Beverley and Jim McGhee established Alexander Montessori School in 1963. Beverley McGhee, the Superintendent of Schools, is a professional educator. When it came time to select an early childhood facility for her own two children, she was not satisfied with those available. In order to ensure her own children would have an excellent beginning, she founded Alexander Montessori School. From the outset, the School enjoyed the reputation as a place where children learned and where the Staff cared. She recognized early that the Montessori Method was best for children. She became certified as a Preschool Montessori Teacher and then as an Elementary Montessori Teacher. She has gathered around her teachers who share her dedication to providing a quality, caring educational environment for children, and who are motivated to be second to none. 
Mrs. McGhee did not plan to start a school that would become one of the largest and finest Montessori schools in the country, but from her own small beginnings, Alexander Montessori School has grown from that single kindergarten class into ten Montessori Children's Houses (for children ages 1½ to 6) on three campuses, with an additional six-acre Elementary campus for children ages 6 to 12. The school now enrolls over 560 students.
Children of alumni are now learning where their parents spent their formative years. Maria Montessori (1870 - 1952) envisioned and helped realize a new approach to education. The school follows her philosophy. Our task is to aid children in their work of self-creation, to help them become independent learners and thinkers. Our motto is "To Learn to Love to Learn."
| What is an Independent School? |
An Independent School is a Private School, but there is a difference. A Private School may be established with religious indoctrination as the primary objective and education of its children as the secondary objective. An Independent School has the education of its children as the primary objective.
An Independent School is free to structure its philosophy and programs unencumbered by political considerations. Its administration and Staff can move quickly to respond to the needs of its clients. It has the liberty to examine and adopt the most effective educational innovations and to constantly improve its performance without the necessity of routing its decisions through a management structure remote from the day-to-day operations of the school and from the people it serves.
| What does it mean to be an accredited school? |
A school is examined periodically by its professional peers in independent education who determine that it is doing what it represents itself to do, that it is a viable educational institution, and that it is operating in an ethical and professional manner. Alexander Montessori School is accredited by the following state, national, and international organizations:
SACS ~ Southern Association of Colleges and Schools |
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FCIS ~ Florida Council of Independent Schools |
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CITA ~ Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation |
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FKC ~ Florida Kindergarten Council |
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AISF ~ Association of Independent Schools of Florida |
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AMS ~ American Montessori Society |
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NIPSA ~ National Independent Private School Association |
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These highly respected agencies have a long and distinguished history of service to private education.
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| What is a Montessori School? |
Montessori Method and philosophy of education was formulated in the early 1900's by Dr. Maria Montessori, an Italian engineer, psychologist, physician, and anthropologist. She discovered that the purpose of education was not the imparting of knowledge by the teacher but the development of intellectual skills so that the children could acquire the knowledge by their own effort and thus make the knowledge truly their own.
In this unique type of school, the children are within a structured environment, filled with motivations for learning where they are free to choose their work and to learn to make decisions, where the development of a positive attitude in the child is the fundamental objective. The Montessori School uses specially designed learning materials and the children may be observed working individually, or in cooperation where they learn from each other. Alexander Montessori School is considered to be one of the premier Montessori schools in the world.
| Why choose an Independent school? |
Aside from the negatives of the alternative, the most important reason is that the parent wants to give the child the best opportunity to succeed and the Independent School affords that opportunity. The community of parents, teachers, and children in the Independent School are positively motivated toward education and proper social conduct. That community has a good work ethic and considers achievement important. Peer influence is positive. Everyone at the school is there because they believe in it and it is where they choose to be. These are some of the reasons why the Independent School affords the child a better foundation for academic success.
Alexander Montessori School is well known in Montessori circles worldwide, therefore many parents who are coming to Miami will determine if their children can enroll here before locating their homes. Our student population has children from many countries as well as children whose parents are long-time Miami residents. Many of Miami's most notable citizens have had or now have their children enrolled at Alexander Montessori School. The names of Alexander Montessori School alumni appear on the honor rolls of the prestigious preparatory schools and colleges of our nation. Call for a copy of the list.
Teachers are provided Assistants who relieve them of much routine so they can concentrate upon teaching and responding to the children's needs. The school's unique structure provides the children with an unusual opportunity to work at their own pace.
Spanish is important in South Florida. Children whose heritage is Spanish and who may speak it at home often do not develop appropriate skills in reading and writing this language. Our objective is to develop skills in conversational Spanish and to enhance the reading and writing skills in this language for native and non-native speakers of Spanish.
Computers are first introduced in Preschool where special software programs suited to this young age give the children their first experience with this device. In Lower and Middle School, children receive regular instruction in the Computer Lab.
Computers are also in the classrooms where they are used for reinforcement of academic skills. We have invested heavily in the equipment, software, and instruction, so our children have every opportunity to develop these essential skills.
| Extracurricular & Cultural Activities |
Music, Art, the Greek Olympics, the Art Show & Carnival, the Science Fair, the Spelling Bee, Student Government, Safety Patrol, Physical Education, Intramural Sports, Holiday Activities, and special performances throughout the year provide our children with the opportunity to develop the abilities of public speaking, to demonstrate special talents, to fulfill themselves outside the academic routine, and to enhance their enjoyment of the school experience. Children find Alexander Montessori School a happy, friendly, and challenging place.
| Four Beautiful Environments |
The Old Cutler Road Campus has been cited as one of the ideal preschool facilities in the country. Seven Children's Houses surround a shady courtyard and each has its own secure outdoor patio. The grounds are green, shady, and spacious, making a lovely place for outside play.
The Red Road Campus occupies an old Spanish-style house in a yard filled with trees and greenery, giving it a unique South Florida charm.
The Ludlam Road Campus, our Elementary location, is nestled on six acres containing shady groves, hammocks, and green playing fields. It is a quiet oasis conducive to a relaxed and safe learning environment.
The Palmetto Bay Campus is located directly across the street from the Palmetto Bay Village Center. This spacious house was built in 1906 and allows for learning and play in a beautifully serene, nurturing environment and playground area.
We take our students' and Staff's safety and security very seriously, as they are of the highest priority. Cameras monitor grounds at each Campus to complement the Security Guards posted at each Campus entrance. In addition, Thor Guard, the world's only lightning prediction system, is installed and in constant operation at every location.
Gulliver Schools, Palmer-Trinity School, and Ransom Everglades School are typical Miami college preparatory schools that our graduates attend after Alexander.
The following is a partial list of colleges and universities attended by Alexander Montessori School graduates:
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American University
Barry University
Bennington College
Boston College
Boston University
Bowdoin College
Brandeis University
Brown University
College of Charleston
College of William and Mary
College of Wooster
Columbia University
Cornell University
Dartmouth College
Davidson College
Duke University
Emerson College
Emory University
Florida International University
Florida State University
Furman University
Georgetown University
George Washington University
Georgia Technical Institute
Harvard University |
Indiana University
James Madison University
John Hopkins University
London School of Economics, UK
New College of Florida
Northwestern University
Oberlin College
Pennsylvania State University
Princeton University
Smith College
Trinity College
Tufts University
Tulane University
University of Alabama
University of Chicago
University of Colorado
University of Dominica
University of Florida
University of Miami
University of North Carolina
University of South Florida
University of Virginia
Washington University
Wesleyan University
Yale University |
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