Montessori Education

No two students are the same, so no two journeys to graduation will be identical. Students play an active role in their learning, from setting community guidelines and being leaders within the classroom to co-designing the curriculum, planning field studies, and participating in career explorations.

A Montessori classroom reflects the diversity of the world outside of school walls. Students will learn how to live, work, and enjoy life alongside others who have different perspectives and experiences. Each individual’s contribution to our community is a valuable part of every other student’s education.

Erdkinder is a term coined by Dr. Maria Montessori that means “Earth-children” and describes a hands-on, experientially driven education. Valor students will work within our local ecosystems to experience the ways that land sustains and nourishes us; we guide them toward becoming good stewards to the Earth in return.

Rigorous academics, creative and artistic pursuits, works of service, self-care of body, mind, and spirit, interpersonal relationships and conflict resolution, goal setting, and continuous self-improvement are all essential parts of the human experience. We are dedicated to educating the whole adolescent.

We agree with political activist Jim Hightower that “everyone does better when everyone does better.” While competition has its place, learning to work together and support each other in our work and daily life is a skill that prepares students for future career opportunities, civic life, and relationships.

The namesake of our school is a term coined by Dr. Maria Montessori that describes the journey of each adolescent becoming a strong and capable adult. We work to guide each student as they discover their own “cosmic task,” which is their role in bringing about a better world. We are committed to teaching every student the necessary skills to thrive in life beyond graduation.