History and Overview

History
Located on 10 wooded acres in West Nashville, Abintra Montessori School offers educational opportunities for children from early childhood through middle school.

Founded by a small group of parents, Abintra opened Nashville's first Montessori elementary program to nine elementary students in 1981 as an independent, nonprofit, educational organization. Those parents envisioned a quality educational experience for their children through Dr. Maria Montessori's educational continuum: follow the child's lead, observe to know the child's needs, prepare the learning environment, support the child's effort, respect the child's individuality, and trust in the child's inner workings.

Abintra has now expanded its program to serve 150 students from preschool through eighth grade. Abintra continues to provide all children with a carefully prepared learning environment, a community of fellow learners, and a wide range of quality materials, including the advanced Montessori equipment.

Vision
Abintra develops confident, self-motivated learners who creatively meet the challenges of life.

Mission
The mission of Abintra Montessori School is to assist in the development of the individual child and adolescent by providing a quality education based on Montessori principles and philosophy.

Goals
The primary goal of Abintra's Montessori program is to help each child reach his or her full potential in all areas of life. Activities promote the development of social skills, emotional growth, and physical coordination as well as cognitive preparation for future intellectual academic endeavors. The holistic curriculum, under the direction of a specifically prepared teacher, allows the child to experience the joy of learning, the time to enjoy the process, and ensures the development of self esteem. It provides the experiences from which children create their knowledge. 

Our faculty strives to meet each child at his/her own developmental levels - intellectually, physically, and socially. Integrated into our academic curriculum are the arts, Spanish, community service learning, and outdoor education.

Classrooms
Our multi-age groupings (see curriculum) are designed to:  

• Enhance socialization    
• Allow children to teach and learn from each other
• Facilitate the guide's concentration on the individual rather than on grade norms
• Allow a consistent environment, community, and guide/student relationship over a 3-year period
• Provide community
• Permit the development of a family spirit in the classroom

Our multi-aged classrooms provide children with a carefully prepared learning environment and a wide range of quality materials.