Island Village Charter Montessori School

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"What is Montessori?"

Many of you visiting here for the first time or just getting started at our school may have a few questions about the Montessori philosophy or methods. A visit to the Montessori FAQ and the Montessori Concepts pages may be just what you are looking for.
Come Visit Us
Island Village Montessori is a wondrous experience for both the student and the family alike. If you are considering enrolling your child at IVMS, we invite you to visit us in person and experience all we have to offer in person. Directions and maps can be found on the How To Find Us page.
Call 484-4999 to make arrangements.

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IVMS School Grounds Music and Arts Early Childhood Elementary School Middle School
Visit the Art Dept. Web Page! Visit the Music Dept. Web Page!

IVMS Does The Arts

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Gondolier article by Skylar Sellitti - 2008 IVMS Graduate
A school that celebrates the arts; do you find that surprising? I just graduated from IVMS. It has inspired me and a majority of the other graduates to realize their talents in the fine arts. Everything from ceramics to singing, foreign languages to painting is celebrated at Island Village Montessori School.
Fine arts are part of Kindergarten through 8th students every day curriculum. There are Art classes for ceramics, drawing, and painting. Because of art class, the hallways are an art gallery. For some this may be a glance into the future, their art being admired by all. With so many different aspects of art offered, there is bound to be an art class for every student to enjoy. Music classes are extremely popular as well. In music you can learn to play basically any instrument you want! Piano, guitar, and drums seem to be favorites with the students. Dance is an enjoyed class too. Students exercise both mind and body, choreographing dances, learning different styles, and learning how to work their muscles.
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After Care Letter to Parents and the Plans and Payments Information can be found below or on the After School Pages. Contact Jan (484-4999 ext. 224 or email her here for more information.

School Grading Standards
While we do not suggest judging our school simply by these measures, the FCAT and AYP standards are important. At Island Village, we seek to balance the need to show accountability toward grade level expectations and our commitment to a learner-centered Montessori approach. There are many areas of student progress not measured by test scores...

Follow this link to our online Letter of Intent and begin the process of enrolling your child at IVMS.

"If education is to be an aid to civilization, it cannot be carried out by emptying the schools of knowledge (wisdom), of character, of discipline, of social harmony, and, above all, of freedom."

Remembering the Original Vision
Island Village Montessori School opened its doors on August 13, 2001 to 175 students as the first charter Montessori school in Sarasota County.
In 2001, our vision was to create a public Montessori elementary program open to all children regardless of income, race, or ethnic background.
A History of Our School

In 2001, we also opened an early childhood program to serve children from the age of three, serving 35 children.

In 2003, we partnered with Children First to give a Montessori opportunity to families not able to afford a private tuition before kindergarten.

In 2005, we elected to participate in Florida's Voluntary Pre-K program to help families afford the cost of the four year-old year.

In 2005, we opened a middle school on our Venice campus as well as satellite Montessori programs in Sarasota.

In 2005, we began developing an online teacher training program for Montessori teachers called Montessori Live.

In 2005, we began developing a student tracking program for Montessori schools called Montalign.

In 2007, we have over 500 students in our programs combined.

Developing public Montessori programs open to all children regardless of income, race, or socio-ethnic background.
Working toward the highest standards in public and Montessori education.
Being a model of responsible leadership for the community; sharing best practice with the world through affordable professional development programs.
Creating a school of optimal size where a sense of family makes students feel safe, and will not allow them to fall between the cracks; where families choose a point of view rather than simply attending a school.
Becoming a community where individuals are equally important and where differences are respected; creating a sense of belonging for all.
Connecting children to their civilization through the Montessori cosmic curriculum; training gardeners of the human potential who contribute to a peaceful world.
Working with students to foster independence, self-motivation, self-discipline, creativity, responsibility, citizenship, autonomy, competence, tolerance, and kindness.
Treating education as a holistic journey of self-discovery; establishing patterns for lifelong learning; focusing on the process of learning.
Developing sister schools worldwide in an effort to make cultural studies real to our students. Our school currently has partnership with schools in Vladimir, Russia and Perpignan, France through the Sister Cities program.