Wheaton Montessori School

Adolescent Community  

7th-9th grade


Wheaton Montessori School’s Adolescent Community is a three-year program spanning 7th, 8th, and 9th grades. It continues aspects you already love about your child's education here and introduces new aspects to challenge young adults' rapid intellectual, social, and emotional growth.

Adolescent Program

Considering adolescents no longer children but not yet adults, Maria Montessori recognized adolescence as a time of rapid growth. Designed for students ages 12 to 15, the Adolescent Program at Wheaton Montessori School provides the ideal setting for students to expand their knowledge and embark on adult-like responsibilities, resulting in a solid, unique foundation for young adulthood.

 

Built upon the academic foundation of the Elementary Program, the Adolescent Program encourages students to be self-directed and independent. At the same time, they’ve learned the value of teamwork, collaboration, and respect for others. 

Integrated Project-Based Curriculum

Classroom subjects are explored in an integrated manner. Students grapple with real-world issues while honing their skills in math, economics, science, humanities, language, and writing. The focus is upon the development of a successful process and innovative approach rather than simply rewarding an expected answer. 

Seminars

Adolescent students are sensitive to issues of social justice and personal dignity. They learn critical thinking and public speaking skills through student-guided seminars as they grapple with real-world issues. Through this process, they develop an appreciation of multiple perspectives on a given topic. Wheaton Montessori adolescents have biweekly literature and math seminars in addition to the rest of their curriculum.

Microeconomy

Students develop and run their own real business, marketing and selling products that they manufacture themselves. Supporting lessons are given on the scientific, historical, economic, practical, and organizational aspects of their products. Student work includes bookkeeping, budgeting and purchasing, design, advertising, conducting surveys, research, writing proposals, interviewing experts, and documentation. 

Creative and Physical Expression

Students pursue skills that will enable them to express their understanding of the world through art and music. Group activities such as sledding, ice skating, canoeing, ultimate frisbee, and hiking help develop agility and strength as well as a sense of fun and confidence in the meeting of physical challenges. 

Community

Beyond intellectual development, the Adolescent Program guides students to become active citizens and fully informed problem-solvers within Chicago's western suburbs and beyond. 

Our Alumni Excel in School—and in Life

Years of watching our students matriculate to high school, college, and beyond confirms that an authentic Montessori Adolescent Program is education for life. They excel in school and careers of choice and, more importantly, emerge as confident, well-adjusted, happy adults.

Share by: