A Letter from the Head of BMS
Thank you for taking the time to learn about Berkeley Montessori School. Here at BMS, we use the time-tested Montessori principles as the base from which we seek to educate the whole child. We recognize that every person is born with a unique set of talents and areas of struggle, which we call "gifts and challenges." BMS explicitly seeks to work with our students' varied gifts and challenges, in a way that brings out the greatness inherent in every child. We're proud of our commitment to understanding how children learn best. Over the years, research has supported Dr. Montessori's approach, but where more recent study has suggested complementary practices, we've flexibly added them to our curriculum as well. Nowhere is this better illustrated than in our passionate dedication to education for environmental sustainability. While Dr. Montessori considered this essential in her time, it has become a profound imperative in ours.
Taking our "whole child" mission further, we carefully nurture social and emotional growth just as we do academic growth, by recognizing the crucial nature of the school-home partnership. At BMS, our goal is to support the whole family, not the child in isolation. Through parent education events, parenting circles, and many types of informal meetings, we try to give parents the support they need, support which in our busy world they often don't get elsewhere.
As Maria Montessori said, "Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." At BMS, we're in the business of lighting fires that will warm and illuminate our world. I invite you to learn more about Berkeley Montessori School, through our website and our many admissions events, and to contact us with any questions.
Janet Stork
Head of School
