually or in small groups, at tables or on mats on the floor.

Observation is an extremely important aspect of the Montessori pedagogy. While the children are working with the material and deepening their understanding of the concepts introduced, the adults stand at the back, observe how the children learn, and document their progress. They only intervene if needed, to encourage the children’s independence, as there is a direct link between a child’s sense of empowerment and their ability to learn and retain new skills and information.

Dr. Maria Montessori recognised that children in the first plane have sensitive periods to absorb certain information. In the Montessori Environments, the materials and activities are designed to support self-directed discovery and learning. They are organised around practical life activities, sensorial activities, spoken language, writing and reading skills, and mathematical activities; as well as activities that reflect upon our human understanding of geography, history, biology, science, music, and arts.

According to Dr. Montessori, the Elementary-aged children can be characterised by their curious minds, their ability to abstract and imagine, their moral and social orientation, and their energy for research and exploration. They like to work in small, mixed-age groups on a variety of projects which spark the imagination, engage the intellect, and develop their reasoning abilities.

Our Elementary programme (age 6 to 12 years) has the children divided into two groups of 6 to 9 and 9 to 12 years. It is based on the belief that children learn best through movement and work with their hands. The individually paced curriculum in the elementary years challenges children academically and safeguards their well-being and sense of self. Studies are integrated across disciplines that include geography, history, language, mathematics, science, music, and other forms of artistic expression. The children work with materials that lead to the abstraction of the fundamental concepts in each area.

Children in an elementary classroom keep a record of their work in the form of a journal. They have the freedom to choose their own work, as well as choose to work with another child or in a group. Keeping track of their work helps them make good work choices and lets the teacher see which presentations are complete and which need attention.

An AMI diploma is respected worldwide for its authenticity, high standards, and quality. The hands-on Montessori training courses provide the framework and tools to the adults for successfully teaching what works for each child. Our Head of Junior Wing, Mrs. Meenakshi Madaan, completed her Montessori Elementary Diploma Course at Navdisha in 2023 and her Orientation in Adolescents in 2024.