The core values of this school are in evidence everywhere we observed. The care and love of children permeates the entire environment where children are allowed and encouraged to invent and discover on their own how things work and how important it is to develop people skills as well as academic ones. The faculty of the school embodies a level of professionalism that is palpable and evident to anyone observing in the classrooms. -American Montessori Society excerpt from the re-accreditation review
It must be so rewarding to know that (you and) the wonderful staff at MCHD have left an indelible mark on so many young people, who now march out into the world full of appreciation for and curiosity about the world around them. We're grateful for you all! - H. Lewis
Want to know what’s priceless? Our daughter is about as secure as a kid can get – it’s a direct result of being in a small-world setting so richly preparing her for the larger world. I pay for the education, but I don’t see how I can ever pay enough for this. This is simply a blessing. - R. Jackson
My two daughters attended MCHD. One from 2nd through 5th, and the other from preschool through 5th. All I can say is that they learned so much at MCHD, and much of it beyond academics. They are both extremely self-motivated and self-organized, intent and enjoying a lifetime of learning because they love it. Both are high academic achievers, but more notably they are incredibly socially adept. They are caring loving citizens of this world and MCHD had a big role in their development. We were so fortunate to have found this wonderful school. - D. Bynum
MCHD has been an absolutely amazing fit for my son (now 5) and my daughter (now 3). We couldn’t have been happier. The Toddler and Early Childhood programs are great, the children thrive in this environment, and the teachers are amazing. The sense of community is wonderful, we’ve made friends for life. It is a great joy to watch our children grow up in this school. - T. Monteiro
Reviews on Hulafrog.com:
“They build trusting and warm relationships with the children, helping the children in turn to build confidence, develop skills and interests, and truly establishing a community.”
“The classrooms are beautiful, dynamic, and engaging spaces where the kids explore their lessons with enthusiasm.”
“The sense of community is wonderful, we’ve made friends for life. It is a great joy to watch our children grow up in this school.”
“We discovered MCHD when we relocated to the area, and were looking for Montessori programs. I was immediately impressed with warm, supportive environment and the fantastic teachers.”
“When my wife and I made the decision to move to Durham, we took the opportunity to observe and evaluate a number of local schools, both public and private, in an attempt to find the best fit for our twins. The Montessori Children’s House of Durham stood head and shoulders above the rest of them, not because it tried to impress with flashy facilities, but because of the profound respect it demonstrated for the unique potential of every child within its classrooms.”
“My daughter is rising to 8th grade in public school after attending MCHD through 6th grade… MCHD taught my child conflict resolution, flexibility, creative thinking, writing skills, advanced literacy, intrinsic motivation, and community awareness. In the top 5% of her class, she was awarded by NC for being among the highest SAT scores in the state [as part of Duke’s TIP program]. Our early investment was totally worth it, and then some.”
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We offer a strong foundation for the cognitive, social, and emotional development of each individual child as well as developing a strong sense of their citizenship in both the local and the global community. We are committed to enriching our children’s learning experiences through the guidance of expert teachers and a diverse curriculum. Cultivating respect, resilience, perseverance, and a sense of responsibility are our hallmarks.
To accomplish this, MCHD implements the classical Montessori principles: the development of concentration, order, and coordination, which foster the discipline required for independence. These skills enable the child’s freedom of inquiry, while multi-age classrooms promote individualized education. Confidence and enthusiasm is gained from the ability to self-initiate and from success.
These principles provide the framework for every level of our work — the layout of the classroom, the design of the curriculum, the modeling of each activity, and the intention of each lesson with the individual child. We have strong staff retention because of staff satisfaction, which is reflected in the the strength of the community and the beauty of the classroom environments.
In addition to our outstanding teaching staff, our programs are also set apart by a dedication to Montessori’s foundation in respect for the child. At MCHD, we respect the child’s innate desire to learn and inborn power to be competent.
