Find out all the details about the admission process at Montessori School Otkrivatel
Dr. Maria Montessori
Toddlers community is the primary entry point to Otkrivatel Montessori school.
It offers a gentle introduction to social life beyond the family. A small community of 14 children (age 14 months to just under 3 years) come together five mornings a week, collaborating in the everyday activities of life, building their skills and independence as they go.
As your child approaches the age of 3, they become ready to join the Children’s House – a community of 3-6 year olds who work together and grow together in joyful collaboration. In a Montessori Children’s House, children are uniquely supported to think for themselves and do for themselves. The mixed-aged group of children are free to direct their own learning, and learn quickly to respect the work of people around them. Young children learn to make deliberate choices from hundreds of activities in a carefully prepared environment. The children become experts in guiding their own learning and discovering the world.
The Otkrivatel Elementary is a place of superlatives. In their own words, it is a place where children seek to become the kindest, smartest and most skilful people they can. At Otkrivatel we understand that we can’t directly transfer knowledge, that instead each child learns through their own efforts and at their own pace. Our priority is to give a lesson in how to do use a material or carry out a task, connecting the child to the environment so they can explore culture with increasing independence. It is a place brimming with ideas and a place bubbling with action where children organise music performances for their class, arrange their own visits to museums, archaeological sites, zoos and theatres.
The Young People’s Community is based at the base of the Vitosha mountain in the beautiful district of Sofia. A community of young people between the ages of 12 and 16 study, work and live together during the school term. Through actual experience they learn what it means to collaborate with each other and to live in a sustainable relationship with the earth.
There are three pillars to the students’ experience:
The great stories open up the study of the Earth, life and the human story. They put into context the child’s work in maths and language. Each story is the starting point for the subjects of physics, chemistry, geography, biology, history, art, music, languages, geometry and maths. A holistic framework and growing complexity is offered in each of these areas.
The school offers a strong academic programme with the emphasis on helping students to be independent thinkers and take ownership of their own learning. The young people are given the time, space and resources to pursue study to a high level. The young people are involved in decisions relating to most aspects of their daily life including budget management.
